28/03/2025
What is Epigenetics?
Epigenetics is the study of how your environment and behavior can affect how your genes work. Unlike changes in DNA, epigenetic changes do not alter the genetic code itself. Instead, they turn genes on or off, influencing how your body functions.
Think of your DNA as a book with instructions for your body. Epigenetics works like bookmarks and highlights in that book, deciding which parts to read and which to skip.
Several things in your daily life can change how your genes behave, such as:
Diet: What you eat can switch genes on or off.
Exercise: Physical activity can improve gene function.
Stress: High stress levels can negatively impact gene activity.
Toxins: Exposure to chemicals can modify gene expression.
Epigenetic Changes Can Be Inherited
Your lifestyle choices may not only affect you but also your children and grandchildren. If your ancestors faced trauma, poor diet, or stress, these experiences might influence your health today through epigenetic marks passed down through generations.
Can We Control Our Epigenetics?
Yes! Although you cannot change your DNA, you can influence how your genes behave through:
1.Eating a healthy diet
2.Regular exercise
3.Reducing stress
4.Avoiding harmful chemicals
Why Is Epigenetics Important?
Epigenetics helps explain why identical twins, who have the same DNA, can have different health outcomes. It also plays a key role in understanding diseases like cancer, diabetes, and mental health disorders. By understanding epigenetics, scientists can develop better treatments and lifestyle recommendations for a healthier life.
For osteopaths and naturopaths like myself, understanding epigenetics can be important because factors like stress, diet, physical activity, and toxins can all impact how the patient's body responds to treatments or healing.
For example, a person with a genetic predisposition to chronic pain might experience symptoms more intensely if they are under high stress or have poor nutrition. By addressing these lifestyle factors, osteopaths and naturopaths can help "turn off" negative gene expressions, potentially improving the patient’s health and healing process.
In practice, this could mean combining treatments like osteopathic manipulation, proper nutrition, stress management, and physical therapies to help influence how the body’s genes express themselves, promoting better health and pain management.