Imagine yourself, but a healthier, better version of yourself, free of the genetic baggage that you acquired from your ancestors. How is it even possible? Isn’t your fate predetermined by your DNA? Let’s resort to epigenetics coaching for the solution.
The study of epigenetics focuses on variations in the expression of genes that are transmissible to a minimum of one subsequent generation. Our predisposition genes are always there and may be turned on or off by the epigenome, which is located atop the genome. Our nutrition and lifestyle have an impact on the epigenome, but so do our parents’ and grandparents’ dietary habits.
You consume what your grandmother ate!
Which of your lineage are switched on or off depending on the lifestyle you select? According to studies done on mice, the lifestyle choices you make now may have an impact on your grandkids. They used female mice that have the agouti gene, a particular kind of gene. They were more likely to be overweight, of a yellow color, and to get cancer and diabetes due to this gene.
Some of these mice were provided prenatal feeding. Their children were born healthy, brown in color, and lacked any of their moms’ health issues. The vitamins administered to these mice effectively shut off the agouti gene, which remained inactive in subsequent generations regardless of whatever their mothers fed them.
More than just the nature vs. nurture debate
A newer study demonstrates that humans have considerably more influence on our DNA than formerly believed. Our genes can manifest themselves, and by making the appropriate dietary choices and leading an active life, you can actually switch off the negative genes and live long, healthy lives. The study of epigenetics can reconcile the concepts of both nurture and nature to clarify why, in a pair of identical siblings, one might have a certain ailment while the other might not.
According to studies, a person’s epigenomes alter significantly as they age. Researchers examined the epigenomes of fraternal twin adults and children. They found that whereas the gene expressions of the twins as youngsters were very similar, the ones of the twins as adults were very different after splicing each pair of their genes on top of one another. They ascribed these variations in lifestyle.
Is it great news?
No, not always. Accepting the consequences of our own decisions—like smoking—is one thing; realizing that we also pass those costs on to our offspring and grandkids is quite another.
