All About Genetics – How We Turn Genes on and Off

ALL ABOUT GENETICS - BANNER POST

We often talk about genetics as if it’s set in stone. For example, “She just has good genes” or “He is born with it” are common phrases. However, over the past decade, biochemists and geneticists discovered that your genetic expression changes over time. Based on environmental, cultural, or genetic factors, certain genes are strongly expressive while others are dormant. Therefore, genes give us a lot of information.

Your Food Choices Affect Your Genes

According to recent study from Norway (NTNU), research show that a balanced diet is the best recipe for a life free of chronic diseases later in life. For instance, the best diet is a combination of 1/3 protein, 1/3 fat, and 1/3 carbohydrates. However, not everyone gets to enjoy a balanced diet. Even people in Norway.

Case Study

Did you know that the food you eat affects your genes? During a study from the Institute of Science and Technology of Norway, researchers fed slightly overweight participants different diets. They studied the effect of their consumption of food on their gene expression. Gene expression refers to the process where information from a gene’s DNA sequence is translated into a protein-like substance. This protein substance is then packaged and then used in the subject’s cell structure or function. The latest findings are astounding.

Findings of the Norway Studies

Geneticist studies reveal that a diet with 65% carbohydrates, which is often the average Norwegian meal. This type of diet causes certain genes to work overtime. Eating certain foods affect not only the genes, it also triggers the development of inflammation, cardiovascular disease, dementia, diabetes, and some cancers. At the end of the day, we see that there is a symbiotic relationship between food and preventable lifestyle disease. NORWEGAN FAMILY DINNER - GENE EXPRESSION CASE STUDY

Preventable Lifestyle Disease

Are human beings designed to be magnets for sickness and disease? What do you think? These are questions weigh heavily on the hearts and minds of today’s geneticists. What if these lifestyle-related diseases prove to be preventable? What if food replaced medicine?

Let Food Be Thy Medicine

It looks like Hippocrates; the father of modern medicine is right – his theory that “Food is Medicine” makes headlines. Even Hollywood super stars replace their old diets with a plant-based diet.  Not only do they give up past unhealthy habits, but they also get amazing results.  Let’s dig a little deeper into our exploration of the relationship between your genes, your diet, and your health.

What is a Gene?

As you probably know, a gene is not made by Levi 501 jeans. The gene is the basic unit of hereditary information. Genes pass down from parents to offspring and contain the information needed to specify physical and biological traits. Most genes code for specific proteins. These proteins have differing functions within the body. Humans have approximately 25,000 protein-coding genes. Every person has two copies of each gene. We inherit one gene from each parent.

Genes carry the information that determines your traits. For example, if both of your parents have green eyes, you will inherit the trait of green eyes from them. Or if your mom has freckles, you will inherit freckles from her. However, genes aren’t just found in humans, though – all animals and plants have genes, too. I guess you wonder where these genes are located.

Where are these Important Genes?

Genes are so small; you can’t see them. They are found on tiny spaghetti-like structures called chromosomes (Kro-moh-somes). These chromosomes are found inside cells. Your body is made of billions of cells. Cells are the very small units that make up all living things. A cell is so tiny that you can only see it using a strong microscope.

Chromosomes come in matching sets of two (or pairs) and there are hundreds – sometimes thousands – of genes in just one chromosome. The chromosomes and genes are made of DNA, which is short for deoxyribonucleic (dee-ox-se-ri-bo-nyoo-Clay-ik) acid. These are the intricacies of genetics. DNA DIAGRAM - CONNECTION TO CHROMOSOMES AND CELLS

Genetics is a Branch of Biology

Genetics is a branch of biology that specialize in the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity. Although the study of genetics was around many years ago, Gregor Mendel, was the first to study it scientifically.

What traits are Genetic?

Parents pass on traits or characteristics such as eye color and blood type to their children through their genes. Some health conditions and diseases are also passed on. One characteristic, such as blood type, has many different forms.  For example, you can inherit blood type A, B, AB, or O. In addition, you can inherit Ab, Positive, B Positive, O Negative, O Positive (universal blood type) blood type. Altogether, these make up your genetic information.

What is Genetic Information?

Genetic information includes information about your individual genetic tests and the genetic tests of your family members. In addition, it includes data about a disease or a disorder of a family member (i.e., family medical history). This information leads to the next topic regarding gene expression. GENE EXPRESSION - ILLUSTRATION OF GENE FUNCTION

Gene Expression

Gene expression is the process by which information is encoded in a gene. This information is then used to make RNA molecules that code for proteins.  In addition, information is used to make non-coding RNA molecules that serve other functions. This sounds a bit scientific; I know. 

Gene expression is used in biological research to understand the mechanisms of complex disorders such as heart disease, cancer, and other metabolic disorders. These disorders are summarized in the theory of the central dogma of biology.

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

Gene expression is summarized in the central dogma of molecular biology. This anthology was first formulated by Francis Crick in 1958. The central dogma of molecular biology is a theory stating that genetic information flows only in one direction, from DNA, to protein, or RNA directly to protein. Another interesting subdivision of genetics is called nutrigenetics. 

Nutrigenetics

Nutrigenetics is the study of the relationships between genes, diet, and health outcomes. Nutrigenomics, on the other hand, is a related but distinct field. It is the study of how genes and nutrients interact at the molecular level. However, the field of nutrigenetics is relatively new. Therefore, science and technology makes headlines in this new field of study.  This research revolves around your genes and nutrigenetics.

