What is the Origin of Epinutrients?

The term combines "epi-" meaning above or upon, referring to epigenetics, and "nutrients," signifying their dietary source and essential nature. This concept is central to the emerging field of nutritional genomics, forging a direct link between diet, gene regulation, and long-term hormonal health.

What is the Mechanism of Epinutrients?

Epinutrients function by acting as cofactors or direct inhibitors/activators of key epigenetic enzymes, such as DNA methyltransferases and histone deacetylases. For example, folate and B12 are methyl donors crucial for DNA methylation patterns, directly influencing which genes are transcribed and subsequently impacting hormonal synthesis and metabolism pathways.

Epinutrients ∞ Area

Epinutrients

Meaning

Dietary compounds, including essential vitamins, minerals, and bioactive phytochemicals, that possess the capacity to influence gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence. These nutritional factors directly modulate epigenetic mechanisms, profoundly impacting the phenotypic outcome of an individual’s genetic code and subsequent hormonal milieu.