Nutriepigenomics or Nutritional Epigenomics refers to diet-induced epigenetic modifications that alter chromatin structure and gene function leading to long term health outcomes.

 

Epigenetics literally means 'on top of the genome ' and consists of the molecular events controlling gene expression that are independent of changes in the underlying DNA sequence. These events include DNA methylation, covalent histone modifications, and non-coding RNA-related mechanisms. Epigenetic changes can switch genes on and off, with simultaneous dynamics and plasticity.

 

Epigenetic modifications of DNA (DNA methylation) have been shown to contribute to the etiology of chronic diseases with cancer at the forefront. DNA methylation is dynamic and serves as an adaptive mechanism to a wide variety of environmental factors including diet. 

 

Whereas some epigenetic alterations can persist throughout the life of the organism, others are passed through the germline resulting in epigenetic transgenerational disease inheritance.