Primal Blueprint

Unlocking DNA potential though lifestyle

It is common place understanding the environmental factors have an influence on development, as well as evolution of cellular processes. The epigenetic school of thought evolved to look at the concept of trans generational inheritance which refers to factors, or markers that are transmitted from one organism to the next, and the impact of their effect on future generations, this is also known as epigenetic inheritance.

Researchers have shown impacts and epigenetic influences on the process of gene transcription, to the structural template and the potential for evolution and adaptation of our innate, as well as acquired characteristics.

The idea that genes do not solely determine the outcome of our physiology, psychology, behavior, or health, but that there is a factor of environmental influence that drives the expression of our genetics is at the center of the epigenetic revolution. The term “Epi” is translated from Greek to: Over, outside of, or around. In the expression of Epigenetics Epi refers to factors that exist in addition to, or above our inheritance. These factors are aspects that affect the expression or outcome of genetic potential.

The study of epigenetics opens us up to a deep awareness of looking into the impact of our beliefs, foods, climate, social behavior and other environmental impacts such as toxins and technologies will have on the evolution of our genetic code. This study also opens us up into the important understanding of how these influences can be controlled, altered and augmented though behavior, choice and awareness. When people understand the role of environment, belief and behavior they have access to the power of enhancing the expression of their genetic code.

In example, we know that toxins have a damaging impact on the DNA, so the removal of toxins from the body or avoidance of toxins by choice is powerful way to enhance genetic performance and health. In practices such as eating organic or using products free of toxins one has a direct impact on the longevity and vitality of their genetic code. Preventative medicine and lifestyle medicine taps us into being in control of our health and evolutionary potential though access to our will power and choices wound living a healthy life.

As we stand at the cross roads of medical technology, genetic testing we have future just as promising if not more sustainable and powerful as we take back health in our own hands though our behavior. Instead of waiting for a laboratory solution or augmentation that nanotechnology may offer in the future for our health we can choose lifestyles that give us the best possible outcome of unlocking genetic potential. The approaches to lifestyle medicine are simple and have a profound impact on supporting, not only health of this generation, but generations to come though teaching our children healthy habits and passing on more robust vital energies.

Dr. Bruce Lipton, author of the Biology of Belief, and pioneer in the field of epigenetics has extensively researched the impact of thought and consciousness on the expression of the genetic code. His work has shown that our consciousness and construct of beliefs play a powerful role in the expression of our genetics. If you think that you are not capable of something, or that your body is unhealthy or designed to break down, you essentially are sending that message to your body system and it will, in time, express those negative physiological traits and begin to break down based on your thoughts and beliefs.

Researchers looking at the impacts of stress have discovered the ideas and belief we attach to our bodies experiences and sensations change the way we use those signals, or how physiological states effect us. In example if you feel your heart rate increasing it is a sign your body is giving you more energy to complete a task if you go

with the flow of increased blood you have to boost you need to get through. However if you perceive the increase to be overwhelming or too intense, possibly as a sign of danger or negative stress, and back off the task at hand you never fulfill the completion of the task, and shifting towards the hormonal reward state accomplishment. This leaves the body in a heightened state of overwhelm that doesn’t get calmed through transformation of that energy into an outcome, in a sense you work yourself up for nothing and the body doesn’t have the pathway to process all that extra energy and biological charges.

This look into epigenetic factors also gets very interesting when we explore the psychology of the relationship we have to ourself and others. We can find nuances in the patterns we perpetuate through our lives, based on the conscious or unconscious belief systems we hold from our acquired experience in life as well as our generational experiences of trauma or greatness inherited from generations past. Mind body medicine and the journey of deconstruction though various spiritual pathways has opened up doorways of awareness for people transforming their behaviors and beliefs. The pathway to understanding subconscious and inherited personality characteristics as at the core of many contemplative studies and supports practitioners to become more evolved interpersonally and socially.

Dr. Lipton’s work has show us that states of love, bliss and happiness have long term impacts on the physiology and health of our DNA as well as our potential to grow. Relationship satisfaction whether family, intimate or professionally is constantly informing our bodies ability to grow and mirroring inner tendencies. The greatness we experience though shared joy, intimacy and play strengthens our immune systems, growth hormones and overall biological potential. The ability to create and procreate though loving and joyous relationships will have a dramatic impact on the health and development of our children and creative projects.

The Process of discovering our patterns in relationship that err on the side of tolerating dissatisfaction, trauma, abuse and dysfunction is a powerful place to investigate for us personally as part of overall health and wellbeing. Are we creating our of necessity and survival in a dead end job, or settling in a relationship because “its the right thing to do” Asking ourselves how we cultivate together and what qualities we are engendering together will have dynamic impact on our ability to be honest with our truth. Living life authentically and only giving investment of energy into things that are built on love, integrity, empathy and joy had profound impact on motivation, satisfaction and health.

Read more in this edition of Reasons & Seasons magazine and go deeper at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reasons-season/id1511340208.