As humans, we have around 20,000 – 25,000 genes.
Before we knew this general range, scientists assumed that once they’ve mapped out our genes, they’ll be able to engineer us.
Basically, if you have an issue they’ll just need to do something to the corresponding gene.
Except, 20,000 – 25,000 genes are clearly not enough for that to work, and doesn’t even remotely account for all of our characteristics, functions, etc.
Clearly, there has to be something else even bigger that affects and regulates and runs our health, that affects our very being.
Granted, things like eye color and hair color are very solidly determined by genes.
But even here, there are cases where eye color or hair color changed over night.
Something directs our genes, goes beyond the mere presence of a gene or its mutation.
That something is called epigenetics.
Epi, from the greek, meaning “around” or “over” or “outside of.”
Essentially, epigenetics means something beyond the genes.
The following will affect whether your genes are turned on/off, or sometimes more along the lines of like a dimmer switch:
– the food you eat and what you drink
– the sleep you get
– the emotional/mental state you are in
– your thoughts
– whether or not you move your body, and how much
– the toxins you are exposed to
– how much nature time you get – ie time spent outside, time connected to the earth, natural light cycles, etc
– nutrient deficiencies
– your microbiome / virome / mycobiome
– medications
It’s your environment (the one you get to create) and your choices that determine health and gene function.
It comes down to your everyday choices that determine far more about your health than genes can.
That also means, the mere presence of a gene doesn’t have to mean anything:
– is it turned on or off?
– is it mutated?
– what are other genes up to?
So let’s look at a more specific example – the MTHFR gene.
The MTHFR gene is involved with methylation, a process that covers a huge range, including:
– assisting gene expression
– converting nutrients
– is needed for cardiovascular / detox / neurological function (to cover a few)
– inflammation responses
– hormone production
– embryo development
– fat metabolism
– stress response
Methylation is a hugely important function in the body that happens billions of times per day.
Now, a big craze is getting gene testing done to see what genes you have, especially if there is a mutation.
With the MTHFR mutation, people are told they will have methylation problems.
But notice above, I said “is involved with,” as in, it’s not the only player.
There are MANY things that can affect methylation, no gene mutations required.
Even if one gene has a mutation, the body is really smart and has backup plans.
So, what else would negatively affect our methylation ability or even lead to that mutation?
– toxins (toxic chemicals, heavy metals, EMFs, mold…)
– nutrient deficiencies
– chronic inflammation – which goes back to everything else in this list
– lack of sleep / poor sleep
– poor diet
– stressed out nervous system (can be from posture, mental/emotional/physical stress, again lack of nutrients, etc)
– basically go back to the first list here or look at any or all my previous newsletters
Big picture, absolutely we can take supplements that are methylated, if that is an area that your body struggles with (for whatever reason).
And, all the other factors I have listed multiple times now absolutely need to be addressed, because they will impact so much more than “just” methylation.
All of this also means you have a lot of control over your health, which is pretty fantastic! And it’s never dictated by any one single gene.
