Daddy's diet matters: Poor eating habits can harm children
Lack of protein in a father's diet affects sperm quality which in turn impacts the long-term health of offsprings.
By PTI |
ThinkStock Photos
LONDON: Lack of protein in a father's diet affects sperm quality which can have a direct impact on the long-term health of their offspring, a study has found. Researchers at the University of Nottingham in the UK fed male mice a poor quality diet which resulted in their offspring becoming over-weight, with symptoms of type 2 diabetes and reduced expression of genes which regulate the metabolism of fat.
The study, published in the journal PNAS, shows that both sperm and the fluid they are carried in (seminal plasma) from male mice fed a low protein diet could affect the long-term metabolic health of their offspring.
There has been much research showing that sperm from men who are overweight, smoke, drink excessively or who have type 2 diabetes are often of poorer quality than sperm from healthy, fertile men.
Be Cautious This Season: Superfoods To Boost Immunity And Keep You Healthy
1/15
Monsoon is here and so are the diseases. The change in season can result in various viral infections, flus and poor health conditions.
The tricky season can lead to various health problems like sore throat, itchy nose, sneeze, ceaseless cough, common cold, and many water-borne diseases like typhoid, gastroenteritis, food poisoning, diarrhoea, malaria and dengue.
While regular exercising and staying hydrated is important, it is crucial to consume the right foods to strengthen your immunity and beat the illness this season.
Dolly Kumar, founder and director of Gaia; Eesha Kanade, Obino's health coach; Luke Coutinho, MD in alternative medicine & holistic nutritionist; and holistic health guru Dr Mickey Mehta share a list of best immunity-boosting foods that will keep you healthy.
Monsoon is here and so are the diseases. The change in season can result in various viral infections, flus and poor health conditions.The tricky season can lead to various health problems like sore t..
Read More
Hony is the best remedy to cure a sore throat. Grate half a ginger, add a spoonful of honey and you have the perfect home-made remedy for sore throat. Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, it is a great substitute to sugar. It is also cholesterol-free and sodium-free. A spoonful of honey in warm water is one of the perfect ingredients to solve many of your health problems like high blood pressure, blood purification, etc.
Hony is the best remedy to cure a sore throat. Grate half a ginger, add a spoonful of honey and you have the perfect home-made remedy for sore throat. Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, it ..
Read More
Neem helps boost your immune system while cooling down your body internally. It possesses both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that help keep your skin clean, radiant and healthy. Neem also has blood-purifying properties. It helps clear toxins and impurities from the blood leaving you with a strengthened immune system.
Neem helps boost your immune system while cooling down your body internally. It possesses both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that help keep your skin clean, radiant and healthy. Neem also..
Read More
Keeping yourself nourished from the inside is very important. Indulge in a hearty bowl of oats. Rich in dietary fibre and protein, oats are a low-calorie food that keeps you fuller for longer. It also helps manage cholesterol levels, maintain healthy body weight, and reduce the risk of blood sugar and diabetes.
Keeping yourself nourished from the inside is very important. Indulge in a hearty bowl of oats. Rich in dietary fibre and protein, oats are a low-calorie food that keeps you fuller for longer. It als..
Read More
Green Tea contains powerful anti-oxidants and nutrients that help regulate blood sugar, improve brain function and enhance metabolism. This ’super-drink’ also has essential minerals, bioactive compounds and fat-burning qualities. It also helps in increasing the detoxification process in the body and aids in weight loss.
Green Tea contains powerful anti-oxidants and nutrients that help regulate blood sugar, improve brain function and enhance metabolism. This ’super-drink’ also has essential minerals, bioactive compou..
Read More
Olive oil is a great alternative to regular cooking oil. It is rich in monosaturated fatty-acids and has a light texture that would compliment with your dish perfectly. Packed with anti-oxidants, it also reduces the risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and breast cancer.
Olive oil is a great alternative to regular cooking oil. It is rich in monosaturated fatty-acids and has a light texture that would compliment with your dish perfectly. Packed with anti-oxidants, it ..
Read More
It helps improve gut health, digestion and absorption of nutrients. Yogurt, beet sauerkraut, kefir, garlic and onion are grest probiotic options to consume. It allows the good intestinal bacteria to flourish which further synthesises Vitamin B12 for a healthier gut.
It helps improve gut health, digestion and absorption of nutrients. Yogurt, beet sauerkraut, kefir, garlic and onion are grest probiotic options to consume. It allows the good intestinal bacteria to ..
Read More
Garlic is a potent anti-bacterial and anti-viral food, thanks to the naturally present allicin. Consuming a preparation of honey and crushed garlic every morning can keep you healthy and strong.
Garlic is a potent anti-bacterial and anti-viral food, thanks to the naturally present allicin. Consuming a preparation of honey and crushed garlic every morning can keep you healthy and strong.
Carrot contains high level of beta-carotene which acts as an antioxidant. It is a good detoxifier and has the ability to regenerate enzymes in the liver.
Carrot contains high level of beta-carotene which acts as an antioxidant. It is a good detoxifier and has the ability to regenerate enzymes in the liver.
Make sure you consume dates, apricots, groundnuts, almonds, pine nuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and others regularly for a healthier life. They are rich in Omega-3, zinc and magnesium which helps boost immunity. It also enables absorption of fat soluble vitamins like A, D, E, K .
Make sure you consume dates, apricots, groundnuts, almonds, pine nuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and others regularly for a healthier life. They are rich in Omega-3, zinc and magnesium which help..
"It is well understood that what a mother eats during pregnancy can affect the development and health of her child," said Adam Watkins, an assistant professor at the University of Nottingham.
"Our research using mice shows that at the time of conception, the diet and well-being of the father influences the long-term growth and metabolic health of his offspring," said Watkins.
ADVERTISEMENT
The study found that males fed a low-protein diet produced sperm with fewer chemical tags on their DNA that regulate gene expression than mice fed a normal diet.
Researchers also observed that the seminal plasma suppressed maternal uterine inflammatory and immunological responses, essential for a healthy pregnancy.
They believe that the health of a father's offspring is affected both by the quality of a father's genetic information passed on within the sperm at conception, and by the seminal plasma-primed maternal uterine environment in which the embryo will develop.
