Genetic Control by Dietary MicroRNA
My professional bias is towards science and reality based practice, so I’ve always had conflicting feelings about many nutrition claims, especially those involving adrenals and other organ extracts. I was skeptical of the concept and science, yet intrigued and impressed by the results of many respected colleagues who use what I am assured are high quality supplements from companies like Standard Process and Meta-genics with good results.
Turns out what we eat may actually turn on genes!
Scientific American recently reported on an article in Cell Research which found that microRNAs–short nucleotide sequences—pass from crop plants such as rice and wheat into the blood of humans who ate the food. Dr Zhang’s group reportedly found that mRNA “can also alter cell function:a specific rice microRNA was shown to bind and to inhibit the activity of receptors controlling the removal of LDL- “bad” cholesterol- from the bloodstream.”
DISCLAIMER: While I personally take and recommend nutritionals, I do not have a relationship with any nutrition company. But I suddenly have more respect for credible claims I cannot explain.
Vitamins, Minerals and mRNA, Scientific American, December 2011
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