bipolar behavior modification
There is a rapidly emerging field of research focused on "epigenetics". In essence, this is the ability to modify genes in his life to change their level of activity. Genes, by themselves, are flat. In order to use them has to make the product that the genes code for. This requires "activate" the gene for such amendments may be inherited. Meaning, how to modify the genes in your life can be transmitted to future generations. Moreover, the form their parents and grandparents have changed their genes could have happened to you.
So far, we know that this applies to genes that control eating behavior, storage fat, learning and memory, the predisposition to addiction to drugs, and their circadian rhythms. Epigenetics also been implicated in disease risk such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and perhaps even Alzheimer's, so I definitely fall into the area to keep your brain in shape.
How We can change our genes? This is a hot area of research. We have made great progress in understanding how our genes are modified in the biochemistry level, but we're still scratching the surface to understand what behaviors or experiences because of these changes.
However, research now is compatible with the function for a few lifestyle factors. First, what we eat can have an effect on how our genes have changed. Certainly, pregnant women partial control over the modification of the genes of their unborn through food choices. But there are also data suggesting that the diets of men can control epigenetic modifications of their future children and even grandchildren. Secondly, stress levels and exposure to trauma is likely which are key factors in controlling epigenetic modifications.
Okay. So the way we choose to live our lives can change our genes and that can pass the amendments to our next generations. But what kind of effect is it?
Once again, the field is young, but there are some interesting studies there. A new study by Chang et al. From the Rockefeller University published in the Journal of Neuroscience, rodents used to show that a mother's diet during high-fat diet had babies, which, after birth, showed a preference for fat (more than carbohydrates), ate more when are allowed to eat freely, and showed an increase in many hormones that make you feel hungry. This includes the hormones released by the intestine and feeding behavior that control the level of your brain. Not surprisingly, these baby rats became fatter adolescents (they are not followed in later adulthood) and her high triglycerides and high insulin. In humans, these types of changes can be linked to increased risk for diabetes, heart disease and depression.
To be clear, this study was solely on the mother's diet. There were control rats that were genetically very similar, they ate a balanced diet and their offspring do not have these problems. This means that high-fat diet who ate mom caused epigenetic changes in puppies that manipulated the production of genes leading to poor dietary choices in the offspring, even after Mom was out of the picture.
There are some interesting studies in humans, and suggest that these effects apply to us as well as our lab rat friends. And not just the mother's diet that counts, though probably has the greatest effect. Another study found that the paternal grandparents who suffered from a famine, had grandchildren with an increased risk for diabetes.
So to answer the question posed in the title of this article, yes and no. You are probably stuck with the genes you're born, but how you choose to use the genes (and transmission to their children) depends on how you choose to live. Even if you are beyond their reproductive years, the behaviors that instill in their children and grandchildren can alter their genes and their future generations, why not change for the better?
References:
The Journal of Neuroscience (2008), 28 (46) :11753-11759.
The Journal of Neuroscience (2008), 28 (46) :12107-12119.
About the Author:
Dr. Simon Evans holds a PhD in molecular biology with 15 years research and teaching experience in neuroscience and a current faculty position in the Psychiatry Department at the University of Michigan. He is a member of the Society for Neuroscience, the American Society for Nutrition and the Michigan Metabolomics and Obesity Center; with expertise in neurochemistry and nutrition. He is the author of dozens of scientific publications on stress, depression and brain function as well as the acclaimed book, BrainFit for Life, published in the Spring of 2008.
Dr. Evans also holds a national coaching license from the United States Soccer Federation and over two decades coaching experience, which enables him to help people find and use their full potential. Dr. Evans has merged his interests in brain function, health, and performance coaching into public seminars and workshops designed to educate audiences about brain health and motivate them to take action to achieve it.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Are You Stuck With the Genes You Were Born With?
