Epigenetics, Gene mutations, and HAPPY THOUGHTS!
Nowadays, epigenetics
has gained significant popularity as a subject of interest. My personal
fascination with it began some time ago and further deepened through my studies
at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. This topic holds particular
significance for me due to my diagnosis of a gene mutation back in 2015.
However, now that I have a better understanding of this subject, I choose to
refer to it as a gene “variation”, a term that feels much more comforting to
me.
Gene Mutation
The gene variation I
possess indicates a possible increased risk of developing breast,
ovarian, or pancreatic cancer. Just when I believed I was finally overcoming my
battle against metastatic breast cancer, receiving this news felt utterly
disheartening. The moment I was presented with the test results, I thought
there was only one choice I could make, one way out to preserve my sanity.
Within a week of
uncovering my gene variation, I quickly secured the expertise of an oncological
surgeon and one of the top plastic surgeon in New York City. The team was fully
prepared to perform a transformative prophylactic procedure with love and
compassion. Opting for a double mastectomy was a drastic decision, one that
would undoubtedly have an impact on me both physically and emotionally for the
rest of my life.
I never looked back on
my decision and never regretted it. However, had I known back then what I know
now about Epigenetics, my choice could have been different. As they say,
hindside is 20/20….
Since my life-changing
surgery, I have been focused on improving my health and my well-being by changing
my lifestyle in a holistic way. The journey started by improving the way I ate,
which lead me to learn how nutrition impacts gene expression and this opened
the doors to Epigenetics.
In this blog, I will
simplify the concept of gene expression, which is a complex topic. A gene,
through DNA structure, creates a codone, which is a code to make an amino acid.
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Everything that makes our body
work is made of proteins. While this is a simplistic way to explain things it
is important to grasp the idea that a gene acts as a blueprint for protein
production. Occasionally, blueprints can contain variations, alterations, or
"errors", which are referred to as gene mutations. However, only a
small number of these gene mutations, such as the BRCA gene or the Down
Syndrome gene, play a definitive role in disease development. In fact, only
around 1% of genes are directly responsible for causing disease, while the
remaining genes can be influenced by epigenetics, allowing us to exert some
control over their expression and impact on our health.
Epigenetics
Epigenetics looks at how our environment influences gene regulation. Lifestyle and experiences can shape the expression of our genes. Things such as diet, exercise, exposure to toxins, social interactions, thoughts, and feelings impact gene expression. This highlights the direct connection between our genes and the environment in determining our health and well-being.
Above all, I am
fascinated by how our thoughts, and feelings contribute
to the regulation of our genes. Positive thinking, for instance, has been found
to have a beneficial effect on gene expression. Research has shown that positive
emotions and thoughts can upregulate (turn on) the expression of
genes associated with well-being and overall health. For example, if we have
loving thoughts, the brain releases hormones like dopamine, oxytocin,
serotonin, and endorphins. Someone that is in love is said to look and feel
great; a person in love glows and is healthy. On the other hand, negative
emotions and stress can downregulate (turn off) genes related to immune
function and other essential processes. If we feel fear, anger, or jealousy the
brain releases hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine that
compromise our immune system and the ability of the body to repair and heal
itself.
So, genes are
controlled by our environment and respond to the environment. In essence,
thoughts and emotions regulate what genes are turned on and what genes are
turned off.
The placebo and nocebo effect
To further understand this, we can look at studies done on Placebo and Nocebo effects. The placebo effect is a well-known phenomenon where a person experiences positive health effects after receiving an inactive treatment, simply because they believe it to be effective. Positive thinking plays a key role in how a person heals. Studies show that our positive expectations and beliefs can activate neural pathways, trigger the release of certain neurotransmitters, and influence gene expression in ways that promote well-being and healing
On the other hand,
negative thoughts and beliefs can have a detrimental impact on our health. The
nocebo effect occurs when negative expectations and beliefs result in adverse
health outcomes, even if the treatment itself is harmless. These negative thoughts
can activate stress responses and negatively impact gene expression related to
immune function and overall health.
Understanding the
connection between our thoughts, emotions, and gene regulation can provide
insights into promoting well-being and improving overall health. Practicing
positive thinking and cultivating a positive mindset influences gene expression
in a way that supports physical and mental well-being.
Going back to my gene
variation. had I been aware of Epigenetics when my gene variation was initially
diagnosed, would I have opted for surgery?? I do not know the answer to that.
However, a more relevant question is whether, without the knowledge of my gene
variant, I would have learned about epigenetics, made positive changes to my
lifestyle, and become an integrative health coach? Probably not.
With all of this said,
it is essential to note that while positive thinking has amazing beneficial
effects, it is not a substitute for proper medical care and interventions. A
holistic approach to health, considering lifestyle factors, genetics, and the
guidance of medical professionals is paramount.
Most importantly let’s
remind ourselves that every single decision we make from the moment we wake up
to the moment we go to sleep (including how we sleep) impacts what gene we turn
on and what gene we turn off………….SO THINK HAPPY THOUGHTS!
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