Genes are the functional units of heredity comprised of spiraling sequences of DNA. According to the Human Genome Project, there are 20-25,000 genes contained in the chromosomes of every cell in the human body. Genes provide the blueprint that transcribes all the proteins that are necessary for the function of all body cells and systems as well as all of the traits of our physical and psychological identity.
Unfortunately, many people sell themselves short by feeling completely defined, limited and even imprisoned by the deck of genetic cards they were dealt at birth. So that you often hear people exclaim that because their parents or grandparents had diabetes, or heart disease or some form of cancer, etc. they would likely develop the same problems. Even worse is when people discover that they have some genetic construct, like BRCA genes in women that may predispose them to the development of breast cancer, that makes them feel like they have no choice but to opt for some medical intervention that can compromise their health or be coerced to surrender their vital body parts to surgical mutilation for fear of what “may” happen.
You Can Help Change Your Genetic Blueprint!
It is so important to realize that you do not have to feel handicapped by your trans-generational genetic hand-me-downs. Burgeoning research in the study of epigenetic effects strongly suggests that outside environmental factors and lifestyle choices can modify gene expression without changing the hardwired inherited sequence of DNA nucleotides that make up your genes. This provides a remarkable opportunity for hopeful positive change and is an exquisite example of how modern scientific observation of the integral sublime function of the body connects with and reinforces the profound ancient wisdom of Natural Hygiene.
Routine, healthy lifestyle choices, especially plant-based nutrition, stress management techniques and physical activity can dramatically alter how genes function and may reduce the deterioration and morbidity from heart disease, cancer, immune disorders, and depression while even slowing down the aging process. Conversely, risky lifestyle choices can ultimately promote similar disease and breakdown in different people regardless of their genetic backgrounds. An example of this is the growing pandemics of obesity, heart disease, colon and reproductive cancers in Japan, China and other parts of Asia that did not exist when the Asian populations were eating more of their ancestral plant-based diets. However as they continue to saturate their diets with more animal protein, saturated fat, dairy products and refined sugar similar to people in the US and other western nations, they continue to develop the same devastating chronic diseases as these western nations regardless of their obvious genetic differences from non- Asians living in the West.
Your genetic blueprint can predispose you to any number of positive and negative conditions and changes. But what you choose to do, and the environment that you create on a routine basis in your life, goes a long way to determining how your genetic background expresses itself and whether any of your negative predispositions become concrete outcomes.
You must know that you don’t have to drown in your own gene pool. It is so important to realize and embrace the power of personal choice. It is so important to free yourself from the genetic constraints and fears that may dominate your concerns and realize that your genetic foundation is a shimmering tapestry capable of profound modification and change.
Simple constructive lifestyle choices of plant-based nutrition, consistent exercise, and activities that promote psychological poise and stress management dramatically promote healthy gene expression and reduce the devastating causes and effects of disease and aging.
As important as plant-based eating, consistent activity, adequate sleep, and stress management are to weight control, any discussion of successful, healthful weight loss must include the negative impact of industrial toxins and pesticides on weight regulation.Remarkable research in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. suggests that the most overweight people are found in cities and areas with the greatest amounts of industrial and environmental pollution. In the U.S, the 10 cities with the most overweight people are connected either to the Mississippi River (the most polluted river in the U.S.) or in the case of West Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Georgia, are home to some of the top-20, mercury-polluting power plants in our nation.
While the lifestyles in these industrial waste areas may promote poor eating habits and sedentary behavior that contribute to weight gain, it has become more apparent that increased levels of industrial pollutants also contribute significantly to increased body fat and weight gain. Mines, refineries, and factories regularly produce toxic products for commercial sale and use on our food supply.
They also release a variety of industrial toxins (by-products of their operations) into the environment.Many of these toxic products, such as pesticides, are derived from fossil fuels (the same gas and oil reserves that are burned for our energy needs). Fossil fuels are made from a combination of the decaying bones of ancient animals, and decaying earth and vegetation over a long period of time. As a result, toxic products derived from the bodies of these long-ago animals can affect the function and hormonal systems of all mammals, including humans.
These “endocrine disruptors” can:
• compromise fertility and the reproductive cycle of mammals,• compromise adrenal and thyroid function• influence the creation of fat cells, and• promote reactive weight gain and obesity.
