Dutch scientists report in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology that an unhealthy lifestyle. In particular, the Western diet has a negative and persistent impact on the functions of the immune system.

A new study of scientists from the University of Leiden in the Netherlands demonstrates the importance of healthy nutrition, which affects the changes in the epigenome. In particular, the consequences of irrational nutrition extend to the immune system, and can persist for a long time even after food habits improve.

According to a new study conducted on the animal model, persistent negative changes in the functioning of the immune system occur mainly due to malnutrition - the diet is changing the way genes express themselves, including genes associated with immunity.

"The diet affects immune cells, and we demonstrated that inadequate nutrition can have serious health consequences, above all - to provoke the development of diseases with immune pathogenesis," said lead author of the study, an expert in epigenetics Van Kampen.

He encourages further research into the interaction between dietary habits, DNA methylation and the development of chronic diseases. Epigenetic changes in gene expression, ultimately, also increase the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular pathologies.

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