How do I change my genes?

Who we are is determined by both genetics and the environment.

In general, we CAN’T MODIFY OUR GENES but WE CAN MODIFY OUR ENVIRONMENT to control the outcome.

For example, if we know that we have gene variants which are associated with weight gain and an increase risk of type 2 diabetes, we might modify the amount and type of refined carbohydrate in our diets.

Similarly, if we know that we have genes which are associated with weight gain and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, we might modify the amount and type of pro-inflammatory fat in our diets.

 "The Future of your Health is not in your Genome - It's in your Hands"

Weight & genetics

Like so many other traits, obesity is a combination of both genetics and environment.

It has been shown that small changes in our genetic code (called “single nucleotide polymorphisms” or SNP’s) are associated with appetite and metabolism.

For example, the fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO) is one such gene included in our comprehensive program which impacts weight management. 

Importantly, these small changes can increase our risk of becoming overweight and obese.

The effect that our genes have on diet and our lifestyle is a very well researched area of science. In fact, there is an entire field of science dedicated to it called nutrigenetics.

Nutrigenetics

Nutrigenetics is the study of genetic variations among individuals in respect to diet and lifestyle.

Importantly, it is an applied science that studies how the genetic makeup of an individual affects the response to diet and the susceptibility to diet-related diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and metabolic disease. 

For example, an individual may have a variation of a gene that controls the way they metabolise certain foods. Depending on the type of variation, they may not be able to metabolise some foods as well. 

Lactose intolerance is a good example of how genetic variation can affect the way we process certain foods. Some people can digest the sugar in milk and some can’t. This variation is related to your genetics.