Are you really ruled by your DNA?

Over the last 2 decades, I have been fortunate in the fact I have been studying quantum physics and the world beyond our physical one. Now it seems that mainstream science is starting to implement and study the effects that quantum scientists have known and been talking about for a very long time. in this newsletter we are covering a little about the impact our DNA has on us and the impact we can have on our DNA! It is so very exciting! 

Are you ruled by your DNA? Or can you choose your Health destiny?
 
Over the last few years science has now proved beyond any doubt that your DNA has absolutely nothing to do with your illness!
Yes, we all have genetic weaknesses and strengths, that is very clear. However, due to studies in epigenetics (Epigenetics is the study of heritable phenotype changes that do not involve alterations in the DNA sequence. The Greek prefix epi- in epigenetics implies features that are "on top of" or "in addition to" the traditional genetic basis for inheritance. Wikipedia)
it has been shown that we are actually in the driving seat as far as our health is concerned.
This is a huge statement isn’t it? As it does appear that certain families do seem to go down with the same problems eg. Heart, cancer etc. however what the new science is showing us is that the hereditary part is not in the genes at all, it is in our family habits!
Those family habits are mechanisms that can turn certain genes on or off. For example if it is your family habit of eating certain foods, or habits of life that can turn certain genes on or off!
Does that make sense to you?
No, then here is a more detailed explanation
Epigenetics, as a simplified definition, is the study of biological mechanisms that will switch genes on and off. What does that mean? Well, if you are new to this whole thing, we first need a quick crash course in biochemistry and genetics before learning exactly what is epigenetics:

• Cells are fundamental working units of every human being. All the instructions required to direct their activities are contained within the chemical deoxyribonucleic acid, also known as DNA.

• DNA from humans is made up of approximately 3 billion nucleotide bases. There are four fundamental types of bases that comprise DNA – adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine, commonly abbreviated as A, C, G, and T, respectively.

• The sequence, or the order, of the bases is what determines our life instructions.  Interestingly enough, our DNA sequence is mostly similar to that of a chimpanzee. Only a fraction of distinctively different sequences makes us human.

• Within the 3 billion bases, there are about 20,000 genes. Genes are specific sequences of bases that provide instructions on how to make important proteins – complex molecules that trigger various biological actions to carry out life function

 
Now that is the genetic component, the epigenetics part of it is how our genes are read by our cells and then how they produce proteins.
Here are a few facts about how our body uses this information and what epigenetics is all about.
 

• Epigenetics Controls Genes:- Certain circumstances in life can cause genes to be silenced or expressed over time. In other words, they can be turned off (becoming dormant) or turned on (becoming active).

• Epigenetics Is Everywhere. What you eat, where you live, who you interact with, when you sleep, how you exercise , even aging – all of these can eventually cause chemical modifications around the genes that will turn those genes on or off over time. Additionally, in certain diseases such as cancer or Alzheimer’s, various genes will be switched into the opposite state, away from the normal/healthy state.

• Epigenetics Makes Us Unique. Even though we are all human, why do some of us have blonde hair or darker skin? Why do some of us hate the taste of mushrooms or garlic? The different combinations of genes that are turned on or off is what makes each one of us unique. Furthermore, there have been indications that some epigenetic changes can be inherited.

• Epigenetics Is Reversible.  This is the most exciting thing about this research as I feel we are totally in the driving seat as far as our health (and the rest of our life for that matter)
  With 20,000+ genes, what will be the result of the different combinations of genes being turned on or off? The possible arrangements are enormous! But if we could map every single cause and effect of the different combinations, and if we could reverse the gene’s state to keep the good while eliminating the bad… then we could theoretically* cure cancer, slow aging, stop obesity, and so much more.

 
After working in the natural health field for so many years I have been lucky enough to see this in action. I have seen clients who have been given a death sentence who, with work and a total belief that they would get well. They have turned the illness around totally and after just a few months been told that there is no sign of the disease. What they have done is turn the illness genes off and turned the wellness genes on!
 
How?
Well first off you have to make changes. For some it will be just a few tweaks and with others it might be a total life change. It just depends on what is going on and what results you are after.
 
Does that lifestyle change have to be all at once?
 
This is a question I hear often. In a word no, if you do change everything it can be a huge challenge and can feel very uncomfortable, so I advocate a nice gentle approach and work on one area of your health and wellbeing at a time. Why? Because then you will know what is working and what isn’t.
 
What do I mean by that?

Just like when you come and see me as your practitioner, I will normally send you away with just a few products to get started with. If I have done my job properly you should notice a difference, then we will know what is working for you. If I send you away with an armful of supplements and herbs and you start to feel better, you won’t know what is doing the job for you and what is surplus to requirements. The same with lifestyle changes. One thing at a time.
 
Saying that, if you have a life-threatening illness then you don’t have time to waste and you throw the whole lot into the mix and know that you are getting better.
 
So my prescription for keeping the wellness gene turned on and the unwellness genes well and truly turned off. Eat foods that your body thrives – you can find out this with our Fast Track to Health program (80 days)

Think positively about yourself and those around you – hard sometimes I know but the more you practice this the happier and healthier you will be. Do moderate exercise – the ideal for you will depend on body type and what you love to do. Use a few well-chosen supplements – you don’t need huge amounts if you are eating the low inflammatory foods (see above)
Avoid chemicals like the plague- in foods, skin care, air fresheners (in-house and car)  and cleaning products. Last but by no means least – surround yourself with people who you love to spend time with and strictly limit time with those who make you feel down tired or angry (if you can totally avoid them that is ideal!
 
