Tools for Training

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela

The most exciting part about preparing to become a Registered Dietitian is constantly learning. As a seeker of knowledge, becoming a part of a community of professionals who are devoted to being up to date with the current research and trends is invigorating. That means there will always be room to grow throughout the course of my career. 

An area of Dietetics that I am especially interested in is Maternal and Child Nutrition (MCN). During my (first) undergraduate career I was enrolled in a MCN course, and it was absolutely fascinating. The human body's ability to adapt and change in order to create a new life is astonishing, and nutritional needs and concerns are no exception to this upheaval.

While scientists have known for ages that maternal nutrition status affects fetal development, there is limited research available to offer specifics into exactly how and when nutrients come into play. Now, scientists at the University of Southampton's Faculty of Medicine have discovered that a woman's diet affects the nutrient composition of the fluid in her womb, even if she isn't pregnant.

Uterine fluid nurtures the embryo, and this is the first study published showing that diet can alter the nutrient composition of human uterine fluid. Early embryo environment is so important for development and future health. This report has the potential to aid in the development of nutritional interventions, and possibly spur further research and lead to more groundbreaking evidence.

Good health literally begins at the beginning of life. With more research, it may be possible to identify high-risk scenarios and intervene before conception. 

Education is indeed a powerful tool, and the more we learn the better our chances of changing the world will be.

References:

1. Amino acid composition of human uterine fluid: Association with age, lifestyle and gynaecological pathology. (2015). Human Reproduction, 30(4), 917-924. Retrieved March 22, 2015, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Amino acid composition of human uterine fluid: association with age, lifestyle and gynaecological pathology 

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