How Our Life Experiences Influence Our Gene Expression And Overall Health
Sep 25, 2023
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In this engaging discussion, guests Dr. Jeff Bland, a pioneer in immuno-rejuvenation, Dr. Bruce Lipton, a trailblazer in epigenetics, and Dr. Todd LePine, a holistic health expert, explore how our life experiences shape our gene expression and overall health. They delve into the impact of lifestyle choices and emotional well-being on genetic outcomes. The conversation highlights innovative solutions for stress relief, the transformative power of love and mindfulness, and the hidden dangers of environmental toxins on our health.
Our environment and social connections can influence gene expression, impacting our health.
Conscious lifestyle choices can epigenetically modify genes, improving our health and well-being.
Phytochemicals in plants can regulate gene expression, promoting overall health.
Deep dives
The Influence of Environment on Gene Expression
Our environment and the people we interact with have a direct impact on the expression of our genes. Signals from our environment are picked up by our genes, ultimately modifying their expression. This concept, known as epigenetics, suggests that behaviors, lifestyle choices, thoughts, feelings, and social connections can influence which genes are turned on or off. Methylation patterns can be used to measure these epigenetic modifications. For example, experiences of trauma or social deprivation can impact gene expression, while nurturing and positive social interactions can favorably express genes associated with happiness and fulfillment.
The Power of Epigenetic Modulation
Epigenetic modulation, or the ability to modify gene expression, has profound implications for health and disease. Research suggests that lifestyle factors such as nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, and social connections can epigenetically modify our genes. By making conscious lifestyle choices, we can change harmful epigenetic tags, even after birth, and improve our health and well-being. For example, studies show that lifestyle changes can affect DNA methylation patterns, inflammation levels, immune function, and even aging. This discovery reframes healthcare, emphasizing the importance of holistic approaches that address the root causes of disease and focus on optimizing gene expression for optimal health.
The Role of Phytochemicals in Epigenetic Regulation
Phytochemicals, which are naturally occurring compounds found in plants, play a crucial role in epigenetic regulation. Different phytochemicals can modulate specific genes and influence their expression patterns. For example, polyphenols found in cocoa have been shown to have powerful effects on regulating genes through epigenetic mechanisms. These phytochemicals can signal to our genes and modify their expression in ways that promote health and well-being. Phytochemicals are essential components of a balanced diet and have benefits for immune function, brain chemistry, hormonal regulation, and more. Emphasizing the consumption of phytochemical-rich foods can help optimize gene expression and improve overall health.
Changing Our Programming for Optimal Health
Our beliefs, attitudes, and thoughts are programmed into our subconscious mind during early childhood development. These subconscious programs, which make up 95% of our daily thoughts, drive our behaviors, choices, and beliefs. To improve our health and well-being, we need to identify and change the disempowering programs that are limiting us. This can be achieved through various techniques and approaches such as therapy, self-reflection, meditation, behavioral changes, and conscious programming. By shifting our mindset, embracing personal responsibility, and reprogramming our subconscious, we can create positive changes in our health and transform our lives.
Methods of self-hypnosis
The podcast episode discusses different methods of self-hypnosis. One method involves using earphones or earbuds with a program that you want to be true in your life. By wearing them every night and falling asleep, the subconscious mind enters a state of hypnosis, allowing for the repetition of the desired program to make changes over time. Another method mentioned is repetition. By continuously repeating a new habit or belief, it can eventually be downloaded into the subconscious mind, leading to lasting change.
The role of the exposome in health
The exposome is the sum total of all the toxic exposures we encounter in our environment, both externally and internally. This includes factors such as air pollution, water contaminants, heavy metals, and even our thoughts and emotions. The episode highlights the impact of heavy metals on health, specifically mentioning mercury and lead. Heavy metals can disrupt enzymes, cause protein misfolding, and contribute to various health issues such as neurodegenerative conditions. Assessing heavy metal toxicity in the body can be done through blood, urine, or hair analysis, with methods like provocation testing providing a more accurate view of lifetime exposure.
Epigenetics is the study of how our environment and behavior can influence which of our genes are turned on or off. That’s right—we’re born with many different genes, but that does not mean they are all active. Genes can be activated or silenced from so many different things, like what you eat, how you move, and how you restore your system. Your thoughts, feelings, and social connections even regulate your genes too. You can turn on genes that create health or disease or weight gain or weight loss.
In today’s episode, I talk with Drs. Jeff Bland, Bruce Lipton, and Todd LePine about how environmental and lifestyle factors are significant determining factors of your health.
Dr. Jeff Bland is the founder of Big Bold Health, a company on a mission to transform the way people think about one of nature’s greatest innovations—the immune system. Through Big Bold Health, Jeff is advocating for the power of immuno-rejuvenation to enhance immunity at a global level, often through the rediscovery of ancient food crops and superfoods. Jeff’s career in health spans more than 40 years. A nutritional biochemist by training, he began in academia as a university professor. Jeff then spent three decades in the natural products industry, working alongside other pioneers.
Dr. Bruce Lipton is a stem cell biologist and author of the bestselling books The Biology of Belief, Spontaneous Evolution, and The Honeymoon Effect. Dr. Lipton is the recipient of the prestigious Japanese Goi Peace Award and has been listed in “the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People” by Watkins Mind Body Spirit magazine for the last 13 years.
Dr. Todd LePine graduated from Dartmouth Medical School and is board certified in internal medicine, specializing in Integrative Functional Medicine. He is an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner. Prior to joining The UltraWellness Center, he worked as a physician at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA, for 10 years. Dr. LePine’s focus at The UltraWellness Center is to help his patients achieve optimal health and vitality by restoring the natural balance to both the mind and the body.
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Full-length episodes (and corresponding links) of these interviews can be found here:
