The environmental factors surrounding a fetus can affect the genetic makeup of the child. According to Dr. Richard Belliveau, the "interaction with social environment, various life experiences ( good ones or traumatic ones), and what we eat all play a huge role in our genetic makeup and how we act." The study of epigenetics tells us that genes are altered by lifestyle.
A mother's diet has a major influence on the fetus. But what about a father's diet?
Two recent studies suggest that the father's eating habits can influence the development of the fetus, even predisposing him or her to certain illnesses. Animal research shows that children whose fathers ate a high fat diet developed an intolerance to sugar; they also have a compromised insulin response. Animals whose fathers ate a normal diet did not show these changes.
Other studies have also shown that children whose fathers ate a low protein diet developed irregularities in genes involved in metabolizing fats and cholesterol.
As parents, what we eat can influence our children! The responsibility is on us to adopt a healthy lifestyle!
More on Dr. Belliveau's article can be found here.
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