Express Yourself

 The Human Genome Project

A Grandfather died from Heart Disease, the Father died from Heart Disease, the son will probably die from Heart Disease. Is that not a logical conclusion that we Americans make?  Wait a minute your doctor says if you change you diet, exercise and lose weight you will not suffer the same fate. What he is saying that you have control of where you want to go. Your Health fate!!  The Human Genome Project (HGP), which started in 1990, was planned for 15 years and 3 billion in cost. These scientists were to map and sequence the human Genome, meaning they were going to diagram and map out the complete set of genes and human chromosomes.  They have finished 2 years ahead of schedule and the finings are fascinating. You say,” so what” what does this have to do with my health or me. Well a lot!!

You see the excuse of my grandmother had it my mother had and died from it is no longer a scapegoat for our poor choices, when it comes to our health.

Having the genes that determine heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. does not always mean you will get the disease. Genetic switches, which happen everyday in our DNA, are affected by the choices we make everyday.

This is exciting in the fact that now we know that our genetic expression can be controlled. Yes we determine our fate.  The discoveries at the molecular level are being discovered weekly. 12,000 mutations have been found on over 600 genes. These new discoveries are helping scientist relate specific mutations to specific disease. With this, prevention strategies can be developed to your genetic makeup. Predictive Genomic testing- test that help identify people who are at risk of getting a disease. The idea is to give the individual, their doctors, their nutritionist information that can help them take action (exercise, nutritional therapy and other CAM modalities) before the symptom appear. The scientist also know that the genes can be turned on or off by environmental cues. This means our genes have a dormant predisposition to express a particular trait. They know that specific circumstances or behaviors can either trigger or discourage the eventual expression of that trait. This advance warning of genetic risk will help spur otherwise apathetic patients into self-care measures.

Preventing the suffering and disease is the whole focus on Nutrigenomics (study of how individual dietary and nutrition factors impact genetic expression and disease).  Nutrigenomics has gotten a huge boast from the HGP. The human diet requires at minimum about 40 micronutrients. Any micronutrient deficiency can cause DNA damage and are associated with a # of diseases. For example B-6 and B-12 deficiency is associated with cardiovascular disease, Folic acid deficiency can cause chromosomes breaks in the DNA, which may lead to Heart disease and Colon cancer. Researchers have found about 50 human genetic diseases. What else is exciting is that the natural occurring chemicals in our food can alter our genetic expression in a number of ways and that specific chemicals affect genetic expression differently in different individuals.  Certain food chemicals (mineral, botanical, lipids) will encourage positive genetic expression in one individual but in another individual it might be neutral or antagonistic. Can you see why playing Russian roulette while trying to guess at your supplement choices or, exercise plan intake is reckless.

It is probable that genomic testing will soon be part of proactive healthcare effort to predict not only which of these diseases we are most at risk of developing but also what foods, supplements, drugs and types and intensity of exercise are best for optimum health. Just imagine, in the future we may be able to see our personal genomic information so that we could obtain a specific list of foods and supplements to enhance out genetic expression. For now we need to use our doctors, nutritionist, and our personal understanding to guide our choices.

Some dust has to settle and much is still to be uncovered before this testing would go mainstream. Though it is worth your time to get familiar with genetic concepts. It is worth understanding that how our simple choice in life can now flip the genetic switches that will make or break our health down the road.

 As the disease and symptoms appear the CAM (complimentary alternative medicine) choice become much less effective. The poor choices (poor diet, wrong or no exercise, smoking, excess stress) which lead to negative signs (weight gain, headaches, aches, poor blood biomarkers) will be furthered expressed in the full-blown disease. Proactive choice or reactive waiting. Many test (colonoscopy, mammogram, prostate exam) that seem normal are nothing but early detection. They have nothing to with prevention. These test are not something to avoid or negative but we have to understand that if we find the state of disease with these test we have ignored the power of guiding our fate with genetic expression. Prevention is choosing lifestyle that positively expresses you genes so that you experience optimum health. Choosing a proactive healthy lifestyle and listening to the whispers that your body has given puts the ball in your corner. We can heed or ignore, act or sit, responded or react. Our choice will lead to the genetic expression of disease or Optimum health.

Here’s another point to ponder: you noticed when we started in the beginning of article with a grandfather, a father, and a son. The weakened DNA was passed that lead to the genetic traits of each generation. Very rarely do studies show degenerative disease pass from great grandfather or great great grandfather. Why? Well the expanding state of degenerative disease is something new to our society, increasing only at the dawn of the industrial revolution. That is a very interesting contemplation and a topic for another article. Have wonderful month.

Marc

Good/Bad and the Ugly

           (A monthly section to point out what is an asset and a detriment to ones health).

 The American Diabetic Association say there are no bad foods just bad diets. That sounds easy to digest and is politically correct. But we have to take a stand and point out what foods will enhance or be a detriment to ones optimum health. This section is to be politically incorrect and point out one food that have been shown to positively or negatively affect ones health.

The Good

Omega 3 fat

Good sources of this include fresh ocean (sardines, salmon), linseed (flax), pumpkin seeds, beans, and walnuts. Some vegetables even contain Omega 3 and wheat germ oil also. Most Americans do not get enough and without proper amount in diet inflammation will be the result. Inflammation will express itself in vessels and lead to many inflammatory diseases. If you do not get Omega 3 in diet everyday. , Supplementing with an Omega 3 supplement might be prudent.

The Bad

Doughnuts

Well I know I will get on the do not invite to breakfast list with many people with this. But we have to understand why this is possibly the worst food for any ones health. From infant to adult this food will lead to vascular problems, insulin dysfunction and a host of other negative health concerns.

1. It is white processed flour, which is one of the most allergenic foods in America; the flour is extremely high on the glycemic index. This mean that the blood sugar will shoot up then body releases insulin, which in turn will shut down, for many hours, the hormones that help you metabolize fat.
2.  It had the worst possible fat (trans fatty acid) that you can put in your body. This fat that they cook doughnuts in is heated to over 600 degrees adding hydrogen to it. It now has a shelf life comparable to the Egyptian Pyramids. This means that even bacteria will not eat it. You would think we are smarter than bacteria. This fat is also a leading cause of inflammation, leading to possible tumor formation. These fats have also been shown enhance the progression of many cancers. It is like adding gasoline to forest fire. Also related to negative neurological changes. Might not want your child going to school with a deficit in his/her corner. These Trans fatty acids are also in most packaged snacks.
3. Processed Sugar. Doughnuts are just loaded with processed white sugar. This sugar will increase insulin production leading to fat, which will predispose you to cancer, heart disease, diabetes and a host of other degenerative diseases. Syndrome X or dis-insulinsm is also been related to ADD and other behavior problem in children.   

Devotional /Winter 2004

“Everything is permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial, everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”

1 Corinthians 6:12

 Have you ever thought that you could not get going without that cup of coffee in the morning or without extra helping, that dessert after dinner or without any specific food.  Food is a good thing if we choice well and not allow it to master us.

Freedom is a mark of the Christian faith. It is freedom to use and enjoy anything that comes from God. Scripture is not saying that we should abuse this freedom. Gluttony leads to obesity. Poor food choices lead to disease. The freedom that God has given us is a gift to be used wisely.  Try going 7 days without a food you find yourself needing everyday. You will find out if you master food or if that food masters you. Pray to thank God for the freedom to choose and pray that we choose to glorify him with our body. Try that prayer this month.

We can do all things through him.

Marc