Improving Your Lifestyle and Your Genes

We’ve all been told repeatedly, day after day, year after year, that our routine lifestyle habits do make a difference in our overall health and wellness. We all “know” that getting regular exercise, eating nutritious food, sleeping well, and managing our stress are all critical to our well-being. Yet so many of us ignore this advice and continue with our not-so-great daily routines or obviously bad habits. Why aren’t we heeding the advice which is based upon a couple of decades of research at this point? It may help to understand more of what the research into epigenetics has told us.

What Is Epigenetics?

According to the CDC, epigenetics is “the study of how your behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work.”¹ These changes are believed to be reversible and don’t change the person’s actual DNA sequence with which they were born. The difference is in how the body reads the DNA sequence. That turns out to be a critical difference.

One Example: Nutrition’s Influence on Genes

Let’s look at just one aspect of this complex connection between mind, lifestyle, and body. The link between certain nutrients and general wellness has been very clear. Certain nutrients, such as folate and B-12, have been identified as epigenetic, causing changes in the way that particular sections of genes are expressed. These nutrients can cause changes in which a “biochemical cap” (methyl group) is placed on a gene, which can then activate or deactivate that gene. This process is called DNA methylation.

You might imagine the possible benefits of being able to match up specific nutrients with persons at risk for specific illnesses, such as breast cancer or bipolar disorder. This potential has led to a whole new field of study, referred to as “precision nutrition.” A person with a known predisposition to getting a particular disease might be able to have a personalized nutrition plan to minimize their risk.

Epigenetics and Mental Health

The methylation cycle is key in the formation of neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin. Connections have been made between DNA methylation and mental health outcomes such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, addiction, schizophrenia, and depression. This is not to oversimplify the causes or potential cures for these disorders, but it does suggest that lifestyle choices can influence symptoms.

Nutrition is just one aspect of our lifestyle choices. Research has also indicated epigenetic effects related to exercise, sleep habits, and environmental stress. Evidence shows that these routines can have either beneficial or harmful effects, depending upon whether we follow the common-sense advice.

What Are the Skeptics Saying?

As with any new field of study, there are many critics as well as proponents of the importance of epigenetics. The controversy comes up when proponents of epigenetic research report that epigenetic changes can be inherited through the generations.² Although these might be helpful consequences, the debate intensifies when the discussion is about the potential harmful consequences. For example, some have claimed that the epigenetic consequences of trauma can be passed down from one generation to the next.

Among neurologists and geneticists, there isn’t complete agreement about whether epigenetic changes have any lasting effects on future generations.³ Some critics argue that the changes are not passed down to the next generation, and in fact it would be ironic if they were because then we are reverting back to the idea of our genes being completely predetermined by our previous generations.

However, does the question of inherited changes really negate the benefits of epigenetics for the current generations? We might see that as a separate issue and focus first upon the mental and physical health of the current generations from prenatal and newborn life through adulthood and later life.

Genetics Essential Reads

Genes Influence Children’s Success, Directly and Indirectly

Viral Infections May Change DNA and Promote Inherited Mental Illness

To Sum Up

The study of epigenetics has helped us to understand why it’s so important to maintain healthy lifestyle habits and routines. The effects on both physical and mental health are profound, at least for the current generation. For many reasons, we find it easy to overlook common sense. You know what works for you; trust your better instincts. It’s likely some version of eating well, sleeping enough, exercising often, limiting the use of substances, and finding time to relax and de-stress.