Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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Loaded question I know, but this is a really interesting piece on DNA being changed by the foods we eat.

We Incorporate Genetic Information From the Food We Eat, New Study Finds

flag	asked Sep 22 2011 at 11:32 Harry 1,086●2●11

Link goes to Popsci.com if anyone's nervous about clicking it! – John Naruwan Sep 22 2011 at 11:43

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Um, other foods probably do this too – Bread-Eating Beelzebub Sep 22 2011 at 12:01

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here is a better article blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/09/21/… – Bread-Eating Beelzebub Sep 22 2011 at 12:05

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free fulltext nature.com/cr/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/… – Bread-Eating Beelzebub Sep 22 2011 at 12:06

Welcome to the fascinating world of epigenetics. – Simibee Sep 22 2011 at 12:29

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majkinetor · Answer 1 · 2011-09-22 11:59:12Z UTC

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DNA is not being changed, you read it wrong and the title is stupid. Its about miRNAs, very short nucleotide sequences that suppress specific gene. So you may get your DNA expression changed for some short time since miRNAs are degraded by the cell.

The fact that "MicroRNA is also used in the genetic engineering of crops, as a method of RNA interference." has nothing to do with this. To be constantly prohibiting, miRNA gene has to be inserted into the organism's genome which is done via virus or bacterial plasmid.

answered Sep 22 2011 at 11:59

majkinetor

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Does this mean that we're not ushering in a terrifying new era of rice-human hybrids? – coldhandinmine Sep 22 2011 at 12:10

This is how foods change epigenetics switches......its heavily influenced by methylaion and acetylation. – The Quilt Sep 22 2011 at 12:23

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Dietary nucleic acids are digested by pancreatic enzymes. Since they are large molecules I doubt they can cross the epithelium per se. Now, if you have leaky gut you could probably get some of it 'imported' which then have to enter cell, then enter nucleus and survive degradation inside the cell. So, I think not, terrifying new era of rice-human hybrids is probably out of question. I will research this further as lots of anti-GMO claims don't make much sense. – majkinetor Sep 22 2011 at 12:24

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Its more probable that GMO food bad effects are due to the effects on environment and also the fact that protein isn't digested to single amino-acids but polypeptides which also have biological role (thats why protein shakes are not equal to live protein). Now, I am not sure if small RNAs can escape digestion, couldn't find anything about it so far. miRNAs are typically around 20 bases long. I think leaky gut due to the plant lectins is probably to blame for intrusion... – majkinetor Sep 22 2011 at 12:27

Anyway, if true that miRNA can survive digestion and get imported into nucleous, then that doesn't mean it has negative effect guarantied, but GMO changed miRNAs might since they are not selected by evolution. You could be proactive and limit extensive usage of any food. – majkinetor Sep 22 2011 at 12:35

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Nemesis · Answer 2 · 2011-09-22 11:43:18Z UTC

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But the Chinese eat rice with virtually every meal. I eat it >1x per every other week, and even then only a serving's worth. Not enough to make a difference ;)

answered Sep 22 2011 at 11:43

Nemesis
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animalcule · Answer 3 · 2011-09-22 11:58:18Z UTC

I think my DNA is already done changed... I grew up eating lots of 'healthy whole grains' and I ate a crappy grain-based diet until just 2 years ago. And low LDL runs in my family, anyway. Mine is in the 80s. I need starch, so. I'm sure any vegetation leaves it's mark - I'm probably just full of spinach (my favorite).

Epigenetics is fascinating, isn't it?

Will you continue eating rice after this piece of news?

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