Most people are familiar with genetics—the blueprint of life you inherit from your parents. Genes dictate things like eye color, hair color, and height. But here’s the twist: outside of those fixed physical traits, your genes are heavily influenced by something called epigenetic's.
What are Genes, Exactly?
Genes live in the nucleus of almost every cell in your body (except mature red blood cells). They act as instructions for building proteins, which carry out most cellular functions. You can think of genes as managers: they guide which proteins get built, when, and how—but they don’t make the ultimate calls.
Enter Epigenetic's
Epigenetic's literally means “above the genes.” They act like switches that can turn genes on or off depending on the environment and the body’s needs. If genes are managers, epigenetic's are the board of directors—deciding which managers get to speak up, and which stay silent.
Why It Matters
The old belief was that your DNA completely determined your destiny. Today, we know that’s not true. While genes show your predispositions—like risks for obesity, diabetes, or heart disease—epigenetics decide whether those genes actually get expressed.
That means you’re not fully confined by your family history.
Example: You may have heard someone say, “Obesity runs in my family.” While the genetic predisposition may exist, lifestyle and environment—your choices—play a far greater role in whether that gene activates.
In other words: genes load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger.
So What Shapes Your Epigenetics?
Here’s the good news—you can directly influence epigenetic activity through daily habits. Some of the biggest factors include:
Nutrition: Whole, nutrient-dense foods support healthy gene expression. Processed, chemical-laden foods often do the opposite.
Sleep: Poor sleep disrupts repair and gene regulation, while deep, restorative sleep optimizes it.
Exercise & Movement: Physical activity triggers beneficial epigenetic changes that protect against disease.
Stress Management: Chronic stress pushes negative gene expression; mindfulness, breath work, and relaxation help balance it.
Sunlight & Natural Light Exposure: Circadian rhythm alignment plays a major role in epigenetic signaling.
Toxin Exposure: Reducing exposure to pesticides, plastics, and heavy metals lightens the load on your genes.
What If I Was Dealt a “Bad Hand”?
Even if you inherit genetic risks, you’re not stuck. Epigenetic activity is strongly influenced by the health of your mitochondria (the “powerhouses” of your cells).
Mitochondria don’t just make energy—they also send signals that affect how genes are expressed. When your mitochondria are stressed or dysfunctional, it can push genes toward negative expression. Support your mitochondrial health, and you support your genetic destiny.
Dr. Sage Ehresman, D.C.
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