Are You Doomed to Disease?To assume that you are doomed to the diseases experienced by your parents is simplistic thinking. Yet, most doctors are still treating your family history rather than you! It is true that your gender, race, eye and hair color are all determined by your genes. These are the cards you were dealt, and they do not change. However, most of our physical and biochemical characteristics are controlled by many genes (about 30,000) that interact with some 300,000 signal proteins, as well as thousands of enzymes, antibodies, structural proteins, messenger molecules, receptors, peptide hormones, cytokines, and other compounds. Researchers in Scandinavia studied 44,000 pairs of twins to determine whether cancer was genetic. Less than 10% of cancer cases were found to be genetically determined, confined to breast and colon cancer. The rest was brought on by lifestyle choices such as diet and personal behaviors! Molecular biology shows us that genes are learning, growing, and changing all the time. Gene expression is directly affected by the environment in which the genes live. We all have a tremendous opportunity to affect our traits, tendencies, and overall health by improving our physical environment, choosing a healthy diet and making better lifestyle choices. Some examples: Exposure to toxins and radiation can harm our genes, leading to damage and mutation that can cause cancer or birth defects. The food we eat literally builds the environment in which our genes exist. Put junk food in, you get a poor environment for the genes to do their work. Stress and lack of sleep can release hormones and messenger molecules such as cortisol that can lead to diabetes, weight gain, osteoporosis, cognitive impairment, and damage to your brain neurons. Exercise can counteract these same effects by lowering cortisol. So what really runs in your family? A genetic predisposition to a specific disease, or your family’s habits, dietary preferences, favored activities, and reactions to stress? PLEASE THANK OUR SITE SPONSOR BY LEARNING ABOUT THEIR UNIQUE NEW PAIN RELIEF PRODUCT THAT IS TOTALLY DRUG-FREE! Click on the logo below.
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