myelin production and its effect on nerve conduction and subsequent development

[Guest guest]

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2004;13(Suppl):S29.

(NOTE: Even though this is from last year, I was struck by the

mention of iron and the development of myelin production and its

effect on nerve conduction and subsequent development. See 2nd to

last paragraph especially. Just passing on some research information.

~ Gretchen

" We are what we eat " .

Cleghorn GJ.

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Queensland,

Royal Children's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, Australia.

Good nutrition continues to be the cornerstone for survival, health

and appropriate development for current and succeeding generations.

Well-nourished children perform better in school, grow into healthy

adults and in turn give their children a better start in life. When

considering any aspect of nutrition it should be possible to examine

both the macro and micronutrient implications.

Over the past few years there has been significant advance made in

the provision of macronutrients and hence energy in an attempt to

improve infant mortality and reduce protein energy malnutrition. Yet

the continued lack of food does still result in significant stunting

and wasting in many parts of the world.

During the recent World Summit, both the World Health Organisation

and UNICEF, have targeted micro nutrient deficiency, in particular,

iodine deficiency, vitamin A deficiency and iron deficiency. They

have set international goals to reduce and or eradicate these

nutritional deficiencies. Each of these will be discussed in some

detail in particular in their respective relationships with

subsequent neurological development.

Evidence will be shown to relate each of these areas to a common

thread, namely, to myelin production and its effect on nerve

conduction and subsequent development.

There has also been considerable interest over the past few years in

the relationship between perinatal and infant nutrition and

subsequent adult disease patterns. Studies by Barker & others have

shown that small body size at birth and during infancy are associated

with increased rates of coronary heart disease and its major

biological risk factors: - raised blood pressure, - impaired glucose

tolerance and - abnormalities in lipid metabolism and - blood

coagulation These findings led to the fetal origins hypothesis, which

proposes that coronary heart disease originates through fetal

adaptations to under nutrition.