Micronutrients in early life and offspring metabolic health programming: a promising target for preventing non-communicable diseases

Abstract

Chronic non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Developing and implementing effective preventive strategies is the best way to ensure the overall metabolic health status of the population and to counter the global burden of non-communicable diseases. Predisposition to obesity and other non-communicable diseases is due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors throughout life, but the early environment, particularly the environment during the fetal period and the early years of life, is crucial in determining metabolic health, hence the concept of ‘fetal programming’. The origins of this causal link between environmental factors and disease lie in epigenetic mechanisms. Among the environmental factors, diet plays a crucial role in this process. Substantial evidence documented the key role of macronutrients in the programming of metabolic diseases early in life. Recently, the effect of maternal micronutrient intake on offspring metabolic health in later life emerged. The purpose of this narrative review is to bring to light available evidence in the literature on the effect of maternal micronutrient status on offspring metabolic health and underlying epigenetic mechanisms that drive this link to highlight its potential role in the prevention of non-communicable diseases.