Marwa Abdelrasoul Zaied, Head of the Department of Medical Oncology at the Birket Elsaba General Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“What if the food on your plate could switch your cancer-related genes ON or OFF… and protect your mental health at the same time?
Sounds powerful? It’s not science fiction – it’s epigenetics.
On World Mental Health Day, it’s time to look at mental well-being not just as an emotional state… but as a biological system we can influence through daily choices.
Chronic stress, inflammation, and poor nutrition can activate harmful gene pathways linked to both mood disorders and cancer development.
On the other hand, nourishing your body with the right nutrients can promote protective gene expression, improve resilience, and support long-term prevention.
Science-backed nutritional allies:
- Omega-3 fatty acids (fatty fish): modulate inflammation and support brain health.
- Polyphenols (berries, green tea, dark chocolate): reduce oxidative stress and protect DNA.
- Folate and magnesium (leafy greens, legumes): boost neurotransmitter synthesis and DNA repair.
- Probiotics (fermented foods): balance the gut-brain axis, influencing mood and immunity.
Mental health is not separate from physical health.
Your daily meals can become a powerful epigenetic tool – shaping your mood, protecting your genes, and reducing cancer risk over time.”
Title: Epigenetic modulation by life-style: advances in diet, exercise, and mindfulness for disease prevention and health optimization
Authors: José Ostaiza-Cardenas, Andrea C. Tobar, Stefany Carolina Costa, Diana Sofia Calero, Alisson López-Carrera, Fátima German Bermúdez, Andrea Orellana-Manzano
Read the Full Article in Frontiers in Nutrition.
More posts featuring Marwa Abdelrasoul Zaied on OncoDaily.
