Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics

Food nutrients can have a consequence on human health through epigenetic modifications. This can occur due to DNA methylation and histone modification. Diet can directly have an impact on methylation patterns and gene expression. This is due to the dependence of DNA methylation mechanism on compounds derived from dietary sources, such as choline and folate. Further, dietary components can influence epigenetic events and alter gene expression, thereby disrupting functions such as metabolic balance, appetite control and fuel utilization. Different organs have their unique developmental stages. Any compromise in their development can predispose individuals to certain diseases. The prenatal and perinatal periods are believed to be important stages where nutrition is most vital. However, nutritional intake during adulthood can also significantly affect the epigenome. Cancer is a disease that is most commonly associated with adult nutrition. There has been rapid progress in the understanding of the association between genes and nutrition in recent years. From theories to research to practical applications, case studies related to all contemporary topics of relevance to this domain have been included in this book. It is a complete source of knowledge on the present status of nutrigenomics.