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Health & Fitness

We Can Rise Above Our Genetic IQ Through Lifestyle

Science is discovering we are not bound by our DNA.

"Our genes are not our fate. When you eat healthier, manage stress and love more, your brain gets more blood flow and oxygen, but more than that your brain gets measurably bigger." - Dean Ornish MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco

Like most of you, I grew up believing I was pretty much stuck with my level of intellect because of my genetic makeup. I thought I could only strive so far before my DNA limited my progress. I was wrong. You can literally work yourself smarter.

Science is lately coming to the realization that our genes are merely ingredients in a recipe and their true potential is expressed in response to a variety of influences, such as environment, trauma, prenatal nutrition, exercise and overall health.

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The emerging science of epigenetics, according to Dr. Bruce Lipton, author of “The Biology of Belief,” is based on the premise that our genes do not control our health and they do not control how we behave. “Conventional medicine is operating from an archaic view that we’re controlled by our genes. This misunderstands the nature of how biology works.” This is a strong statement, bristling with implications for the future of medicine, education and personal development.

Epigenetics literally means “above the genome”, meaning it is made of biological components (DNA methylation, histone marks etc.) that dictate how genes are expressed (behave). The markers that turn genes on and off are the architectural materials of our human buildings, our eye color, height, skin tone and a host of other physical traits. But they also determine our likelihood of acquiring certain illnesses like heart disease, cancer and dementia.

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But now it's becoming clear that both nature and nurture influence genetic behavior. Time published an article this past January written by John Cloud called, "Why Your DNA Isn't Your Destiny," in which he speaks with biologists such as Joseph Ecker of the Salk Institute, who suggests that the epigenome is like software to your genome’s hardware. The application of that software affects the way the genes function on the body’s platform.

Lipton and other scientists from this field claim we can control epigenetics through our diet, lifestyle and behavior. If bad habits, such as smoking, can cause disease or worse (Professor Ornish claims half of all men who smoke are impotent), then good habits can prevent or reverse them, but more importantly for us, we have the power to transcend the misinformed limitations of our DNA. "You can rewire yourself," says Dr. Lipton. "You must recognize that you are a participant in the unfolding of your life."

I recently met with nutritional biochemist Bill Downs of LifeGen Inc, who told me, "Genes are like keys on a piano. It's how you play them that makes the music."

In his book, "The Genius in All of Us: Why Everything You've Been Told About Genetics, Talent and IQ is Wrong," David Shenk states, "Intelligence is a process, not a thing. Intelligence is not an innate aptitude, hardwired at conception or in the womb, but a collection of developing skills driven by the interaction between genes and the environment. No one is born with a pre-determined amount of intelligence. Intelligence (and IQ scores) can be improved. Few adults come close to their true intellectual potential."

The science of epigentics is young but the possibilities are staggering. Just a few years ago the National Institutes of Health funded 190 million dollars toward this research. That's no small investment for something of passing interest. This body of science is growing and it is attracting attention.

So there you go, another reason to stay driven and believe in your own capabilities. Just thought I'd pass it along. Stay connected...

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