Can Food Change Your DNA? Hint Hint the answer is YES!
Can Food Change Your DNA? Hint Hint the answer is YES!

Can Food Change Your DNA? Hint Hint the answer is YES!

Can food alter or change your DNA, the answer is YES! But the bigger question is How?

We have learned that we inherited two working genes that are copies one from your mother and father that forms our unique DNA sequence, that is you. We only inhertit one working copy of imprinted genes however. And depending on what the gene is, either from your mother or father that copy of gene is epigenetically stopped or silenced. This silencing normally happens when methyl groups are added during egg or sperm formation.

The second genome, the Epigenome is basically the “software” that directs the genomic “hardware” of your computer. They still need instructions on what to do where to do it and how to do it. It is the epigenome that decides how the genes are expressed and determines how a cell becomes what; a liver cell, heart cell, hair cell even a toenail. A bundle of atoms, (methyl groups) attaches to DNA and this is what turns off (or on) certain expressions of genes.

These imprinted genes are very sensitive to multiple things! Think of it as nails on the chalkboard for your genes.

Diet, Hormones, Toxins, Stress to name a few!

Your DNA is your own personal blueprint of you. What you eat and drink can influence how the blueprint is read and implemented.

Your diet, be is good or bad will switch genes on or off.

The activity of your genes are modifified by:

  • What you eat, what you drink, what you breathe, what you touch
  • How you feel
  • What you do
  • What you think and beleive
  • How you live
  • What you perceive, whether it be real or even imagined

On average over 95% of disease is not genetically determined, but that 5% is. Nutrition and proper diet and care of ones self can help keep certain genes dormant your habits and how you live is extremely impactful on these genes.

Because these imprinted genes only have one copy, no backups, no additional printouts, only one original copy…any mutations that occur will be much more greatly impacted through the gene that is expressed. 

The environment, diet, hormones, toxins are all guilty of affecting the process of gene expression. And it actually has the power to impact the expression of genes of children, grand children, great grandchildren and so on.

So, how does food go to your DNA?

Through methyl groups.

Nurtients from what is on our plate, or what we hold in our hand is carried to a biochemical pathway that removes methyl groups and then takes those same methyl groups of food and then attaches it to our DNA.

I cant not touch on the importance of stress and how impactful this is on the body. Stress, anxiety and depression affect the epigenome as well. This form of worrying and phychological stress has been found to promote aging and diseases. These chemicals flow through the body in a negative way. Exercise is a positive way in which positive chemicals released can reduce stress. In other words; workout more, sweat a little, (get those endorphins in from exercising) so you can get the rewards from it in more ways than one!

Diets that are high in methyl promoting nutrients can rapidly alter gene expression, especially in womb. 

Here are a few Nutrients that have the power to change your DNA

Methionine (SAM synthesis): Sesame seeds, brazil nuts, fish, peppers, spinach

Folic Acid (Methionine synthesis): Leafy vegetables, sunflower seeds, bakers yeast, liver

Vitamin B12 (Methionine synthesis): Meat, liver, shellfish, milk

Vitamin B6 (Methionine synthesis): Meats, whole grain products, vegetables, nuts

SAM-e (SAM)(Enzymes transfer methyl groups from SAM directly to the DNA): Supplement

Choline (Methyl donor to SAM): Egg yolks, liver, soy, cooked beef, chicken, veal and turkey

Betaine (Break ndown the toxic by products of SAM synthesis): Wheat, spinach, shellfish, and sugar beets

Resveratrol (Removes acetyl groups from histones, improving health): Red wine

Genistein (Increased methylation, cancer prevention): Soy, soy products

Butyrate (Increased histone acetylation turning on “protective” genes, increased lifespan): Compound preoduced in intestine when fiber is fermented

Diallyl sulphide (DADS) (Increased histone acetylation turning on anti cancer genes): Garlic

These foods have been found to SILENCE genes

  • Sesame seeds, Nuts, Sunflower seeds, peppers, spinach and leafy vegetables, most vegetables, fish

These foods have been found to turn on ANTI-cancer genes

  • Broccoli and Garlic 

The importance of eating proper during pregnacncy as well as during infancy should be seen a little clearer now. The mothers diet during pregnancy can have long lasting effects. The good news is that for adults increasing Methyl rich foods has been shown to reverse any deffieciency that may have occured.

There is so much power in Food.

Food CAN change your DNA

Choosing what you eat each day can turn genes on or off.

The beautiful thing about the body is it wants to thrive, if you give it what it needs it will.

I have had my fair share of health ups and downs, I have had my fair share of diets too. It is interesting to have that eye opening moment in correlating the two.

During your potential non optimal health times did you find that at that time your diet wasnt the best or could have been better?

Think back to times when you just went doing great. How was your diet then? How were your stress levels?

Its a facscinating subject to me, I love how we have the opportunity to modify this, to change this, to impact our lives positively with these modifications. It’s not enough to do diet alone, in some instances if you over obsess or make your diet stressful you will negate the benefits because of epigenetics. That added stress is of no benefit so its best to have a full rounded game-plan that is fun! And enjoyable!

I think its best to first start with the mind. Ask yourself; Are you ready to modify your life? Why do you want to do that? Will you self sabbotage yourself? If so, then that needs to be addressed first.

Life is ever evolving, dont beat yourself up. If you want change, really want it, you can have it.

It’s at your fingertips, you just have to give yourself an appropriate blueprint for that success. Just like the blueprint roadmap of your DNA.

What do you think about this subject? Do you agree? Let me know your thoughts below!

Heres some more sources on the subject:

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