Abstract

MARTINEZ-LEYVA, Grecia; HERNANDEZ-UGALDE, Felipe  and  MARTIN-PASTRANA, Luanda. Epigenetics and chronic non-communicable diseases: a new preventive approach. Rev.Med.Electrón. [online]. 2023, vol.45, n.2, pp. 322-334.  Epub Apr 30, 2023. ISSN 1684-1824.

The prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases with high prevalence around the world, such arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, represents a health priority. The new perspective given by epigenetics on the intrauterine origin of the diseases that will affect the human being during the post-natal stage, forces us to reconsider a new preventive vision which must begin from the prenatal period of life. With the aim of structuring the theoretical references that support the relevance of a new preventive approach to chronic non-communicable diseases, based on modifying interventions of unfavorable epigenetic profiles during the prenatal stage of the human development, an updated search on the subject was conducted, consulting 28 bibliographic references. Maternal conditions during pregnancy, such as malnourishing, stress, toxic habits and obesity, constitute factors that cause unfavorable epigenetic modifications, which will be transmitted to future generations and will increase in them the risk of disease during the post-natal stage of life. It is concluded that the interventions carried out during the prenatal period of human development can contribute to the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases, to which epigenetics provides a new approach in the prevention of this important health problem.

Keywords : epigenetics; chronic non-communicable diseases; intrauterine origin of diseases; prevention.

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