Understanding Epigenetics: The science of epigenetics is the study of environmental factors that can turn genes on and off. Unlike genetics, which involves hereditary changes in the DNA, epigenetic changes are alterable and can be influenced by things such as your age, the environment you are in, your lifestyle, and whether you are in a disease state or healthy state.
Understanding Epigenetics:
You need to understand that in epigenetics, you have the power to silence or turn on certain genes with the lifestyle changes you make. This means that in epigenetics, we have the power to turn genes “on” and “off” through environmental factors. The food you eat, the place where you live, your sleep patterns, exercise habits, and whether you’ve had toxic exposures, or have had a serious infection can all cause chemical modifications that turn on or off these genes. Unlike genetics, epigenetics are reversible. In some cases, gene expression errors can be transferred from parent to child. This is known as a transgenerational epigenetic inheritance (TEI).
Evidence of Epigenetics
In identical twin studies, researchers find evidence of epigenetics. Autism and bipolar disorder can be present in one identical twin while the other twin remains unaffected. Identical twins can experience different stresses during pregnancy and birth. Exposure to certain chemicals during pregnancy or early infancy may also affect the risk for autism spectrum disorders.
William Walsh, Ph.D., President of the Walsh Research Institute believes that the science of epigenetics provides a road map for nutrient therapies that have the potential for overcoming mental and behavioral disorders and reducing or possible elimination for psychiatric medications. Epigenetics basically affect how genes are read by cells. Through understanding epigenetics, historical scientific work in genetics is seen in different, more complete ways. We now know that many environmental factors are working to influence heredity. Today we can use epigenetics to better understand the roles DNA, RNA, proteins, and environment have in inheritance. To learn more about epigenetics, read Epigenetics: A Turning Point in our Understanding of Heredity.