Nutrigenics is a burgeoning new field of science. In fact. it is a developing science that identifies genetic susceptibility to diseases. Nutrigenetics is important for the following reasons:

  • It identifies the ways in which genes interact with food in the body.
  • Enables us to realize how your genes react to foods, beverage, and supplements
  • Genetic specialists plan your diet based on your genetic make-up.
  • Genetics, environment and food come are interrelated. NUTRIGENITIC - HOLISTIC LIFESTYE, NUTRITION, GENETICS

The Relationship Between Genes, Environment and Food

In 2016, researchers in Norway carried out a study on the relationship between genetics, environment, and food preferences. The result of this study shows that genetic factors influence how much food we eat. The study included six food groups – vegetables, fruits, starchy foods, meat or fish, dairy and snacks.

As a result, Biologists in Norway found that certain genes cause food cravings. If scientists conquer food cravings and triggers, once and for all, we conquer the obesity crisis, once and for all. Is the key to weight loss inside our DNA?

DNA Tell What’s the Best Foods for You

According to genetic specialists, 45% of people’s genes need a high carbohydrate diet, 47% need moderate and only 8% need low.  Therefore, your DNA reveals things about your genotype. In addition, DNA also shows your food sensitivities to lactose, gluten, caffeine, and protein. In fact, DNA can show which foods are healthiest for you. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a gene?

Your DNA is made up of different sections called genes. Each gene is responsible for creating proteins that perform different tasks.

Function of proteins?

Proteins are created by genes to carry out specific tasks in the body. Some of these tasks shape how you look or your body’s ability to work smoothly.

What is Genetic Information?

Deep inside every part of your body lies special information that is passed down to you by your birth parents and helps shape what you look like and how your body works.

What is a cell?

The smallest unit of life. Your body is made up of trillions of cells.

What is a chromosome?

Within each cell there are 23 pairs of chromosomes that you inherit from your birth parents.

What is DNA?

Each chromosome is made of strands of deoxyribonucleic acid, also known as DNA. DNA carries the genetic information needed to build and maintain everything in your body.

Why is genetics important?

You can think of your genes as an instruction manual within your cells. They give your body direction for what to do and how to do it. Genes provide instruction for physical qualities such as eye and hair color.

What does gene expression do?

Gene expression is the process of turning on a specific gene to start making messenger RNA. The messenger RNA performs intended jobs in the cell and forms proteins. Gene expression also controls how much messenger RNA is made.

What does DNA have to do with your diet?

Our food choices are shaped by different factors such as culture, learning and age, and by our environment.

Leveraging Environmental and Genetic Influences

Studies help us understand the role genetics play in our lives. Science tells us that the interaction between genes and environment shape human development. Despite the misconception that genes are “set in stone,” research shows that early experiences determine how genes are turned on and off, or whether some are expressed at all.   Science and technology are the key to unlock the obesity puzzle. We are certainly moving in that direction.  FREEDOM FROM OBESITY - UNLOCK THE CODE

Final Take Home

The human body is a highly complex instrument. It consists of 25,000 genes, cells, chromosomes, DNA, RNA, and much more. Genetics a vast field that overlaps with biology, biochemistry, genealogy, gene expression. These studies help us find out our own inherited traits, characteristics, behaviors, and traditions. As a result, we find the causes of certain diseases, genetic mutations, and discovery solutions to chronic diseases and other medical conditions.

Thank You

Thank you for following through to the end of this articles. I hope you found something worthwhile to talk about with your friends and family members. We are all in this together. What I like most about my posts is that I get to have conversation with you. You give me more motivation to keep on doing what I do. I welcome all your thoughts, comments, ideas, questions, and feedback.  Leave them in the space provided below.

Rachele, Founder

mybluegenes.com (website)

rachele@mybluegenes.com

6 thoughts on “All About Genetics – How We Turn Genes on and Off”

  1. Thank you for posting this information.
    My reason for connecting with you is to see if there was any way to turn my dormant genes on at the age of 66 years old.

    Since our brains are plastic in nature, and can grow, I was wondering how much control we have over our dormant genes. My thought was that genes turn on when needed, especially under duress, stress or even when faced with consistently difficult mental tasks. I’ve noticed that during certain circumstances in my life I’ve done things I was never trained for and did them perfectly, to save my own life more than once. I’ve always wondered if certain genes turned on at that very moment to help me escape very dangerous situations. What are your thoughts?
    Robert

    Reply
    • Robert,

      Genes have no respect of persons. If you are incorporating a healthier lifestyle, the sky is the limit. Keep up the good work. Looks like you are already doing reverse engineering on your genes. Keep turning on those good genes. It will definitely pay off.

      Rachele

      Reply
  2. I want to express my gratitude to you for writing such an informative and detailed piece about genetics. In point of fact, I was given a lot of useful information regarding matters of this nature today. And a few of these revelations took me completely by surprise. Keep publishing like this. I will most certainly pass this along.

    Reply
    • Pasindu,

      I am elated by your inspiring comments about what I am writing about genetics. It is a topic that I am very passionate about. The study of genetics is like peeling an onion. There are layers upon layers to dive into. Being able to turn on the good genes, in and of itself, is mind-blowing.

      Thank for encouraging me to continue on this pathway.

      Rachele

      Reply
  3. I appreciate your hard work my friend. The whole topic gave me comprehensive information about Genes, How they work, where they come from and how can we have better Genes by controlling our healthy diet. Everyone has to know about it. Thanks, a lot for the information you shared with us.

    Reply
    • Liam,

      Once I finished my summer course in the study of genetics at Mt. San Jacinto College I was hooked. I got to participate in an assignment where I actually took a Q-tip swab and swirled it inside of my cheek and we had to follow precise instructions to the letter. So, the stuff from the Q-tip has to go into the vial.

      As a result, I had, basically placed my DNA inside of a vial. This was revelational because I had the opportunity actually see the double helix inside of the vial. It was like a religious experience. My DNA has been handed down from generation to generation and I got to see it with my own eyes.

      Thanks so much for your inspiring comments. 

      Rachele

      Reply

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