Chapter 8 - Perinatal nutritional intervention: current and future perspectives

Abstract

Fetal and infancy periods are critical for growth and organ functional development; some factors during early life are able to produce harmful effects with long-term and even intergenerational consequences. Observational studies performed in humans and experimental studies in animal models have provided evidences about how alterations in the early nutritional environment will produce epigenetic disturbances involved in energy expenditure regulation, immune system, and other systemic effects, promoting the development of certain diseases. Nonetheless, there are few intervention studies carried out in humans, analyzing epigenetic changes and their role on disease development. Furthermore, in previous research the role of gut microbiota throughout signaling of its metabolites on the developmental patterns of immune system related-diseases and noncommunicable diseases has been less studied. Here, we update the knowledge available from the perinatal nutritional intervention studies performed. The results coming out from these studies are generating new opportunities for future early personalized prevention and therapeutical strategies.