You read that right.
Your genes are NOT your destiny! Atleast as far as your health is concerned!
Our basic understanding of genes has been that genes carry the hereditary information from your parents to you and determine a number of your physical, mental, social, behavioural, health and other traits. It was and is commonly understood that if a parent or grandparent suffered a specific health condition, it is more than likely that you as their progeny will suffer from a similar health condition.
And this remains a generally accepted theory, amongst the majority, even for health conditions.
But what are genes?
Genes are basic sections of DNA. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is a long molecule that contains our unique genetic code. Like a recipe book it holds the instructions for making all the proteins in our bodies. DNA is the basis for life on planet Earth—every living thing has it. The function of DNA is to store all of the genetic information that an organism needs to develop, function, and reproduce. Essentially, it is the biological instruction manual found in each of our cells.
DNA and Cells: Basic biology
DNA contains four basic building blocks – A (Adenine), C (Cytosine), G (Guanine) and T (Thymine). The order, or sequence, of these bases form the instructions in the genome. The human genome is made of 3.2 billion bases of DNA. A human cell contains 46 chromosomes – 23 from each parent, made of DNA from each parent within which lie the 3.2 billion bases of DNA. And there are about 37.2 trillion cells in our body! And each cell has the same DNA!
The Epigenome:
So how do the human cells, containing the same DNA, behave differently in the body – as in how do some cells form the heart, some the liver, some the skin, some the brain, etc.? This is the job of the epigenome (“epi” means “on” or “above” in Greek). This is akin to genes being the hardware of a computer and epigenome being the software that runs on top and controls the operation of the hardware! The epigenome consists of chemical compounds that modify, or mark, the genome in a way that tells it what to do, where to do it, and when to do it. Different cells have different epigenetic marks and are therefore made to perform different functions. Also the epigenetic code is not fixed – unlike our genes, rather, it changes from time to time (or can change, with certain triggers) and therein lies its power.
Can the Epigenome treat diseases?
So, if we have inherited bad DNA (as in genes which carry human disease markers), is it possible that the epigenome suppress this DNA? After all the epigenome can “turn off” / “silence” certain genes!
Indeed it can!
We can influence the epigenome via lifestyle factors, beliefs, exercise, diet, environmental factors, special therapies, sunlight exposure, circadian rhythms, stress, trauma, exposure to pollutants, drugs, etc.
And not suffer from our inherited bad genes!
A number of clinical trials are underway in each of these areas and I am very hopeful of seeing many successful epigenome therapies for various inherited health predispositions. These therapies promise to be much safer and far less intrusive.
On the flip side, an altered epigenome can also cause diseases and these alterations may also be passed on to progeny! Many epigenetic changes associated with the development of cancer have been found to be transgenerational; for example: the effects of treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, and environmental toxins, such as endocrine disruptors, are often transmitted to offspring! Sometimes, genes themselves are not driving cancers, rather inappropriate gene expression via the epigenome is increasing the risk of these cancers! (For example epigenetic silencing of certain genes BRCA 1 and 2 genes, has been known to cause breast / ovarian cancer, etc)
Some examples of epigenetic influence:
• Dr Northrup, Bruce Lipton, and many others in the field believe that strong positive beliefs can impact the epigenome and help us trump many diseases!
• It is also believed that changes in diet, exercise, reduced stress, can induce epigenetic reset and impact gene expression for improved health.
The epigenome is a very powerful agent which determines which genes get expressed and which do not, and this can have a positive or negative impact on our health!
In sum, our genes – we can do nothing about, but the epigenome can be impacted positively and made to work for our better health.
Your task – if you are aware of health predispositions / risks which could be passed onto you by your ancestors, get to work on your epigenome. Start by consulting your physician and also start doing your own research.
You have more power over your genes than you think!
Epigenetic therapies are also being explored aggressively for supporting cell health, longevity and age reversal. Geroscientists believe that genes control no more than 20-25% of longevity factors, the balance – our epigenome!
So here’s to the epigenome, a key to our better health!
Akkshay Mehta
(Age Reversal Evangelist)
This blog is my effort to inspire you with the latest developments in the space of healthspan, lifespan and age reversal. In simple English! Do share and Stay tuned.
I would love to hear from you. I can be reached at agm@growyoungtech.com
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