The Science of Epigenetics and You

Imagine you - only a better, healthier you, without all the genetic baggage you inherited from your parents. How is this possible? Hasn't your DNA sealed your fate? Let's look to the science of epigenetics for the answer.

Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression that can be passed down to at least one successive generation. The epigenome sits on top of the genome and has the power to turn off or on our predisposed genes which never change. The epigenome is affected not only by our own diet and lifestyle but also by our parents and grandparents.

You Are What Your Grandmother Ate!

The lifestyle you choose determines which of your genes will be expressed or turned off. Studies done on mice suggest that the lifestyle decisions you make today, can literally affect your grandchildren. They took pregnant mice with a certain type of gene called the agouti gene. This gene predisposed them to being yellow in color, overweight, and prone to cancer and diabetes.

Prenatal nutrition was given to a select few of these mice. Their offspring were born of normal weight, were brown in color, and had none of the health problems of their mothers. The vitamins given these mice in effect turned the agouti gene off and this gene stayed off in the successive generation regardless of what their mothers ate.

Beyond Nature vs. Nurture

This emerging research shows we have much more control over our genes than previously thought. Our genes can express themselves and by choosing the right foods and a healthy lifestyle, we can literally turn off the bad genes and enjoy a long life of health and wellness. The science of epigenetics can bridge the gap between nature and nurture and explains why in a set of identical twins, one twin would get a certain disease and the other one would not.

Studies show that as a person ages, their epigenomes change dramatically. Scientists studied the epigenomes of identical twin children and identical twin adults. They spliced each set of the twin's genes on top of each other and discovered that while children's gene expressions were almost identical, those of the adult twins were vastly different. This they attributed to lifestyle differences.

All great news right? Not necessarily. It is one thing to accept the consequences for our own choices like smoking, but knowing that we pass them down to our children and grandchildren is an entirely different thing altogether.

Work with Your Genes or Against Them - The Choice is Yours!

We now know that living a healthy lifestyle not only affects our own lives but also those of future generations. Nutrition experts have been telling us for years to eat right and exercise. Now we have strong motivations to follow their advice if we want our children and their children to be as healthy as they can be. How much epigenetic advantages you want to utilize to overcome your genetic makeup is up to you.

Want to learn more about optimizing your gene health through epigenetics? Let Russ Curran help. Please visit www.EpigeneticsAndNutrition.com for more information.