Furthermore, since industrial toxins and pesticides are derived from oily fossil fuel reserves, they are fat-soluble and so can be dissolved in fat and oil. So when the body is exposed to these chemicals it can dissolve and store them in fat cells and fat tissue. By storing these chemicals in fat tissue, they can be removed from general blood circulation, thereby reducing potential toxic effects on the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys. Therefore, since the body can protect itself by storing this toxicity in fat tissues, an increased exposure to these toxic chemicals may exaggerate the production of body fat.
In addition, pesticides and industrial toxins can signal and trigger dormant immature fat cells (pre-adipocytes) to grow into mature fat cells, increasing body fat and promoting weight gain. As a result, these toxic chemicals are now referred to as “obesogens,” chemicals that promote an increase in weight gain and obesity.
As fat cells grow, due to toxic stimulation, it is harder to keep weight down. Weight gain urges the detoxifying systems of the body to slow down and store more chemical toxins (“obesogens”) in the growing mass of available fat. As the body becomes fatter and more toxic, there may be an increase in inflammatory responses and additional toxic effects that overwhelm the body’s detoxification pathways even further.
Under this pressure, the body continues to try to minimize these fat-soluble toxins by making more body fat in which to store them, reinforcing an ongoing cycle of toxicity, fat, and weight gain.
Research has shown specific connections between a variety of toxic obesogens and specific health and weight-related conditions.
Navigating toxins
All of this highlights our need to consume as much organic produce as possible. Especially when you consider that there is significant pesticide contamination in conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, tap water, and baby foods. And when the Environmental Working Group, a watchdogorganization that monitors pesticide use in America, has detected pesticide residues in almost 70% of our produce (even after the produce has been washed and peeled) and also discovered that several popular brands of baby food were contaminated with fungicides and bug killers.
• I especially recommend eating ground plants, such as lettuce, deep greens, potatoes, celery, cucumbers, and berries as organically as possible, since these plants grow close to the ground and have short root systems (when they are sprayed with pesticides these chemicals can be taken up by the roots and concentrated in the cells of these plants).• Also, keep in mind that due to biological magnification, the pesticides in plants and grasses are even more significantly concentrated in the bodies of the animals that eat them; this strongly suggests that eating animal products can significantly increase your exposure to obesogens, and increase your risk of weight gain and obesity.
The good news is that there is a wide availability of organic plant foods at reasonable prices in a variety of conventional supermarkets and health food stores.
Furthermore, it is also important that the cleaning products for your home and beauty products for yourself be as green, clean, and devoid of toxic chemicals as possible.
It doesn’t pay to get overly stressed about the things you can’t change. However, you should take as many positive, proactive steps as possible to change what you can by consuming food and using personal products that are the least toxic and the most supportive for long-term health and weight regulation.
Going on a wellness retreat at Balance for Life Florida for health improvement, weight loss or detox holiday to proactively manage your health will pay huge dividends – you will be advised by the staff under Dr. Frank Sabatino and supported every step of the way. The information you accrue will help you make the necessary lifestyle changes when you arrive home. As in many life departments, a quick-fix solution is not the way forward and sensible, sustainable practical information will benefit you far more in the long run. Chronic stress can create many serious health problems and prevent you from living your best life. Without everyday demands and distractions, you will finally have time to do the activities that you have always wanted to do. Take a walk, have a massage, go to the beach, read a book, or meditate on the sandy beach at night while listening to the waves gently rolling on the shore. Simply getting away to a more peaceful atmosphere will reduce your stress levels exponentially and restore your physical and mental health.
The Balance for Life Retreat offers many enjoyable activities including walks on the oceanfront boardwalk, fun exercise classes, health lectures, and spa services to knead out stress knots and tension you didn’t even know were there.
A retreat at Balance for Life in Florida offers you the chance to take some much needed time for yourself. It allows you to pamper yourself and heal your body with a massage, facial, other wellness treatments, sleep, and relaxation. You’ll feel completely supported and taken care of by our staff.
While You are Having the Time of Your Life, You Also Get to Feel Rejuvenated and Alive!
There are many reasons to join in on a wellness retreat – the health and happiness benefits of taking time out for you, becoming more mindful, putting yourself in a new environment (and loving it), making new habits, reconnecting with yourself and most important of all YOU ARE WORTH IT. You deserve to feel good and to live a life you love!
Recent Comments