DNA – our blueprint of life
You CAN make a difference
I often get asked by parents if they could have changed their children’s DNA. The answer to this must include a brief explanation of the difference between DNA, genes, and epigenetics.
DNA, or Deoxyribonucleic acid is a molecule made of nucleotides positioned in a double helix structure. The DNA molecule carries genetic information from both parents to the child. DNA is called the blueprint of life because it contains the instructions needed for an organism to form, develop, survive and reproduce. DNA can be damaged by toxins such as alcohol, pharmaceutical drugs, heavy metals, environmental radiation, EMFs, metabolic oxidation, chronic stress and more.
A single gene is a unit of hereditary information which determine the traits of an organism, such as eye, hair, skin colour, body structure, etc. According to MedicineNet, “no one gene has the yes/no power to say whether a person will develop the disease or not.”[i] We know that genes are constantly being “switched on and off” by regulatory messengers in response to internal and external information received by the body. In this way, the expression of a disease is more linked to dietary and lifestyle habits, psychosocial and environmental factors than inherited factors alone.
Genomic DNA is mainly composed of genes and “junk” DNA. All types of non-coding DNA are collectively called “junk” DNA which is an unfortunate misnomer as it is this “junk” that plays a vital role in the functioning of an organism. I prefer to think of it as the inherent body intelligence involved in everything that goes on inside our body. Thus, the key difference between DNA and gene is that genes are only one specific sequence of DNA which determines the traits.
Experiments have shown that many of the genes within the cells of organisms are inactive much or even all of the time. Thus, at any time, it seems that a gene can be switched on or off. There are a myriad of chemical messengers in the human body which are involved in switching our genes on or off. A major one is methylation.
Epigenetic factors influence how a gene acts or responds – ‘epi’ meaning above the gene. Francis Collins coined the expression Genetics load the gun and the environment pulls the trigger to explain how epigenetics impacts our DNA and thus our health.
Research published in National Library of Medicine found that “Epigenetic modifications are among the most important mechanisms by which environmental factors can influence early cellular differentiation and create new phenotypic traits during pregnancy and within the neonatal period without altering the deoxyribonucleic acid sequence. A number of antenatal and postnatal factors, such as maternal and neonatal nutrition, pollutant exposure, and the composition of microbiota, contribute to the establishment of epigenetic changes that can not only modulate the individual adaptation to the environment but also have an influence on lifelong health and disease by modifying inflammatory molecular pathways and the immune response.”[ii]
What does this all mean?
Basically it comes down to proper preparation prior to conception, ensuring good nutrition and lifestyle throughout preparation and pregnancy/breastfeeding, and applying the same diet/lifestyle advice to your children.
Coming back to the initial question: can you change your child’s DNA?
Without getting too technical and listing all variables, I say “yes” you can, most of the time. If you consider that it is your DNA that carries the instructions for building all proteins that are involved in repairing cells, growing new cells, replacing missing or defective pieces of genetic code, heal parts that are injured including cuts/bruises/fractures as well as all enzymes, hormones and neurotransmitters, then provided this DNA remains undamaged and has all the components it needs, every protein it creates should be accurate and complete.
We can not only influence our genes; we can also influence how genes ‘switch on and off’ – this is very empowering for parents who want to positively influence their children’s health.
There are only a relatively small number of heritable genetic defects directly linked to a certain disease. These include: cystic fibrosis, alpha- and beta-thalassemias, sickle cell anaemia (sickle cell disease), Marfan syndrome, fragile-X syndrome, Huntington’s disease, and hemochromatosis. Other conditions like muscular dystrophies are either inherited from parents or may occur spontaneously during early development. Chromosomal and mitochondrial disorders are often created due to epigenetic influences. For example, Down Syndrome is not a defective gene that is inherited from one or both parents, but rather abnormal cell division during early foetal development.[iii]
As you can see, this is a very complex topic with no single answer. However, what we can keep in mind is that many of the genetic changes that occur, whether passed on or developed in the child, can be avoided by following a few simple recommendations:
· Avoid as many chemicals and environmental toxins as possible. For more information please refer to Chapter 4 of my book.
· Eat a clean diet rich in fresh, whole, preferably organic produce – the Mediterranean Diet still tops the list of researched ‘diets’.
· Consume only purified water (this does not include bottled in plastic) – preferably by installing a quality whole-of-house water filter.
· Nurture a healthy microbiome.
· Manage stress, ensure you get adequate rest and movement.
You can read much more about the above in my book, which also provides an extensive list of references.
Available from online bookstores including Amazon.
[i] https://www.medicinenet.com/genetic_disease/article.htm
[ii] Indrio F, Martini S, Francavilla R, Corvaglia L, Cristofori F, Mastrolia SA, Neu J, Rautava S, Russo Spena G, Raimondi F, Loverro G. Epigenetic Matters: The Link between Early Nutrition, Microbiome, and Long-term Health Development. Front Pediatr. 2017 Aug 22;5:178. doi: 10.3389/fped.2017.00178. PMID: 28879172; PMCID: PMC5572264.
[iii] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/down-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20355977
