A fear that healthy people have is that one day they won’t be. That’s a legitimate concern
especially if you are currently leading an unhealthy lifestyle. I hear this concern expressed in terms of people saying that Cancer runs in the family or hypertension or any other of a laundry list of chronic disease. Thankfully, your genes don’t have to determine this outcome. We can turn down their expression in the same way you would dim the switch on a light bulb. If we start now, we can send the correct messages to our genes by implementing positive lifestyle choices for good health.
Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression that are not caused by changes in the underlying DNA sequence. Instead, epigenetic modifications can influence which genes are turned on or off, without actually changing the genetic code. This is important because it means that we are not necessarily condemned to suffer from genetic diseases that run in our families.
One well-known example of an epigenetic modification is DNA methylation. This involves the addition of a methyl group to specific sites on the DNA molecule, which can prevent the binding of proteins that control gene expression. Changes in DNA methylation patterns have been linked to a range of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders.
However, the good news is that epigenetic modifications can be influenced by a variety of factors, including diet, exercise, stress, and environmental toxins. For example, studies have shown that eating a healthy diet that is high in fruits and vegetables can lead to changes in DNA methylation patterns that are associated with reduced risk of disease. Similarly, regular exercise has been shown to alter histone modifications in a way that is beneficial for overall health.
Another important factor in epigenetics is stress. Chronic stress can lead to changes in DNA methylation patterns and histone modifications that can increase the risk of disease. However, stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, and mindfulness have been shown to reverse some of these epigenetic changes and improve overall health.
Finally, environmental toxins can also have a significant impact on epigenetic modifications. Exposure to pollutants such as lead, mercury, and pesticides can alter DNA methylation patterns and histone modifications in a way that increases the risk of disease. Avoiding exposure to these toxins as much as possible is important for maintaining good health.
In conclusion, while genetic predisposition to certain diseases may run in families, we are not necessarily condemned to suffer from these conditions. By paying attention to our lifestyle choices, including diet, exercise, stress management, and exposure to toxins, we can influence our epigenetic modifications in a way that is beneficial for overall health. Understanding epigenetics is therefore an important tool for preventing and treating a wide range of diseases.
Next, read this article on Perspectives or reach out to find out more.
Sources:
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– Feinberg AP, Irizarry RA. Evolution in health and medicine Sackler colloquium: Stochastic epigenetic variation as a driving force of development, evolutionary adaptation, and disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Jan 26;107 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):1757-64. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0906183106. PMID: 19918053; PMCID: PMC2868283.
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– Martínez JA, Cordero P, Campión J, Milagro FI. Interplay of early-life nutritional programming on obesity, inflammation and epigenetic outcomes. Proc Nutr Soc. 2012 Aug;71(3):276-83. doi: 10.1017/S0029665112000058. Epub 2012 Apr 5. PMID: 22475776
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– Weaver IC. Epigenetics and mental health. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2017 Dec;19(4):395-396. doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.4/iweaver. PMID: 29302234; PMCID: PMC5793317.