The Nutriepigenome

Abstract

Unlike genetic changes, epigenetics modulates gene expression without stable modification of the genome. Even though all cells, including sperm and egg, have an epigenome pattern, most of these modifications occur during lifetime and interestingly, some of them, are reversible. Lifestyle and especially nutrients as well as diet regimens are presently gaining importance due to their ability to affect the epigenome. On the other hand, since the epigenome profoundly affects gene expression profile it can be speculated that the epigenome could modulate individual response to nutrients. Recent years have thus seen growing interest on nutrients, macronutrients ratio and diet regimens capable to affect the epigenetic pattern. In fact, while genetic alterations are mostly detrimental at the individual level, reshaping the epigenome may be a feasible strategy to positively counteract the detrimental effect of aging. Here, I review nutrient consumption and diet regimens as a possible strategy to counteract aging-driven epigenome derangement.

Keywords: epigenetic diet; functional diet; nutrients affecting epigenome; phytochemicals.

Figure 1

The multiple effects of vitamin D. The interaction between vitamin D and its receptor (VDR) induces the latter to switch from the corepressor to the coactivator-bound form. Activated VDR acts at multiple levels to modify chromatin status: CTCF activation, histone post-translational modification and chromatin’s 3D structure.