Can a walk in the park change your genetics? The DNA we inherit forms the basis for our life instructions at the cellular level. In total it’s a rather complex set of instruction composed of approximately 3 billion nucleotide bases that are commonly abbreviated by the letters A, C, G, and T. Sequences of these bases form 20,000+ genes that provide instructions on how to make important proteins. Interestingly, many of these genes are influenced by external factors such as environment, disease, diet, physical activity, and, in general, our overall lifestyle. When these external effects modify the activation of genes without changing the DNA sequence, it’s called an epigenetic effect. This explains why identical twins with identical DNA are never really identical. Unless they experienced identical external factors (stress, disease, environment, nutrition, etc.), over their lifetime, their genes would be affected differently. An analogy would be two actors reading the same script but adding different nuances to their voice, intonation and expression. Not only would they sound different - the meaning of the message would be different. Although the word epigenetics was coined in the 1940s, researchers had almost no practical means for understanding DNA until the 1990s. Since then we have come to understand that our inherited DNA is not necessarily our destiny. Previously it was assumed that gene expression occurred before birth and that was our blueprint for life. Now we know that many things affect gene expression including what we eat, where we live, who we interact with, how we sleep, our exercise patterns, etc. Disease, toxic agents, and aging can also influence genes and in some cases also damage DNA. Cancer researchers have a special interest in epigenetics given that one-third to one-half of genetic alterations result from epigenetic influences rather than damage to DNA. Many other health issues are now drawing interest. For diseases related to the immune system, researchers have had success in cures based on reverse epigenetics. In some cases, this has been through no more than diet and exercise. Knowing that we can have an effect on gene expression through lifestyle improvements opens the door to remarkable opportunities for a healthier life. To better appreciate where your genetics originated, why it may have changed in the recent past, and what you can do to effect positive changes, follow the links below to three short videos. • Video: "Hooked, Hacked, Hijacked: Reclaim Your Brain from Addictive Living" by Dr. Pam Peeke • Video: "Epigenetic transformation -- you are what your grandparents ate" by Pamela Peeke • Video: "Epigenetics and the influence of our genes" by Courtney Griffins Ready to give your 20,000+ genes a nudge toward giving you better health? Through lifestyle changes, the opportunities for positive outcomes are numerous. A winter morning walk around the Jones Farm Park lakes is one of these opportunities. Walks like these get my day started right with a dose of sunlight, exercise, and time to share the wonder and awe of life with the nicest people I know. Nancy Neighbors, MD Huntsville, Alabama Epigenetics vs. Eugenics Eugenics was first formulated by Charles Darwin´s cousin Sir Francis Galton in 1865. Eugenics is, in essence, a social philosophy which advocates the improvement of human hereditary qualities. Proposed means of doing so have included birth control, selective breeding, genetic engineering, racial hygiene, extermination, etc. Today, we understand the dangers of eugenics. Epigenetics is the study of how environmental factors and lifestyle choices influence our genes. Studies have shown that, among other things, toxins, stress, socioeconomic status, bullying, racism and the lifestyles of our parents and grandparents can all turn on or off certain genes. As a field of study, it has radically changed how we think about nature and nurture. While there is the possibility of hijacking epigenetics as a way of promoting eugenics, this is not likely. For more about the nuances of this social issue, click here. |