Scimex: An Australian-led study has discovered the mechanism behind why a
high-fibre diet helps to protect a mouse mother's pups against asthma.
The researchers found that the compounds that come from digested fibre
can actually suppress certain genes involved in immune responses - which
are linked to human asthma - in her offspring, making them less
susceptible to immune-related airway problems. A mechanism by which a high-fibre diet during pregnancy in mice can
increase the chances of offspring growing up asthma-free is reported in
Nature Communications this week. The study shows a relationship between
fibre metabolites from the female mouse's diet and the epigenetic
suppression of certain allergic immune responses in her offspring.
