Reading time: 2 minutes
Can a healthy lifestyle influence our cells at the genetic level?
Epigenetics is concerned with the control of our genes by factors other than our individual DNA sequence. 1 We are all made up of a series of DNA, this cannot change in any fundamental way. However, the activity of the genes in our DNA can be modified. Epigenetics recognizes that there are factors that can determine when certain genes "turn on" (or go dormant) and to what extent. These factors can also determine whether or not certain genes are expressed in our bodies. 2
The Three Ways Our Genes Are Put to Sleep
We know that genes cannot disappear, but they can be silenced, or put to sleep. In our cells, three systems can trigger this phenomenon.
- DNA methylation is a chemical process that involves adding a methyl group to DNA. This changes the appearance and structure of DNA and how the gene interacts with the cell nucleus.
- Histones are proteins found in our DNA that make up our chromosomes. DNA can wrap itself more or less tightly around these proteins, which can determine how the gene is expressed.
- Ribonucleic acid (RNA) can interfere with and silence genes.
The influence of epigenetics on our health and well-being
The environment we live in and the lifestyle we choose can influence how our genes behave. In terms of nutrition, for example, the nutrients we consume are found in the metabolic pathways responsible for the formation of certain methyl groups.
Certain nutrients like folic acid and B vitamins are key elements in this process. A poor diet can therefore truly affect our genes at the cellular level. But the good news is that the opposite is also true, and a healthy diet can have positive effects. Dr. Deepak Chopra wrote in his book: Super Genes: Unlock the Astonishing Power of Your DNA for Optimum Health and Well-Being that "only 5% of disease-related genetic mutations are completely deterministic, while 95% can be influenced by our diet, behavior, and other environmental conditions."
Scientists from the Human Evolutionary Genetics Unit have proven that our habits and lifestyle can have an epigenetic impact by causing changes that alter the way our genes are expressed. 3 The saying “we are what we eat” has never been truer: we really can have a positive impact on our genes by living better, healthier lives, and we can have some control over our health, regardless of the genes we were born with!