Nutrition as an Epigenetic Modifier in Aging and Autoimmunity

The importance of macronutrients in determining late-life disease development is well accepted. Recent years have seen an increasing appreciation of the role that micronutrients play in physiology and immunology. While our understanding of the mechanistic basis of micronutrients and diseases remains rudimentary, it is increasingly clear that nutritional factors may interact with genes and gene products through the epigenetic interface. Epigenetic marks are established in early development. Although epigenetic drift occurs along the way as we age, in part due to environmental stressors including diet, it is worth remembering that the human body, including the immune system, is most vulnerable to epigenetic stressors in utero. While speculative, it is reasonable to postulate that environmental factors, rather than alteration to our genetic makeup, are the prime reason for the rising incidence of autoimmune diseases. The available data suggest the possibility that we may be able to reduce the burden of immune-mediated disease by dietary manipulation, particularly during the critical period of immune system development in utero, and through public health policies.