The Secret Of Life

Alter Genetic Predisposition by Simple Lifestyle Changes

In 1953 James Watson, PhD, and Francis Crick, PhD, unveiled their double-helix model of DNA. On the day of their breakthrough, Dr. Watson walked into an English pub and announced they had “found the secret of life.”(1) This discovery was a massive breakthrough in science and in health care. Today we are discovering the  secret to health that will allow you to experience the quality that life has to offer. That secret is - "Epigenetics." 

"Epigenetics is the study of how environmental factors can affect gene expression without altering the actual DNA sequence, and how these changes can be inherited through generations." (2)  This means that what you do today, tomorrow, and in the future can alter the expression of your genetic makeup and the genetic makeup of your offspring. How environmental factors influence gene expression brings truth to the old saying, "you are what you eat." 

 Epigenetics emphasizes the importance of diet, exercise, and a clean environment. It is just as important what you put your body as the air you breathe. It is equally valuable to your body to eat vegetables as it is to decrease exposure to pesticides - eat organic vegetables. It is also essential to manage your negative thoughts - this has also been shown to change the expression of your genes.

The secret to life isn't a secret anymore, it is a well known documented bold faced - fact. And, this is something you can have control of. "Walter Willett,  from the Harvard School of Public Health stated, "Genetic and environmental factors, including diet and life-style, both contribute to cardiovascular disease, cancers, and other major causes of mortality, but various lines of evidence indicate that environmental factors are most important. Just imagine having control of the way your genes express themselves. 

Now you have a choice. You can choose optimal wellness by taping into what your body needs and providing those needs. Or can you choose sick care by allowing someone else manage your health through medications and the absence of nutrition as a source for disease prevention.

5 Steps to Optimal Wellness

1) Schedule a Chiropractic Appointment. Of course I am going to advice this. Why? The brain and spinal cord control EVERY function in your entire body. Any dysfunction in this can alter health and decrease your chances of obtaining optimal health. Chiropractors restore function to this system allowing your body to function at its optimum. So, that is why it is important to see a Chiropractor.
2) Eat a Well Balanced Meal. What does that mean anyways?  Stay tuned for next weeks blog to learn more. 
  This week you can start by removing sugar/sweets and adding in vegetables and healthy proteins. Sugars will cause drastic spikes in your blood sugar leading you down a path to diabetes. Adding healthy proteins will maintain blood sugar and lead you to a path of Optimal Wellness! It feels so good.
3) Exercise. Do what you love! Movement keeps your body young. Don't settle for a boring routine, because you will not keep it. Discover an activity that you enjoy, so you keep doing it for years to come. Your body will thank you for it too!
4) Replace toxic house hold products with safe products void of chemicals. Start by changing your shampoo and conditioner.
5)Surround yourself with like-minded people who also want to achieve optimal wellness. By engaging with people who support your efforts to maintain a healthy living you increase your chances of sustaining this lifestyle.

Bonus: Find healthy ways that you can distress. If you spell STRESSED backwards you get DESSERTS. 
Every one encounters stress, but that doesn't mean we should turn to dessert to deal, it is the way that we handle stress that counts. Start monitoring the way you handle stress and incorporate ways to change. For example, if you have a stash of candy in your desk drawer to manage, replace it with an organic apple. Or, if you tend to yell at innocent victims (ie. spouse), instead take a short walk outside. Getting fresh air will bring much needed oxygen to the brain and tissues to replenish the depleted oxygen stores caused by stress.

You are the master control of your body. You control how it is nourished. You can control your reactions and how you manage stress. By owning your body, you can own your health, and therefore alter your genetic makeup!

Incorporating these positive changes will jump start you towards the path to Optimal Wellness. 



1) John Neustadt, ND and Steve Pieczenik, MD, PhD. Foundations and Applications of  Medical Biochemistry in Clinical Practice 
2) Quinn, Sheila  (2010-11-30). Textbook of Functional Medicine.