Epigenetics is the study of how external factors influence gene expression – turning genes on or off with the potential to contribute to numerous health conditions. Environmental, dietary and lifestyle factors can influence gene expression. While we inherit our gene from our parents, a wonderful analagy to help illustrate epigenetics is that the genes may be considered as a gun, but it is our lifestyle and the environmental factors we are exposed to that pull the trigger.
At True Medicine you can learn how to protect yourself from genetic damage that can affect your health and that of your children and grandchildren.
By getting a better understanding of environmental and lifestyle factors that can increase, or decrease, your risk of numerous health conditions, you can implement strategies to help protect against disease. Particularly when it comes to the health of our children as comprehensive clinical studies show that adverse conditions in early life can severely impact the developing brain and increase vulnerability to mood disorders later in life.
Today, a wide variety of illnesses, behaviours, and other health indicators already have some level of evidence linking them with epigenetic mechanisms, including:
respiratory illness, cognitive dysfunction, autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease, reproductive problems, cancers of almost all types, and neuro-behavioural illnesses.
Known or suspected drivers behind epigenetic processes include many agents such as:
- viruses
- bacteria
- pesticides
- hormones
- starvation
- over-eating
- diet – basic nutrients
- alcohol
- recreational and pharmaceutical drugs
- radioactivity
- heavy metals
- tobacco smoke
- diesel exhaust fumes
- polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
If you would like more information or a health assessment, call and arrange your appointment today on 07 5530 1863.