April 23/Adelaide, Australia/Technology News Focus -- According to a study from Adelaide, Australia, "The evidence that genome damage is increased with dietary excess or deficiency is compelling. Furthermore, the results of numerous well-designed animal model and human epidemiological studies indicate that genome and epigenome damage is a fundamental cause of developmental and degenerative diseases."
"Conversely, genome instability, in the absence of overt exposure of genotoxins, is itself a sensitive marker of nutritional deficiency or excess. We have shown in a cross-sectional study that above-average intake of micronutrients that are found in dairy foods (i.e., calcium, vitamin E, retinol, folate and nicotinic acid) is associated with reduced genome damage rate in lymphocytes measured using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. This data also suggest that increased intake of cheese and cream contributes significantly to lower DNA damage in lymphocytes; however, this statistical association does not prove causality. Intervention trials in animal models and humans are needed to identify the type of dairy foods and fractions that are best suited for DNA damage prevention at the various stages of life," wrote M. Fenech and colleagues.