How Daily Choices Affect Our DNA

If “wellness” is a result of our daily choices that lead to healthy balanced states of mind, body, spirit, lifestyle, and Social aspects, then how might various imbalances or unhealthy choices (stress, food choices, etc) affect our DNA or even our children?

In this breakthrough study (Environmental Health Perspective , 2006 114:567-572), researchers showed that dietary changes of pregnant mice permanently impacted the lifelong gene expression of the resulting offspring as to obesity, cancer protection and fur color. Although highly technical, the basic research has to do with turning genes on or off as a function of food choices.

Of course, experimental mice do not make “choices” but these researchers graduated the intake of a biochemical in soy, and the resulting gene expressions in the offspring show remarkable outcomes in terms of the color of the fur and the weight of the mouse. At one end is an unhealthy, obese, pale-yellow mouse and the other end a healthy, lean, brown mouse. In between are three mice showing incremental changes of weight and color based on the incremental increase of the intake of this one ingredient while still inside the womb.

This study suggests that CHOICES turn on and off our DNA on a minute by minute basis as each of our millions of miles of DNA repair and grow cells.

Millions of miles? We humans are active physiological beings whose DNA end-to-end are astronomical. Do a Google search on the length of DNA in one human being and be prepared to be astounded.

This is life, constant, second by second, as DNA is used to code for enzymes that build or destroy in a 37 trillion cell organism that is one human being—you.

I call this the “Alpha of Wellness,” or the beginning. The “Omega of Wellness” I’ll save for a different discussion but, suffice it to say, it’s related to how we age.

Our DNA health works to manage our 37 trillion cells under constant changes and attacks by organisms and environmental events. And our “aging,” so to speak, even seems to be a function of that part of the DNA called the telomere, the ends of the chromosomes that protect the DNA strands from fraying and becoming damaged, much like the "aglets" or plastic tips on the end of your shoe laces extend the life of the laces.

There are literally millions of miles of DNA in trillions of cells constantly working as you sit at your desk drinking a cup of coffee.

But choices determine DNA health. I contend these choices are more than food, but also your fitness, your stress, your relationships: all connected to the mind, body, spirit, lifestyle, and social natures of what is you and your wellness choices.

This is the Alpha—healthy gene expression. But another hint of what's to come: Think about what breakdown in the body might be attributed to the development of cancer and atherosclerosis, including diseases we call heart attacks, strokes, hard cancers, and dementia? What could we do to break down slower or “age later” so to speak? Stay tuned. In the meantime, what daily choices could you make in your life to improve any aspect of your mental health, fitness, nutrition, spirit or relationships? Start anywhere. Remember, do the basics first:

• Get 7-8 hours of quality sleep
• Drink pure water & eat real fresh food (not processed)
• Exercise daily (take a walk)
• Take some time for yourself (renew your spirit)
• Let go of anger, blame and resentment (forgive & forget)

Be well...