Hope this makes sense to you?
If you would like a consultation on preventive or help with your health and well-being then give me a call on 021 408 277 or connect via email or on Facebook

Thank you for being you and thank you for reading this far! 
 
With Love and Wellness 

Suffering with feelings of anxiety?

Are you like a high proportion of the population suffering from either mild or debilitating feelings of anxiousness, depression and/or fatigue?

You could be suffering from ….. Fear! Yes that’s right anxiety is just fear in another guise. If we are in fear then all sorts of things can raise their ugly heads and bite us on the derriere.

Life has changed hugely over the last five decades; things we used to take for granted are no longer written in stone, like jobs for example. When I was growing up people had jobs for life, they stayed in their houses and they had neighbours that did the same. Everything was stable and ticked along at a gentle pace.

Now we have a world that is unstable that even our monetary system appears to be wobbly.

No wonder we are living in a state of anxiety and stress!

However we can cope, in fact we have to learn to cope as this it the way the world is and we have a choice we either sink or swim.

I am personally making a choice – I am going to swim and I am going to help as many people who want to swim along with me!

Why do we react like we do?

The reason we are either suffering from anxiety or fatigue or anything in between is due to our hormonal system going into overdrive our adrenals are working overtime and we are feeling on edge and tired at the same time.

There is an awful lot written about fatigue and I am sure there are some of you reading this are sufferers of this horrible ailment - I know how you feel as I have been there. I have been blessed over the last 30 years to have overcome the long-term fatigue I was struck down with in my 20’s and to help others to do the same.

However, if I had of taken notice of the anxiety I had when I was in my teens I might never have fallen as hard or as long as I did!

Even though I have strategies in place to keep the fatigue under wraps, I admit that over the last few years I have had many days where I have felt that I simply cannot cope. It has been having support that has got me though. The support for me has come from a variety of sources it has been emotional support with a friend, colleague or practitioner (yes practitioners need practitioners too) I also have a list of “things’ that I do to make me feel better, plus some remedies/nutrients that support my body through the time of high stress. With this repertoire I find that I get effected by the ravages of stress less and less, even though I still have the usual stresses/anxieties I just don’t react like I used too!

Some tips that helped me to help reduce Anxiety/Fear: I know that they can help you too!

Try one or more of these tips to help you on a daily basis to reduce anxiety

1. Herbal supplements like Rhodiola and/or lemon balm can really help. Lemon balm makes a delicious relaxing tea. Rhodiola is an amazing herb that can be used with other medications – it is great if you are taking any medication for depression and anxiety - I can help if you need any confirmation of this.

2. Try deep breathing I have found the following technique really useful. You can do this anywhere, well nearly! Take a deep breath in, through your nose for a count of 5, hold it, for a count of 6 then breathe out for a count of 7. Do this once to start with as if you do too many at first you can find yourself getting a bit dizzy.

3. Go for a gentle walk out in the fresh air, whenever you feel anxious. Gentle exercise can be a wonderful therapy for those of us prone to anxiety.

4. Some essential oils can really help – so keep some on hand to help almost immediately. Lavender is probably the most known about but patchouli and geranium are a great mix to put with your lavender for an exotic antidote.

5. It is recommended to meditate if you are prone to any forms of anxiety however if you are anything like me with a brain that hates to shut off, I find guided visualisations really useful.

6. Avoid drinking excess alcohol as this really can make things a lot worse.

7. Having a delicious massage can really help combating stress as it can reduce inflammation.

8. Write a to do list every evening before finishing up for the day and have it beside you so that when an idea comes to you, you can write it down. By doing this you are decluttering your mind. I have a to do list that includes something for me personally to do every day.

9. It has been shown that by being creative can take your mind away from other things so pick something totally different from what you do for work – I see my work as my ART so I make sure that I either pick up a paint brush or read some design magazines they are great distractions.

10. When you start to think in a negative way – make it a habit to change that around. Once you get used to doing this you will feel better and then things start getting easier and you will feel less anxious and more in control – as the saying goes “the better it gets, the better it gets” We always need to practice this one!

11. Get some sunshine. You have to be in sun to get essential vitamin D, everyone always feels better when the sun starts to shine. If you can’t be in the sun then take a vitamin D supplement

12. Sleep for at least 7 hours each night. If this is a challenge for you then you might need some assistance. Try chamomile tea or an Epsom salts bath – just 12 minutes and don’t have it too hot, why only 12 minutes? The theory is that Epsom salts help us to detox and if you stay in the bath any longer reverse osmosis starts, which means you start to reabsorb the toxins you have released.

13. Take a magnesium supplement – in my opinion transdermal is best as by applying it to the skin bypasses what can sometimes be a digestion that is under duress. (we have our own that works wonderfully well!) Here is the link for Calm.

14. Eat lots of vegetables and good quality protein – organic where possible.

I would like to thank you for reading this, I truly hope it helps you.

Phone number - 021 408 277

​Vitality Shop/Apothecary/Clinic
The Alley (next to Bay Physio)
Marsden Road,
Paihia, 0200