Dear Member,
Last week, I told you about a new branch of genetics called, “epigenetics.” The discoveries behind this new branch of science are shattering long-held beliefs. For the first time, there’s proof you have more power to determine your future health than ever known before.
Your genetic code is not set in stone as conventional wisdom has been telling us for the last one hundred and fifty years. We now know that your genes are only 15 percent of total genetic material you get from your parents. (Your genes do give you many individualizing traits like blue eyes or brown hair.) The remaining 85 percent – the epigenome – is a scaffolding of proteins that surround your DNA’s double helix pattern.
As it turns out, this “scaffolding” functions as an interface that interacts with your environment. Based on the choices you make, this epigenome has the power to turn genes on or off, changing the way your body expresses your genetic coding.
That means you’re no longer a “victim” of your genetic programming. Up until now, science has led doctors to say that because a disease runs in your family, “There’s nothing you can do about it.”
New experiments like the one with mice showing how a pregnant mother supplemented with vitamins passed the benefits not only to her offspring, but to her grandchildren as well show how lifestyle choices make changes in how you express your genetic code. And, you can then pass the changes on to future generations.
For you, that means conscious decisions to improve your health will interact with your epigenome. In turn, the proteins in your epigenome can turn off genes that would have otherwise expressed themselves as disease.
Instead of the old model of your genes as a blueprint, think of your genetic code as a library. You have thousands of choices, but you never check out all of the books. The epigenome interacts with your environment and your choices to determine which books to “read.”
You can actually “talk” to your genes to improve your health and prevent disease. If you make different choices – and have health-enhancing interactions with your environment, your epigenome can actually turn off disease-causing genes.
In a future Doctor’s Call, I’ll give you strategies for positively influencing your own genetic expression. For now, make healthy choices knowing that they don’t just benefit you but also your children and their children!
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD