Genetic variations help to explain individual differences, including a person's ability to manufacture and assimilate key nutrients, their physical traits as well as their susceptibility to particular diseases. Traditionally, it was thought that the characteristics of an organism was pre-programmed in the DNA, hence the concept of “genetic determinism.” In other words, humans were considered to be the victim of their heredity. Current research in the field of Epigenetics proves that we can change our genetic expression, which means that the fate of our health is not written in stone.
The new science of Epigenetics studies how factors “beyond” the gene influence genetic expression. Factors such as environmental toxicity, pharmaceutical drugs, diet, lifestyle, stress, ancestral history, as well as, emotional and physical trauma all play significant roles in modifying genetic expression. The DNA is the blueprint to make proteins - but it is controlled by Epigenetic signals that mediate which genes will turn on or off.
Perhaps of even greater significance, is the study of how our perceptions influence genetic expression. In other words, how you perceive the world determines which genes are going to be turned on/off, modifying the read out to manufacture the proteins that are most adaptable to your perception of the environment.
Current data suggests that only 5% of all diseases may be caused by inborn errors in the genetic code, while 95% of all diseases is likely the result of Epigenetic factors.
EVIDENCE FOR THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION
"The “placebo effect” is an example of how the connection between brain and body works in healing. It has been demonstrated that when a patient believes something will relieve pain, the body actually releases endorphins that do so. In a recent study, Parkinson’s patients who were given fake surgery or fake drug treatments produced dopamine (a chemical their bodies lack) in quantities similar to those they might have received in a genuine intervention."
- Foundation for Cancer Research and Wellness by Robert Moss
“The latest research has shown that the placebo effect does not always arise from a conscious belief in a drug. Alternatively, it may grow out of subconscious associations between recovery and the experience of being treated, from the pinch of a shot to a doctor’s white coat. Such subliminal conditioning can control bodily processes, including immune responses and the release of hormones.”
- Scientific America Magazine February/March 2009
“Brain scans show that when we imagine an event, our thoughts “light up” the areas of the brain that are triggered during the actual event. Sports psychologists have done pioneering work in this area. In one study, skiers were wired to EMG monitors (which record electrical impulses sent to the muscles) while they mentally rehearsed their downhill runs. The skiers’ brains sent the same instructions to their bodies whether they were doing a jump or just thinking about it.”
– Robert Moss Foundation for Cancer Research and Wellness
9 STEPS TO HEALTHYGENE EXPRESSION
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Diet: Eat a diet based on whole & real foods, free of added pesticides, preservatives, antibiotics, and hormones. The field of nutrigenomics has shown how food transmits information to our body. In a nutshell, whole foods signal healthy genetic expression, while processed, chemical-ridden food signals unhealthy genetic expression.
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Optimizing the gut flora: There are 10 times more bacterial cells in our body than human cells. These bacteria are largely responsible for repairing and synthesizing our DNA and signalling healthy genetic expression. In essence, whole foods feed good bacteria leading to healthy genes, processed food feeds bad bacteria leading to unhealthy genes. In addition to the dietary recommendations above, eat probiotic rich foods (i.e., homemade yoghurt, kefir, fermented vegetables, sauerkraut, kimchi, natto, tempeh, kombucha, etc.). If necessary, a high quality supplement may be beneficial. Our clinic uses advanced techniques to determine specific probiotic deficiencies, in order to create custom probiotic formulas to meet your specific needs.
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Lifestyle: Our bodies were designed to move. Regular exercise and physical activity promote healthy genetic expression, while inactivity signals unhealthy genetic expression.
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Detoxification: Working with a practitioner to optimize your body's detoxification pathways, while safely following a detoxification protocol is essential to eliminate stored toxins that are suppressing the healthy expression of your genes. (For more information, see our recommendations from our previous article on Toxicity.)
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Stress Management: Meditation, yoga, and HeartMath techniques are all good tools to manage stress and promote healthy genetic expression.
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Affirmations: Our words can influence and reprogram our DNA. Use self-empowering affirmations such as: "I am an infinite being and I am only subject to what I hold in Mind - I am not subject to (Name your ailment - addiction, allergy, arthritis, cancer, chronic pain, etc.) or the adverse effects of (name something you perceive to be currently harmful to you - medication, environmental pollution, etc.)." Other options include: "I am safe," or even "My body is replacing old unhealthy cells, with new healthy cells." Be creative and use the power of your intuition to formulate your own affirmation.
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Light & Sound: Frequencies and wavelengths emitted from sound and light can also influence DNA. Clinically, specific frequencies and wavelengths can be used therapeutically to modify unhealthy genetic expression. Classical music and natural daylight have also shown to be of benefit. Avoid fluorescent lighting and electromagnetic fields emitted from electronic devices.
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Advanced genomics testing: This technique allows us to target specific genetic mutations, known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are clinically relevant in their ability to affect nutrient assimilation and are nutritionally actionable.
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BodyTalk & Energy Medicine: These modalities are at the forefront of medicine for their ability to non-invasively identify and repair harmful genetic mutations and even inherited traits passed down from your ancestors. In addition, they have proved to offer very effective tools to help clear the adverse affects of both emotional & physical trauma at all levels, including the genes.
WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY
"I think that energy and the use of energy in healing, will be the biggest frontier in medicine over the next decade. And the reason for that is if you think about a cell and what defines life at the level of the cell, it’s all about the energy on the inside and the outside being different. That defines life... But because we can’t measure that in medicine, we have been hesitant to think about tapping into it."
– Dr. Mehmet Oz on CNN International
"There have been attempts to establish a Quantum Medicine, but it was not until BodyTalk that the discoveries in Quantum physics became part of the daily reality of many healthcare practitioners and their patients."
– James Oschman, PhD
"there is evidence for a whole new type of medicine in which DNA can be influenced and reprogrammed by words and frequencies WITHOUT cutting out and replacing single genes."
- DNA Discoveries by Grazyna Fosar and Franz Bludorf
"Why Your DNA isn't Your Destiny: The new field of Epigenetics is showing how your environment and your choices can influence your genetic code - and that of your kids."
- Time Magazine, January 6, 2010