The phytoneuroendocrine system, a term coined by Deanna Minich, describes the complex bidirectional communication between plants and the human neuroendocrine system, largely mediated by dietary miRNAs. While this new science of food as information holds great therapeutic potential, it also raises serious concerns about the safety of RNAi-based GMOs already in the food supply. Aligning our diets with the principles of the phytoneuroendocrine system may be key to optimizing health in the age of genomic medicine.
In a groundbreaking new study, nutritionist Deanna Minich has officially coined the term "phytoneuroendocrine system" to describe the complex network of interactions between phytochemicals found in plants and the human neuroendocrine system.1 This concept, while not entirely new, succinctly connects the dots between traditional medicine systems, scientific research, and the profound therapeutic potential of plant-based interventions for human health and wellbeing.
The phytoneuroendocrine system embodies the bidirectional communication pathways between plants and humans. Plants contain a wide array of phytochemicals, including microRNAs (miRNAs), that can significantly influence neurotransmitter production, hormone regulation, and overall neuroendocrine function in humans. Conversely, our neuroendocrine system is intricately tied to our interaction with plants through diet, environment, and even the gut microbiome.
As Minich states, this term is not just about adding another word to the scientific lexicon, but philosophically it's about "unifying plants and people." It makes a profound statement about the interdependence of plants and humans for health, the environment, and the very sustainability of our planet.
The Scientific Basis: Food as Information
The scientific underpinnings of the phytoneuroendocrine system are rooted in the discovery that food contains powerful gene-regulatory molecules known as miRNAs. A study published in BMC Genetics entitled "Plant miRNAs found in human circulating system provide evidence of cross kingdom RNAi" demonstrated that miRNAs from commonly consumed plants are present in physiologically meaningful quantities in the human circulatory system.2 These dietary miRNAs have the ability to regulate hundreds of human genes.
As Sayer Ji discusses in his book REGENERATE, this discovery has profound implications:
Can you imagine the difference between an evolutionarily conserved ancestral diet and a modern one comprised of synthetic components and highly processed GMO cereal grasses?3
The concept of cross-kingdom genetic communication represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of genetics. It suggests an open access model where miRNAs from our diet can alter gene expression in real-time and potentially influence long-term epigenetic inheritance patterns. In other words, what you eat now, can affect you (and even your children) for many generations. And these effects can have measurable genetic and epigenetic 'imprints.'
The Dark Side: GMOs and RNAi Technology
While the discovery of dietary miRNAs holds great promise for understanding the therapeutic potential of food, it also raises serious concerns about the safety of genetically engineered crops. In particular, the use of RNA interference (RNAi) technology in GMO plants could have devastating unintended consequences.4
This is not merely an academic concern. Monsanto and Dow's SmartStax PRO corn, which utilizes RNAi technology, is already being grown on approximately 15 million acres across the United States.5 The EPA's silent approval of this crop back in 2017, despite the lack of long-term safety studies, is deeply troubling.
As Ji states:
Considering that Monsanto's research reveals how intricately connected the human and the food genomes are -- and furthermore, that post-2008 research has surfaced showing Monsanto was wrong and plant RNAs from food do have direct impacts on human genome/epigenome expression -- it is highly irresponsible for them to continue to claim that food manipulation technologies will not have unintended, adverse effects in principle.4
The Light Side: Harnessing the Power of the Phytoneuroendocrine System
On the flip side, the understanding that food directly impacts gene expression through the phytoneuroendocrine system opens up exciting possibilities for using dietary interventions to optimize health. Consuming a wide variety of minimally processed, seasonally available plant foods, in alignment with our ancestral dietary patterns, may provide the ideal gene-regulatory information for human wellbeing.
As Minich explains, integrating our lives with plants through food and environment allows us to align with the natural rhythms that promote health.1 This can translate into practical strategies such as:
- Eating seasonally to prime metabolic responses
- Using plants therapeutically to adapt to stress and regulate circadian rhythms
- Modulating the gut microbiome through the interaction of phytochemicals and microorganisms
Conclusion
The discovery of the phytoneuroendocrine system underscores the profound interconnectedness of plants and human health. It provides a compelling rationale for a whole-food, plant-centric approach to nutrition and medicine. At the same time, it highlights the potential dangers of GMOs and the critical need for precautionary principles in food technology.
As we navigate this new understanding, we must remain vigilant about the dark side of food manipulation while embracing the profound therapeutic potential of plant-based nutrition. The light side of food as information, embodied in the phytoneuroendocrine system, holds the key to aligning our ancestral, non-GMO diets with our biological needs and unlocking our radical resilience.
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