Epigenetics and Gene Expression
What is Epigenetics?
Epigenetics is the study of how our environment and how we live our lives influence our gene expression. Many people believe they are destined to have a disease because their mom or dad had it, and live in fear of the potential to develop a certain disease. Many studies have shown that we have much more control of how our genes are expressed than ever imagined.
John Cairns, a British molecular biologist, did research with bacteria and discovered that bacteria responded to changes in their environment by altering its DNA. His research is just some of the compelling evidence that our genes are either turned on or off depending on our diet, emotional state, toxic load, and other environmental factors.
The Linus Pauling Institute has researched how nutrition can have an impact on many degenerative diseases including cancer, specifically, histone modification, which impacts gene expression. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts can affect histones, activating tumor suppression genes.
Nutrition is one of the most important factors affecting our epigenetic expression. Every one of us has at least one food sensitivity. The problem is that most of us are not aware of what food or foods are problematic. Muscle Testing allows for a person to identify what foods are problematic.
Nutritional muscle testing revolves around eliminating the toxic burden on a person's system, specifically biotoxins such as microbes, environmental toxins, chemicals, heavy metals, etc. Once the problems are eliminated, the work revolves around optimizing a patient's potential. The biotoxins that are eliminated from a person's system can activate certain genetic predispositions. Once these are eliminated, the genes that might express a specific symptom or condition are turned off, and the body has the ability to heal.
Just as negative genes can be activated, so can positive ones. In the optimization and rebuilding phase of nutritional protocols, a holistic chiropractor works with each patient to help to correct deficiencies, so their positive genes can be expressed effectively. This supports a patient in what their body requires to keep healing and hopefully remain in a state of wellness.
The body's requirements do change, and this is also an important factor in the work that is done. Patients' requirements are rechecked to make sure a patient is continually optimized. A person's nutritional requirements are affected by their emotional stresses, what is transpiring in their life at the time, what toxins they are exposed to, and many other physical, mental and emotional factors.
Many researchers have done impressive research and have shown how our thoughts, perceptions, and belief systems influence the expression of our DNA. Years ago, I read the book The Biology of Belief by Dr. Bruce Lipton, and it helped me to understand the science behind how our thoughts influence our biology. Many of us have a negativity bias. 90 percent of our day can be filled with great things, but many focus on the 10 percent of our day that didn't go well. We can get caught in a negativity spiral, and sometimes it's challenging to get out of it. There are steps we all can take to change our negative thoughts.
Movement helps to produce endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals that our bodies produce. Endorphins help to produce a more positive outlook and attitude. Chi gong, tai chi, yoga, and cardio exercise are all powerful movements that can change your attitude.
Another great attitude-adjuster is a practice of gratitude. A recent study showed that people who tend to be more negative in their outlook on life actually changed to more of a positive attitude after practicing gratitude for 30 days. Every day they had to write down three things that they are grateful for and why. Each day it had to be something different. All participants in the study reported feeling happier and more positive overall.
Another study found that when you are feeling pessimistic, and you help someone else (not work/job related), this can change your attitude and endorphin levels. Our thoughts influence our biology and have a direct impact on our physical health.
About the Author
Dr. Louis Granirer is a leading NY Chiropractor who specializes in traditional chiropractic care and holistic healing through nutrition response testing. Learn more by visiting his website at www.HolisticChiropracticCenter.com.
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