TMHS 715: How To Fix Your “Bad” Genes & Why The Healthcare Industry Is Bankrupting Americans - With Kashif Khan
Aug 22, 2023
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Kashif Khan, a health expert, discusses the power of lifestyle choices in optimizing genetic expression and preventing disease. Topics include the impact of food and pharmaceutical industries on health, the role of inflammation in chronic disease, and dietary changes for better health.
Genes alone cannot cause disease; our daily choices greatly influence our health outcomes.
Minimizing exposure to environmental toxins can prevent chronic diseases.
Functional genomics empowers us to make informed choices about our health based on our unique genetic variations.
Deep dives
The Impact of Environmental Factors on Gene Expression
Our body's composition is influenced by the food we eat, as every cell is made from the nutrients we consume. The proteins and minerals that make up our body's tissues are derived from the compounds found in the food we eat. Genes play a critical role in producing these proteins, providing the blueprint for our physical makeup. However, the diversity in human appearances, health status, and personalities can be attributed to variations in our genes. While genes are influential, our lifestyle choices and environmental factors, such as the food we eat and the toxins we are exposed to, greatly impact our gene expression and overall health.
Understanding the Connection Between Environmental Toxins and Chronic Diseases
Environmental toxins, such as forever chemicals, can have detrimental effects on our health. These chemicals are found in our water, food, and even everyday products like toilet paper and tampons. Going beyond genetics, our exposure to these toxins plays a significant role in the development of chronic diseases. The accumulation of toxic substances in our bodies and their interaction with our genes can lead to conditions like cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and hormonal imbalances. By acknowledging and minimizing our exposure to these toxins, we can take important steps towards preventing chronic diseases.
The Power of Functional Genomics in Personalized Medicine
Functional genomics offers a new perspective on healthcare by examining how our genes influence our unique biological responses. While genetics alone cannot determine our health outcomes, understanding the functional aspects of our genes can empower us to make informed choices regarding our wellbeing. Traits like mood, behavior, and disease susceptibility can be linked to specific genetic variations. By incorporating this knowledge into our lifestyle choices, such as diet and supplementation, we can effectively manage our health and even prevent certain diseases from manifesting.
The Current State of Health and Healthcare
The healthcare system in the United States is facing multiple challenges, leaving many individuals struggling with chronic diseases and financial burdens. Healthcare costs are one of the leading causes of personal bankruptcy, with the system focusing more on symptom management rather than addressing the root causes of diseases. The prevalence of chronic diseases continues to rise, with inflammation being a common underlying factor. The current model of healthcare is failing to address the environmental and lifestyle factors that contribute to diseases, perpetuating a vicious cycle of illness and financial hardship for many people.
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There’s a pervasive myth surrounding chronic illnesses. Far too many folks have fallen victim to the disempowering idea that our genes dictate our health outcomes. While variants of certain genes can be a risk factor for developing some conditions, genes alone cannot cause disease. The most important factor in determining your health is the choices that you make on a daily basis, because genetic expression is directly impacted by environmental factors like diet, stress, toxic load, and sleep.
Today’s guest, Kashif Khan, is the CEO and founder of The DNA Company and the author of The DNA Way. His work is dedicated to helping folks utilize functional genomics, using insights about their personal genome to optimize their health. In this interview, you’re going to hear the fascinating science on how to prevent disease and age healthfully through lifestyle choices.
You’ll learn the underlying principles of functional genomics, and lifestyle changes you can implement to improve your genetic expression and overall quality of life. This episode contains conversations on how the food industry and the pharmaceutical industry impact our collective health, the role of inflammation in chronic disease, and simple dietary changes that can improve your health. Understanding the ability you have to influence your gene expression can be incredibly empowering, and I know you’re going to enjoy Kashif’s insights on this episode of The Model Health Show!
In this episode you’ll discover:
What the main difference between genetics and genomics is.
The truth about BRCA gene mutations and cancer risk.
How understanding your genome can help inform your choices.
Why our body’s detox pathways can’t keep up with our environment.
How forever chemicals can make you sick.
The difference between food regulations in the US and other countries.
How to source high-quality water.
Why toilet paper and tampons can increase your toxic load.
The scary truth about plastic food storage.
Why genes are not the cause of disease.
How Kashif got into the field of functional genomics.
The importance of understanding systems, not symptoms.
What telomeres are, and how long they should last.
A shocking statistic on bankruptcy and healthcare costs.
How many of our top killers are rooted in inflammation.
Why the American lifespan is declining.
An interesting connection between cholesterol and inflammation levels.
Why 80% of dementia cases occur in women.
The critical role omega 3 fats play in the body.
How your microbiome and immune health are connected.
