Prenatal maternal diet affects asthma risk in offspring
This is an important article to consider. This mouse study raises the possibility that the push for periconceptual folic acid supplementation may be contributing to asthma, not ONLY in the offspring, but in the subsequent generation via epigenetic modification. Pretty heavy stuff.
Now, before we jump on the bandwagon of avoiding prenatal vitamins, I have a few comments. First, nothing happens in a vacuum. If this relationship holds true, would paying heightened attention to other known in-utero and early childhood exposures provide an overall positive benefit despite methyl donors like folic acid during pregnancy? The answer is highly likely to be yes–many times deficiencies or excesses have greater impacts in the setting of other physiological challenges, producing an additive effect.
Next, might this mean that we need to pay more attention to SNP testing for methylation genes and identify those in need of supplementation during pregnancy? Again, the answer would be yes.