Episode 5: Your health, your baby’s health: explaining epigenetics
In this episode
In this episode of Dad Starts Now, host Nick West chats with Professor Patrick Western to unpack how a man’s health before conception can influence his future kids. Professor Western breaks down epigenetics—the way your lifestyle choices can switch genes on or off without changing your DNA—and what that means for your child’s long-term health. They cover how things like diet, stress, and even your mental health before and during pregnancy can have an impact.
Host: Nick West
Centre for Male Health (Western Sydney University) Project Officer
Expert Guest: Prof Patrick Western
Reproductive Biologist at the Centre for Endocrinology and Reproductive Health at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Department of Molecular and Translational Science at Monash University
Episode highlights
01:00 Understanding epigenetics and its importance
10:42 Everyday choices and their impact on epigenetics
20:02 Health before conception: Timing and importance
27:37 Mental health and its influence on future generations
30:16 Key takeaways for future dads
More episodes of Dad Starts Now
Episode 1: What is preconception health for men and why does it matter so much? Listen now
Episode 2: Sperm health and male fertility: The lifestyle habits that help (and hurt) Listen now
Episode 3: Investigating male infertility and the common underlying medical conditions that could be at play Listen now
Episode 4: Navigating male infertility – what happens when pregnancy doesn’t come easily? Listen now
