Say What? Epigenetics?

It's Not All Discouraging News! Science Is Giving Us Hope and There Are Things You Can Do Today to Improve Your Gut Health😎

I recently read and posted an article (you can find it on Kimberley Tyson LinkedIn and anatole Facebook pages) on gut health and the many life altering diseases that are being attributed to poor gut health and lack of microbiome health and diversity. This article resonates with me as does a follow up article I posted concerning autism and gut health. The aforementioned article addressed Altzheimer’s and Parkison’s in particular. Although the article doesn't directly link Altzheimer's and Parkinson's, what we do know is that current research shows the two diseases have the same root in the gut.

Perhaps the reason one person develops Altzheimer's and another Parkinson's is due to our DNA and our unique gene pool. The trigger for both is from our unhealthy gut which activates and opens the existing "door," if genetically one exists, in our personal DNA expression. So does it matter what  we are genetically predisposed to? This is where the research in epigenetics is taking us, learning why these gene “doors” open and how to shut the existing "doors" that should not be opened.

So what is epigenetics? Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene activity that are not caused by changes or damage in the DNA sequence or code but by chemical modifications that control which genes are turned on or off.  Like a “door” being opened or closed allowing genetic expression or stopping the expression. It's like a set of instructions for your body to use your personal genetic code in different ways, allowing cells to specialize and respond to their environment. When genes we do not want turned on, or the “door” opens for unhealthy genetic expression is when disease is able to take control. If not activated in the genes, this disease may have otherwise sat dormant within one’s DNA for a lifetime, never expressing itself. One would remain healthy. Or conversely if we can close the “door” on unhealthy genetic expression, we could possibly become healthy again or at least stop the progression of life-threatening diseases.

Let’s close the circle on this conversation. I am not a doctor, but I contemplate this because the article made me think. I have married friends; he recently died of Parkinson's and she has Alzheimer's. What do they have in common? The same home (toxic?) environment and basic diet for 30 years. She has a history of Altzheimer's in her family, the DNA is present, but what "kicked" the Altzheimer's into manifesting with her. Perhaps he had the genetic predisposition to Parkinson's and that is what was activated in his body.

My last thought in bringing this together. Although different, in at least one point in their lives they were both on heavy antibiotics or other chemical toxins. She is a cancer survivor and has had her body wreaked by chemo. He was a VietNam war veteran and was exposed to military chemicals of war and of course we know our overseas military are given many vaccines. Both scenarios create havoc in the body, our microbiomes, and in particular our gut microbiota; where our health begins. It could be that the subsequent trigger from poor gut health allowed the genetic expression of these diseases to be activated and debilitate his body with Parkinson’s and her mind with Altzheimer’s.

Here is the good news! There are many things we can begin today, and exciting progress in the works for improving our microbiota and microbiome health. Let me share a few of these items:

  🙌 Feed your gut a diet rich in prebiotics (flora food!) found in fermented foods, eat foods with active cultures such as Greek yogurt, MAC’s (microbiota accessible carbohydrates,) and eat plenty of fiber! At the same time keep your sugar intake low.

 🙌 Avoid antibiotics and over the counter medications

 🙌 If you do take antibiotics or over the counter medications, once your course is complete replenish your gut with a quality prebiotic and probiotic.

 🙌 Take a quality probiotic every day!

 🙌 Create a toxin free environment in your home and office.

🙌 Ditch the toxic chemicals you clean with.

 🙌 Ditch any toxin laden skin and hair care products you use.

 🙌I recommend a cleanse for your body at least every 6 months that works at the cellular level to rid your systems of toxins, then replenish with a probiotic.

 🙌 doTERRA has been on the bleeding edge of research in epigenetics for the past 7 years, working to find how essential oils may close the doors to genetically expressed diseases.

🙌 We have access to a new, FDA approved Probiome system.

 I am happy to help you find what is right for you to begin this part of your wellness journey. It is a journey, and your health begins with your microbiome! You can schedule a free, personal wellness consultation with me by going to my site: https://kimberleytyson.com.

Bonus Tip: I am currently listening to The Good Gut, by Justin and Erica Sonnenburg, PhDs. I believe you will find it educational without getting bogged down in “dry” science.

Hugs and Health!