Epigenetics and Metabolic Health: How Your Genes Remember What Your Grandmother Ate

The presentation will explore how environmental exposures and nutrition create heritable methylation marks that influence metabolic health across generations.

Through landmark studies including the Agouti mice experiments and Dutch Hunger Winter we will examine how methylation acts as both a vulnerability and protective mechanism, offering practical strategies for optimizing metabolic health from preconception through healthy aging.

Key Learning Objectives

By the end of this presentation, attendees will:

• The Three Pillars of Inheritance – DNA sequence (the Code), Methylation marks (the Switches), and Mitochondrial DNA
• Landmarks studies: i) Agouti Mice – BPA exposure, the melanocortin system, AgRP connection, and how methyl-donor nutrients protect against obesity ii) Dutch Hunger Winter – Lasting health impacts of famine across generations through altered DNA methylation patterns
• Personalized Nutrition and Lifestyle – Why one size doesn’t fit all (MTHFR, genetic variants). Pro-methylation nutrients vs. anti-methylation toxins. Critical windows from preconception through healthy aging.