Role of Epigenetics in Early Childhood Development

Abstract

Ayurveda places great emphasis on prevention and encourages the maintenance of health through close attention to balance in one’s life, right thinking, diet, lifestyle and the use of herbs. “Epigenetics” is an emerging area of scientific research that shows how environmental influences—children’s experiences—actually affect the expression of their genes. The term epigenetics came into general use in the early 1940s, when British embryologist Conrad Waddington used it to describe the interactions between genes and gene products, which direct development and give rise to an organism’s phenotype. Epigenetic changes are modifications to DNA that regulate whether genes are turned on or off. These modifications are attached to DNA and do not change the sequence of DNA building blocks. Recent research demonstrates there may be ways to reverse certain negative changes and restore healthy functioning. This paper thoroughly discusses how Ayurveda defines the science of epigenetics in its own terms and how we can regulate gene expression by following suggestions stated in Ayurvedic literature for healthy living.