By Clare Tweedy
Changes that we acquire in genes during our lifetime have long been linked with how we age. Yet recent research by Newcastle University has concluded that these changes can be affected by our diet. The choice of what we eat can have effects not just on our body weight and general health, but also on ageing. The changes to our genes, also known as epigenetic markers, were found to be altered depending on which diet the person followed. It has been found that selenium and vitamin D were able to reduce these changes, whereas high folate levels increased them.
Other studies complement these findings, as high folate levels have previously been linked to the epigenetic changes that lead to bowel cancer. While this particular study focused on the link of bowel cancer and our diet, it will be possible in the future to link many diseases with epigenetic markers. The research highlights how we can possibly protect ourselves from a range of diseases by something as simple as our diet.
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