EPIGENETICS: You Can Change the Way your Genes Are Expressed. You're Not Stuck with Your Restless Legs

[CalmRestPeace]

Hi everyone

I was discussing the new science of EPIGENETICS the other day with few people.

I've compiled some information for anyone that's interested.

INTRO

During the last several decades a new science called 'epigenetics' has exploded and changed the human genome as we know it.

This new discovery of how genes function releases everyone from the belief that they're "stuck" with the genes that they inherited, and that whatever condition they have, will never go away.

Epigenetics teaches us that we can modify the way our genes are expressed.

The science is still in its infancy, but recent studies have shown that diet can alter how your genes function.

This is especially important for people suffering from Restless Legs Syndrome that believe or were told that their condition was genetic, and therefore permanent.

WHAT US EPIGENETICS?

The term "epigenetics" was introduced in 1942 by embryologist Conrad Waddington.

It has become a fast-growing field of research that is changing our understanding of genetic information.

The DNA of a human cell has all the information necessary to produce more than 20,400 different proteins. You can imagine how challenging it is to keep all this information in an organized way. The solutions to the problem of DNA organization found by cells include tightly packing the DNA and switching genes “on” and “off” as needed. The study of these switches is called EPIGENETICS.

The information for life is not only coded in the DNA, but also on the DNA. Chemical attachments, which are called DNA methylation, can “turn off” parts of the DNA code that are not needed in a specific cell.

DNA methylation can also be influenced by our surroundings. Sometimes, changes in DNA methylation might lead to diseases. Understanding how our surroundings can influence DNA methylation might also help us to better understand the mechanisms causing some diseases and hopefully get better at curing and preventing them.

Diet, exercise, environment and mood may effect gene expression.

Even emotional traumas can be transmitted to subsequent generations through epigenetic inheritance.

The above information is courtesy of:

kids.frontiersin.org/articl...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/272...

scientificamerican.com/cust...

science.howstuffworks.com/l...

Thanks to the many studies that have already taken place, we do know of some foods, vitamins and supplements that will help to modify our genes for the better.

An example is the following study headed by Dr. Tabitha Hardy. They discovered that broccoli, green tea, curcumin, selenium and grapes were helpful in gene regulation.

EPIGENETIC DIET: IMPACT ON THE EPIGENOME AND CANCER

Conclusion:

"Different mechanisms are involved in the maintenance of epigenetic states. Studies discussed herein have shown that dietary factors are likely to contribute to epigenetic alterations and in some cases may be able to reverse abnormal epigenetic states. This may provide a rationale for studying nutrient epigenetic modifiers more in combination studies or the proposal of an ‘epigenetic diet’ focused on consuming products that show the ability to stimulate beneficial epigenetic modifications, including increased consumption of fruit, vegetables and those dietary components that are mentioned herein."

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[RCHD]

absolutely agree, it’s something I study too !

[CalmRestPeace in reply to RCHD]

Great to hear! It such a major breakthrough. It gives hope to millions of people that are suffering from a wide range of medical conditions.

It's not going to help our generation much, but future generations will be taught that changes can be made. They're not doomed to suffer as their parents suffered.

Pleasure to meet you. Thanks for getting in touch!

[RCHD in reply to CalmRestPeace]

For sure there’s great power in changing our genes on a certain level. There’s some wonderful classes online with Dr Aronica about Epigenetics through Stanford University. Check them out!

[CalmRestPeace in reply to RCHD]

I'll check it out, thanks.

[PoorRichard]

Seems rather like magical thinking. It's misleading to say epigenetics can "change your genes." CDC states it "can change how your body reads a DNA sequence." It's not a gene change. Looking at the source provided, the pubmed article "also calls into question some of the far-reaching claims that have accompanied the recent rise of epigenetics."

[CalmRestPeace in reply to PoorRichard]

For a lay person they call it turning switches ON or OFF. This changes how the gene is expressed. Not sure what the exact word for it is. Bottom line is, you're not held to how your parents genes were expressed. So if a parent had restless legs, depression etc. and you have the same, you can change that. You're not stuck with it.

Also, there are thousands of articles and studies that have been done in this area. You're picking out a negative comment (I'm not sure what it is). Not sure why. It seems like you're hoping this isn't real science. It is.

They're still only learning, so there's lots more to be discovered, and like all science, their truth will evolve.

[Eryl]

Not so much about changing your genes but more about changing how they're expressed. shows.acast.com/5aecaca3a15...

[CalmRestPeace in reply to Eryl]

That's a better way of saying it. I'll edit my original post.

[Wordsworth99]

Thanks so much for compiling that information and sharing it on this forum!! I find it very interesting! Perhaps people who are hoping this is not real science prefer to continue blaming their genes so that they don’t have to make any lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, environment) to try and affect their gene expression. Just a thought. 😊

[CalmRestPeace in reply to Wordsworth99]

I think you nailed it!

Glad to meet you. Thanks for getting in touch!