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Nutritional Epigenetics

Meaning

Nutritional epigenetics is the scientific discipline studying how dietary components and nutritional status can influence gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence. This field investigates the mechanisms by which specific micronutrients and bioactive food compounds modulate epigenetic marks, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, thereby impacting the risk for chronic diseases and influencing long-term health and longevity. It establishes a direct, tangible link between diet and the functional expression of the human genome.