Lifestyle

Study Finds: A Mother’s Healthy Diet Can Ensure Good Brain Health Of Her Grandchildren

Mothers who eat apples and herbs during their early pregnancy could be protecting the brain health of their children and grandchildren, a Monash University study using genetic models has found.

The discovery is part of a project that found a mother’s diet can affect not just her child’s brain but also those of her grandchildren.

Published in Nature Cell Biology, the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute study found that certain foods could help prevent the deterioration of brain function.

This study used roundworms (Caenorhabditis elegans) as the genetic model because many of their genes are also found in humans, allowing insights into human cells.

The researchers found that a certain molecule present in apples and herbs such as basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and sage helped in reducing the breakdown of communication cables needed for the brain to work properly.

Senior professor Roger Pocock, with his team, investigated nerve cells in the brain that connect with each other through about 8,50,000 kilometres of cables called axons. For axons to function and survive, essential materials need to be transported along an internal structure that contains microtubules.

Pocock explained that a malfunction that caused the axons to become fragile can lead to brain dysfunction and neurodegeneration.

He said his team used a genetic model with fragile axons that break as animals age. “We tried to find whether natural products found in the diet can stabilise these axons and prevent breakage,” he explained.

“We identified a molecule found in apples and herbs that reduces axon fragility — ursolic acid. How? We found that ursolic acid causes a gene to turn on that makes a specific type of fat. This particular fat also prevented axon fragility as animals age by improving axon transport and therefore its overall health.” Pocock said this type of fat, known as a sphingolipid, had to travel from the mother’s intestine, where food is digested, to eggs in the uterus for it to protect axons in the next generation. He said while the results were promising, they still need to be confirmed in humans.

“This is the first time that a lipid/fat has been shown to be inherited,” he said. “Further, feeding the mother the sphingolipid protects the axons of two subsequent generations. This means a mother’s diet can affect not just their offspring’s brain but potentially subsequent generations. Our work supports a healthy diet during pregnancy for optimal brain development and health,” Pocock said.

Also Read: Pakistan Cricket Team Confirms Participation In ODI World Cup After Government’s Approval

Source PTI

Bharat Express English

Recent Posts

Self-Reliant Defence Industry Marks India’s Strategic Security Ascent

One year into Modi 3.0, reforms have reduced poverty, strengthened defence, and accelerated the digital…

21 seconds ago

Survey Shows Over 88% Indians Trust PM Modi On National Interest & Security

A recent News18 survey reveals that more than 88 per cent of Indians trust Prime…

27 mins ago

PM Modi: NDA Government Has Redefined Women-Led Development Over 11 Years

Marking 11 years of the NDA govt at the Centre, PM Modi stated that women-led…

58 mins ago

Team India Begins Training In England Ahead Of Test Series Opener

Team India, led by new captain Shubman Gill, has commenced training in England ahead of…

1 hour ago

Five Districts In Manipur Face Internet Shutdown Following Unrest

Manipur suspended internet in five districts for five days after protests over arrest of a…

4 hours ago

Shashi Tharoor Criticises Pakistan: “In Pakistan You Get Rewarded For Promoting Terrorism”

Shashi Tharoor condemns Pakistan’s treatment of Dr Shakil Afridi, who helped the US locate Osama…

4 hours ago