The LiveScience site has a fantastic overview of epigenetics that was posted about three weeks ago. Epigenetics is a relatively new area of scientific study that has come into focus as a result of the human genome project. As scientists mapped out the genome, they began to see that genes by themselves are not entirely responsible for the growth and development of our bodies. It is the epigenome that helps determine whether a given cell will become part of a big toe, or part of a lung, or what color a person’s eyes will be.
The epigenome doesn’t just affect the body while in the womb, though. According to Liang Liu, a researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham who was quoted in the article, “food, pollution, toxic chemicals (such as those found in hard clear plastics), drugs, stress, even exercise and social interaction can all affect the epigenome and alter its attitude towards DNA.”
A key factor that can influence the epigenome and its effect on our genes is food and proper nutrition. In the article, Randy Jirtle, an epigenetics research pioneer at Duke University in North Carolina, makes this point clear:
Similarly, healthy nutrition and lifestyle choices can positively sway gene expression. “Food is truly medicine when you are talking about epigenetic changes,” Jirtle said…
The epigenome’s malleability highlights the power we can have over the health of ourselves and our children, said Jirtle.
Check out the article here for a great overview of epigenetics, and some of the great health benefits associated with this emerging science.
Although the government is working on a vaccination for the current swine flu, it may take up to six months to produce and may only partially reduce the risk of contracting the virus.
Strengthen Your Immune System
Another way to stay generally healthy is by strengthening your immune system. As well as paying attention to your diet and lifestyle, you can also turn to supplements that help support a strong immune system. We recommend natural, whole food nutrient formulas that have ingredients that specifically help with stress and immune function (containing “Hardship Plants”).
“Hardship Plants” Can Boost Immunity
A recurring characteristic of several components in EpiGaia® is the ability to withstand hardship. Studies have shown that many of these ingredients can lead to stronger immune systems and guard against disease. Examples include:
Resveratrol is produced in grape skin in response to environmental challenge.
Oleuropein makes the olive plant robust and resistant to attack.
Gingko Biloba is the oldest known living tree having withstood the ice age.
Several components grow in extreme, harsh climates.
There are more than 10 adaptogen components. Adaptogens enhance the body and mind’s capacity to adapt optimally, accurately and with endurance, to stress.
Epigenetic Nutrition is ancestral sourced whole food nutrients selected through a study of the non-DNA memory or shadow memory in your genes.
Significant advancements have been made in the field of genetic genealogy. Scientific studies now show that there is much more to our genetic makeup than just our DNA. Our DNA or genes are only part of the equation. Human DNA is 99.9% the same. What makes us different – have different color eyes and hair, different heights, etc. – is the memory in our genes (epigenetics).
Think of it this way – your genes are like soldiers – they will do whatever the general instructs them to do. Your epigenome is like the general spouting off orders to your gene soldiers. Your epigenome determines if a cell becomes a heart cell, brain cell or a skin cell. It provides constant instruction to your genes.
The core of genetic health is to ensure your genes are expressing themselves ‘healthily.’ Cancer, for example, is your DNA expressing itself in a harmful way.
A large part of keeping your genes healthy and your body functioning properly is good nutrition. Your DNA ancestry may play a big role in determining which nutrients your epigenetics with respond positively to. Through genetic genealogy, anthropology and archeology, scientists are now able to determine what your hunter-gatherer ancestors ate tens of thousands of years ago.
Because our bodies evolve so slowly, our DNA is almost exactly the same as it was during hunter-gatherer times. Many scientists agree that our genes have not evolved to consume a diet of processed foods, grains, or milk (this is often referred to as the Paleolithic Diet or the Caveman Diet). The ideal diet to keep us healthy and reduce the likelihood of disease is that of our early Paleolithic ancestors. But these diets don’t take into account that ‘caveman food’ isn’t readily available.
The main purpose of this blog is to update you about EpiGaia and the world of epigenetic nutrition, genetic health and DNA ancestry.
We have spent the last three years creating a nutrient formula based on the study of genetic genealogy, anthropology, biology and archeology. We believe it is the most optimal nutrition available today. If you are interested in learning more about EpiGaia, the first step is to download the Free Report.
You can also follow us on Twitter and join our FaceBook page.
Thanks for reading this post and we look forward to communicating advancements in the field of Epigenetic Nutrition.
Epigenetic Nutrition: Attaining Natural Good Health through Ancestral Sourced Whole Foods
In This Informative Report, Learn:
Why your health 'blueprint' is stored in your genes
Why certain foods work well for some, but not for others
Why what your ancestors ate could be the key to your health
How to gain access to the most pure nutrients in the world
And much more
EpiGaia® will be released Summer 2009 – by entering your contact information in the form, you will receive the report as well as be the first notified when the product is released to the public.
Epigenetic Nutrition is ancestral sourced whole food nutrients selected through a study of the non-DNA memory or shadow memory in your genes.
