So What Is Epigenetics and Why Should We Care?

(Microsoft ClipsOnline)

According to the famous Dr. Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen, MD of the Cleveland Clinic, epigenetics
is "your epic ability to assert control over your DNA by switching certain genes on and silencing others.  They point out that genes can't be changed, but whether they are switched on or off is in our power to control by "changing your gene expression."

Epigenetics is a new field, but thousands of researchers have published articles on it in the last decade.

Amazingly, this can be accomplished by doing consistently what many of us are already doing-sporadically. You might be doing all six of their suggested gene switchers  already.

1.  Eat less saturated fat.  Foods like red meat, ice cream, hard cheeses activate the gene that makes the body store fat in your belly; it urns on genes that promote inflammation, and it turns off cancer-fighting genes.

2.  Switch on cancer-fighting genes.  Foods like broccoli, garlic, Brazil nuts, cruciferous veggies, green tea, soy and turmeric all switch on the cancer-fighting genes.

3.  Put on your sneakers-or your bathing suit  Why?  Regular exercise affects the activity of over 5,000 genes.  Doing30 minutes a day will help your body, brain, and blood sugar.

4.  Relax.  Hard to do, right? But researchers at Mass General found that meditation, yoga, mindfulness all create changes in DNA immediately.  These changes target the genes governing immunity, inflammation, blood sugar control, and the body's ability to burn fat and sugars for energy.

5.  Connect with friends and loved ones.  According to researchers at the U of Chicago, loneliness can alter the workings of over 200 genes.  People who said they felt more alone had extra activity in 78 genes that boost inflammation and reduced activity in over 100 genes that control inflammation and fight viruses.

6.  Pinpoint your purpose.  People who indicated in a UCLA study that they were happy and also had meaningful lives had more low inflammation, virus-fighting genes switched on.  Finding purpose? Belonging to an organization that matters to you or spending time  doing something that you believe contributes to your community or the larger world can accomplish this.

Want to learn more.  The authors cite two books:  Reprogram Your Genes and How To Hack Your Own DNA.  Or find some articles in scientific journals on studies that have been done since 2005.

(All information here including 99% of the text  is from "Six Ways to Switch On Your Healthy, Happy Genes" by Drs. Oz and  Roizen. Arizona Republic, March 9, 2015.)

Do you want some more suggestions?  See  "The Alphabet of Happiness"  at  https://www.facebook.com/JustBczIappearHappy.5/posts/515786781823958

(Our thanks to Joan D. for sending us the "Alphabet of Happiness." )