The latest genetic research reveals: plants communicate with our body, change our gene expression, and influence our evolution. These findings are laying new foundations of genetics and the role of nutrition in the field. They are bringing us some amazing news, but also a serious warning!
What are Exosomes?
In this decade, scientists have discovered exosomes—cellular structures that transfer genetic information between cells and organisms.
Plants communicate with humans via exosomes. As it turns out, plant exosomes can even survive digestion, enter our bloodstream, and fine-tune our cellular functions.
They contain molecules called microRNAs—single-stranded messengers that don’t code for proteins but instead impact gene expression. Scientists have finally discovered the role of microRNAs, which marked a new era of genetic research.
In other words, the food we eat doesn’t just provide essential nutrients; it also acts as information and regulates our gene expression.
New Research
This study, published in 2017, found significant amounts of plant microRNAs in human blood samples. These exosome-derived molecules can “match up with hundreds of human gene targets,” according to the authors.
This short animation sums up the role of extracellular RNA:
One more recent study has confirmed that microRNAs from maize can survive digestion and enter the bloodstream. They mimic endogenous RNAs and influence the gene expression in a similar way. Harsh cooking conditions reduced the amount of RNAs, but their presence and effect remained significant.
Microorganisms can greatly affect one’s wellbeing – read about them here!
In recent years, scientists have been discovering the important roles of plant exosomes and microRNAs in our body. One type found in rice can bind to specific receptors and regulate our LDL-cholesterol metabolism. That study presents one more “evidence of cross-kingdom regulation by microRNA.“
This amazing communication between plants and humans dates back to our origins. Last year, a group of scientists analyzed microRNA samples from plants and mammals and found incredible matching; we share entire “families” of these signaling molecules. These findings “suggest a common origin over vasts periods of evolution.”
We have been co-evolving with plants and their genetic information is integrating into our genome. No wonder they can communicate with our body and regulate our genes! A great way to integrate more benefits of plants into your diet is simply by drinking herbal tea.
Healing Potential of Exosomes
Researchers are now utilizing the amazing properties of exosomes. These structures are shaping up to become the future of gene therapy. Plant-derived exosomes can:
- Regenerate our cells and tissues
- Stimulate stem cell production
- Act as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agents
- Inhibit the growth of cancer cell
Intestinal Health
In this experiment, scientists derived exosome-like nano-particles from grapes. They treated mice with ulcerative colitis (colon inflammation) with these nano-particles and got amazing results. These particles stimulated the production of gut stem cells and protected the mice from inflammation. The authors observed “a striking improvement of the wasting disease.”
Ginger, carrot, and grapefruit also have amazing healing potential. Exosomes from these plants reduce oxidative damage and inflammation, keeping the intestines healthy.
These results promise a lot, given that gut inflammation hides beneath many auto-immune diseases like Chron’s, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, etc.
Remember to stay hydrated! Find out more here.
Cancer Treatment
You often hear about how big pharmaceutical companies spend billions on genetic research, pursuing the magic pill for cancer. Guess what? The answer might be in broccoli. MicroRNAs from this super-healthy plant offer a new solution for breast cancer patients. This study showed that microRNA from broccoli “significantly suppress the growth of breast tumors.”
Exosomes can also be used as drug-delivery and targeting systems as well. Flavonoids from berries offer amazing health benefits, but our bodies sometimes don’t absorb them well. Scientists have derived exosomes from milk to deliver flavonoids and treat ovarian cancer. Their results promise a lot—the exosomes suppressed the growth of cancer cells and greatly improved the outcomes.
The Rise of Herbal Medicine
Studies once again confirm that nature has a cure for every disease. Now that we understand plants all the way to their genes, a new era of herbal medicine is about to begin. If we combine latest technological discoveries with nature’s healing power, possibilities are endless.
A New Perspective on GMO Food Safety
However, this story has a dark side, too. You might have already guessed it— GMOs. These three letters have been sparking huge debates in scientific and healthcare circles for years.
Corporations at the Heart of the Issue
Monsanto, a famous food giant, presents its GMO crops as “substantially equal.“ They even have the support of regulatory agencies like the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). But with the emerging evidence of genetic communication between plants and humans, it’s time to re-investigate these claims.
Corporations like Monsanto claim that GMO crops have a nutritive profile similar to natural crops; thus, their safety should be equal. If we look at plants from an old point of view and consider only their nutrient content, this assumption may sound legit. However, we are now gaining a completely new perspective on plants and their ability to influence our genes.
New GMO Technologies
In the midst of these amazing genetic discoveries, the EPA approved the latest patent from Monsanto. The GMO giant designed a type of corn with a genetically modified RNA structure.
The new GMO corn can produce a pesticide on its own and kill the corn rootworm. This parasite costs the food industry so much that they call it a billion-dollar bug. Monsanto definitely counts on their GMO corn to become a billion-dollar patent.
How do GMOs impact our genes and health?
If mRNA molecules from plants play such important roles in our health, you wouldn’t want them to be modified in the lab, right? Many studies have confirmed that plant microRNA molucules mimic ours and regulate our genes. Can you imagine potential implications of messing with this sophisticated genetic machinery?
If the mRNAs in Monsanto’s GMO corn code for pesticides, what could they code for in our bodies? We should all ask these questions before accepting GMO food as a world-saving innovation.
Here are a few more questions to ask yourself about the way you live your life, and common sense ways to improve it.
A take-home message
Recent discoveries are shifting our perspective on plants, nutrition, and genetics. Plants don’t just provide us with nutrients— they communicate with our cells, influence our gene expression, and stimulate our defensive mechanisms. These findings should remind us about our inextricable connection with nature.
The phrase “you are what you eat” has taken on a deeper meaning with these recent findings. Next time you eat, imagine your body downloading a new software and re-programming itself. Do you want to install nature’s organic firewall, or catch a man-made GMO malware?
Credits
References
- Liu, Y., Chen, W., Kung, W. and Huang, H. (2017). Plant miRNAs found in human circulating system provide evidences of cross kingdom RNAi. BMC Genomics, 18(S2). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5374554/
- Luo, Y., et al. (2017). Detection of dietetically absorbed maize-derived microRNAs in pigs. Scientific Reports, 7(1). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5428504/
- Zhang, L., et al. (2011). Exogenous plant MIR168a specifically targets mammalian LDLRAP1: evidence of cross-kingdom regulation by microRNA. Cell Research, 22(1), pp.107-126. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21931358
- Zhao, Y., Cong, L. and Lukiw, W. (2017). Plant and Animal microRNAs (miRNAs) and Their Potential for Inter-kingdom Communication. Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, 38(1), pp.133-140. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28879580
- Ju, S., et al. (2013). Grape Exosome-like Nanoparticles Induce Intestinal Stem Cells and Protect Mice From DSS-Induced Colitis. Molecular Therapy, 21(7), pp.1345-1357. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23752315
- Mu, J., et al. (2014). Interspecies communication between plant and mouse gut host cells through edible plant derived exosome-like nanoparticles. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 58(7), pp.1561-1573. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24842810/
- Chin, A., et al. (2016). Cross-kingdom inhibition of breast cancer growth by plant miR159. Cell Research, 26(2), pp.217-228. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26794868
- Aqil, F., et al. (2017). Exosomal delivery of berry anthocyanidins for the management of ovarian cancer. Food & Function, 8(11), pp.4100-4107. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/28991298/?i=2&from=/28202351/related
- US EPA. (2017). EPA Registers Innovative Tool to Control Corn Rootworm | US EPA. [online] Available at: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-registers-innovative-tool-control-corn-rootworm
Author
Aleksa Ristic
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