An offspring's health starts before conception, Shiao-Yng Chan

Early life events has been recognized to shape an individual's future health and well-being. It has been hypothesized that earlier exposure to environmental factors has greater impact on future outcomes. Minimal changes from early life can lead to significant consequences later, with epigenetic mechanisms playing a key role. Apart from genetic makeup, both maternal and paternal lifestyle prior to pregnancy have significant influence on the initial environment of a growing infant. The NiPPeR (Nutritional Intervention Preconception and During Pregnancy to Maintain Healthy Glucose Metabolism and Offspring Health) investigated the effects of a nutritional formulation containing myo-inositol, probiotics and multiple micronutrients (intervention), compared with a standard micronutrient supplement (control), taken preconception and throughout pregnancy. While it only resulted in small changes in maternal health status, it also shows the potential to tremendously impact the shaping of the long-term health of an individual and building resilience against non-communicable chronic diseases.