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Epigenetic Metabolic Imprinting

Meaning

The process where environmental and nutritional factors, particularly during early developmental periods, induce stable, heritable changes in gene function that do not involve alterations to the DNA sequence itself, thereby permanently programming metabolic function. This imprinting establishes a long-term “memory” in metabolic tissues, influencing the lifelong risk for conditions like insulin resistance and obesity. It represents a powerful, non-genetic mechanism linking lifestyle and environment to metabolic health outcomes.