Play the DNA game right

Image credit: Laura Brown, LM Illustration

Unfortunately, stress and poor diet choices are often an unavoidable part of getting through the day. A year ago, I was putting my own body under a huge amount of stress. This resulted in severe anxiety and unfortunately three almost back-to-back episodes of shingles. In a 30-something body, this was a huge red-flag, warning me that something needed to change.

I began to combat my problems through nutrition. It was on this journey that I was introduced to the term epigenetics. As I read into this emerging science, I began to appreciate just how deep an impact my diet and environment were having on my health and wellbeing.

So how does this impact you right now? Epigenetics explores the age-old debate of nature versus nurture. Are we the way we are because of our inherited qualities, or are we a product of our environment and experiences? Turns out it is a bit of both.

Our amazing bodies are built from a unique code, a blueprint known as DNA. This DNA contains contains genes, some good and some bad. They tell our body how to look, feel and fight infection. Our DNA is made up of genes given from our parents, grandparents and so on. That’s why I have my Grandad’s nose. We’re told that our environment, our upbringing, our diet and our stress levels all contribute to how our bodies change over time. But it turns out that how we nurture ourselves doesn’t just impact our personality or how we look. It can also turn on or off those genes nature gave us.

Now this might seem a bit complicated, but here’s an example to simplify the idea. Say you were born with an active cancerous gene, you might think, well that’s game over – there’s nothing I can do about it. But scientists believe that’s not necessarily the case. Having the gene is one thing. But if you take care of yourself, eat well and keep stress levels down, it’s believed that you can turn that gene off. This science is still in its early stages. Studies are taking place as we speak, trying to understand what’s going on and how we can take advantage of this amazing discovery. But imagine the potential.

Imagine knowing that green tea has been proven to prevent anti-cancerous genes from being turned off. That would make you drink more green tea. Or how about the fact that yoga is being proved to turn off a gene associated with autoimmune diseases, insulin resistance and cancer. It’s not just about that awesome stretch. As new findings are published, we’re beginning to understand that how we choose to live has a far deeper impact that we’ve ever understood.

An interesting study in 2013 reported that exposure to chronic stress, in particular “fight or flight” stress, changed the way genes activated in immune cells. Cells were fired up as if infection was imminent, but the infection wasn’t really there. This led to inflammation genes being turned on, which increases the risk of serious health conditions. These include heart disease, obesity and diabetes to name a few.

So right now, we can have a positive impact on which genes we want on our side. But importantly we can also have a negative impact too, by leading stressful lives and choosing poor diet. Exactly which genes are affected is still being defined but it’s a pretty mind-blowing concept.

The thing is, it’s not just about you and me and our lives right now. It is believed that this turning on and off is inheritable. This means that your parent’s and even grand-parent’s life choices have already affected you, good and bad. Before your curse your Dad’s stressful career and Mum’s love of the odd tipple, hold on. Their habits may have given a loaded hand before you were even born, but as we have learnt, that isn’t the end of it. The changes you make today can not only help rewrite past wrongs. They can also be passed down to your children and beyond.

Scientists are still pinpointing exactly which foods and how much stress has an impact on our DNA and genes. But the links are there and only gathering strength. In a world of social media overload, work stress and money pressures, it has never been more important to eat well and know when you need a break. The thing to remember is, whether you were given a good or bad hand when you entered this world, it doesn’t mean you have to play it.

Live mindfully, limit stress and nourish your body. You can play a crucial part in this game and see everyone come out winning.

Gemma is a freelance writer and nutritionist. After experiencing anxiety first-hand, she became interested in fitness and wellbeing, studying nutritional therapy to better understand the link between food and mental health. She lives in the Berkshire countryside with her husband and cat.

Laura is a graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design where she studied illustration. She is currently a freelance illustrator and sells her work in Dundee. Laura likes music, tea, animated shows, video games and Space. She enjoys making fun and interesting characters.