Most people understand the unchanging nature of DNA. They think DNA is their destiny. We are a combination of nature and nurture. Nature loads the gun, nurture pulls the trigger. Or genes load the gun, lifestyle pulls the trigger.
Epigenetics is the study of how your behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work. Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic changes are reversible and do not change your DNA sequence, but they can change how your body reads a DNA sequence.
Just as 100 years ago we refined our understanding that eating fruit and vegetables regularly was good for everyone with the discovery of vitamins, nowadays we can refine our understanding of genetics and genomics to improve education and health for everyone.
A recent study from the University of Alberta suggests that the role of genetics in determining diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes is relatively small. This comprehensive analysis of genetic data spanning two decades found that common gene mutations, known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), have minimal influence on most human diseases.
According to the study, the genetic contribution to the risk of developing most diseases, including various cancers, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease, is only around 5 to 10 percent at best. Exceptions to this trend include certain conditions like Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and macular degeneration, which have a higher genetic contribution of about 40 to 50 percent.
The research emphasizes that factors like metabolism, environment, lifestyle choices, and exposure to different elements like nutrients, chemicals, bacteria, or viruses play a more substantial role in disease risks than genetics. The study suggests that measuring metabolites, proteins, or the microbiome provides a more accurate assessment of disease risk and diagnosis compared to solely relying on genetic testing.
For accurate disease prediction, the study underlines the importance of importance of focusing on measuring metabolites, microbes, or proteins for a more precise understanding of health and disease risks in addition to genetic test. Additionally, it highlights the necessity of understanding environmental factors, including the safety and quality of food, air, and water, in assessing overall health.
DNA is not our destiny; it is just a very useful tool to begin our journey to optimize our health through nutrition and lifestyle factors.
