6 things parents should do for their children

Every parent wants the best for their child, but sometimes it is difficult to know what the best actually is. However, the science of epigenetics can give us some clues about how to get the best out of our genetic information.

1. Prepare for conception

At the moment of conception, we pass on to our children not only half of our DNA, but also part of the epigenetic changes that have accumulated on this DNA during our lifetime. These are biochemical reactions that create marks on the DNA and change their course based on many factors (nutrition, lifestyle, environment, stress…). In doing so, they have the power to reduce or increase the activity of a number of genes, and even turn some of them completely off or on.

Therefore, it is advisable to try to “repair” our DNA before conception, i.e. to try to reverse the negative epigenetic changes in our body as much as possible, so that we pass on as few of them as possible to our future child.

There are a number of factors that can adversely affect the health or intellect of the child we are about to conceive. Here are some examples:

• If the father is obese at the time of conception, his children are at increased risk not only of obesity, but also of diabetes and certain cancers. In the case of the mother, this is most likely also true, but there research cannot separate the effect of her obesity before conception from the effect this has on the child during pregnancy.
• When a father is an alcoholic, not only does his children’s risk of addiction increase, but their intellect also decreases and behavioural disorders are more common.
• Children can also be negatively affected by poor nutrition of the parent.
• The fact that the parent is a smoker plays a big role, but so does the fact that the parent was exposed to increased stress or environmental toxins at the time of conception.

So, if you are going to conceive, you should try to improve your diet, avoid cigarettes and alcohol, play sports regularly and not stress for some time beforehand.

Our tip: if conception fails, negative epigenetic changes may also be to blame. This is especially true for potential parents at an older age, as the number of negative epigenetic changes generally increases with age. So trying to improve your epigenetic profile can help here too. For women, dietary supplements such as resveratrol and omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids are very useful, while men may benefit from astaxanthin or a combination of pomegranate and vitamin K2.

2. In pregnancy, give him nutrition and rest

The absolutely most important period in terms of epigenetics is intrauterine development. Therefore, if a woman is pregnant, she should take care to avoid anything that may damage the epigenetic profile of her offspring.

The basis should be a healthy, balanced diet. Excessive intake of sugars and fats is particularly harmful – it can lead not only to obesity in the future, but also to the development of attention and behavioural disorders (e.g. ADHD). Conversely, none of the key essential nutrients should be missing. Adequate intake of protein, vitamins (especially the so-called methyl donors, such as folic acid and vitamin B12), minerals, omega-3s and other nutrients is essential. The Mediterranean diet, for example, has proven benefits – if a woman eats it during pregnancy, her baby’s risk of developing the so-called metabolic syndrome, a metabolic disorder that can lead to diabetes or cardiovascular disease, for example, is reduced.

Of course, it should be a matter of course to avoid environmental toxins, including polluted air – the air pollutants that a pregnant woman inhales increase the risk of asthma in her future child, for example.

Our tip: Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids should be the main dietary supplement during pregnancy. A lack of omega-3 fatty acids can cause the baby to have a reduced intellect and suffer from behavioural and psychological problems. Intake of folic acid is essential, and vitamin D3 supplementation is advisable, especially in winter.

3. Breastfeed him as long as possible

Breast milk is not only a completely irreplaceable source of nutrients, but also has a significant positive epigenetic effect. This, for example, promotes the development of the child’s intellect, but it also increases the child’s protection against a number of serious diseases – for example, it reduces the risk of cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, immune disorders and obesity.

Our tip: the production of breast milk will help to support fenugreek or benedict.

4. Give him a healthy diet

Nutrition is one of the major epigenetic factors throughout life, but this is doubly true in childhood. A child needs a diet rich in protein, omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids and other essential nutrients. In contrast, the so-called Western diet, a diet rich in carbohydrates and animal fats, leads not only to obesity but also to a higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and other problems.

Our tip: In addition to omega-3s, a sufficient intake of vitamin D3 is essential for children.

5. Ensure he gets enough exercise

Children need plenty of exercise not only to prevent obesity and ensure proper development of the musculoskeletal system. In fact, movement is a very important epigenetic factor that reduces the rate of inflammatory processes in the body and protects against the development of many civilisation diseases. Young children need more than five hours of movement a day to ensure their healthy development!

6. Shower him with love

While strong traumas during childhood cause negative epigenetic changes that can lead to the development of depression or other diseases, for example, expressions of love have a clearly positive epigenetic effect. A child who feels loved is simply healthier and develops better. Not only are verbal expressions of love important, but also as much physical contact as possible. Children simply need to be spoiled!