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 

Gut health link to anxiety/depression

It is funny isn’t it, we somehow disassociate our physical and emotional well-being as if they are two separate entities! But now, there is evidence to show (what we in natural health have known for centuries) that our physical health is a vital component to our mental well-being.

Today I specifically want to talk about gut health, well one aspect of it in particular which you will already have heard of, but some extra exciting aspects have come to light over the last few years that you may not know!

What I am talking about is probiotics. Probiotics have come a long way since I was first introduced to them at a seminar in London in the early 90’s. Then we only had one supplement to recommend and it was very expensive.

As the decade went on we got a few more strains and clients were seeing a few results – the strains we primarily used were Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium. There was quite a buzz about the potential for health even back then. As we could see that these products were really helping with long term gut issues.

When I was working with a health company in 2004 I was introduced to a probiotic called Reuteri and have been recommending them ever since and as I find out more and more about this strain I get more and more excited by the research and the results we are getting.

Why is Reuteri so exciting after all there are so many probiotics on the market, what makes this one so special?

First off Reuteri has been with us on this planet since before the continents drifted apart, yes a very long time ago in fact over 100 million years ago. With that length of time Reuteri has evolved to co- exist with humans. In fact it doesn’t just co – exist it is highly valuable for all of human life. This probiotic has been found in breast milk, specifically the colostrum, to help populate the infant’s gut and therefore helping with immunity digestion etc..

Reuteri has been found to be a thinking bacterium – where it can help proliferate good bacteria and kill off non-beneficial bacteria, helping to keep our gut in good health. With this it helps in so many other ways. Reuteri has had the most clinical studies done out of all of the bacteria strains. It has been shown to help in many diverse health areas such as:-

· Constipation

· Diarrhoea

· IBS

· Abdominal pain

· Allergy prevention and treatment

· Cystic fibrosis

· Lactose intolerance

· Colic prevention and treatment

· Antibiotic side effects

· Infection protection and treatment

· Helicobacter pylori

· Anti-inflammatory

· Leaky gut

· Metabolic disorders – insulin resistance

The above are the proven benefits (as in long term clinical trials) we have also noted that these bacteria can help in other ways too- these are from observational trials.

· Lowers stress and pain

· Increases vitamin D levels

· Good for the thyroid

· Can lower bad cholesterol

· Promotes oral health

· Produces vitamin B12

· May help Autism

· Believed to help with weight loss

· Speeds up healing processes

· Helps thicken hair

· Helps with uptake of collagen so helps with skin integrity

· Helps with feel good hormone production Oxytocin

· Believed to help with sex drive in men and women

· Helps fight Candida Albicans

· Help to relieve anxiety and depression

So, if we are born with this amazing strain of bacteria why do we need to supplement?

Well, due to our western diet and medicine over the last few decades Reuteri in our guts and therefore in the nursing mothers breast milk have reduced levels significantly, making us more susceptible to infections. Which then leads us towards using more antibiotics which reduces the amounts of all gut bacteria.

By supplementing with Reuteri you can really help your whole body to thrive.

At Vitality we have 3 forms.

Nature’s Way - Primadophilus Reuteri – this is in capsule form and has to be kept in the fridge – I tend to recommend taking last thing at night as it seems to work best then – take 2 for the first 2 weeks then 1 per day after that.

We also have Nature’s Way - Primadophilus Reuteri powder – which is great for babies and children up to the age of 4 years of age. Put in water to give them a wonderful start in life. If your child is struggling with feeding, reflux or just not thriving then this really can help – have a chat with us re the dose. – some clients have also had success making yoghurt with this product – I have never tried but if you love yogurt and you have a lactose intolerance this could help!

New kid on the block – Practitioner only product BioGaia – this is a chewable strain that has been extensively tested and is very exciting. The other great thing is that, unlike the two others it doesn’t have to be refrigerated. So nice and easy to travel with.

Now back to the beginning – gut health and emotional wellbeing – sorry I got carried away with Reuteri (it is so exciting!!)

Did you know that we have cells in our gut, called gut epithelial cells? They run from our mouth to our anus. All the way through our digestive tract. These cells act like another brain. The GI system has, for some time, been called our second brain. We also have a large semi-autonomous nervous system, in fact the largest outside of the brain. This system could not (and cannot) do its job without the constant communication and actions with the single layer of Epithelial cells. These cells within the gut (we have epithelial cells in other parts of the body, but these are what we are most interested in for this topic) Have a critical job to do, as they have to communicate with the friendly gut bacteria, as well as T cells, B cells and macrophages.

What does that mean in simple terms?

If the gut is compromised, with leaky gut, IBS etc. then these amazing cells cannot do their job as their chain of communication has a gap in it, a broken link. When this happens all sorts of disease processes can start. Metabolic disease and viral infections are allowed to take hold, which can progress into deeper more chronic problems like Multiple sclerosis, arthritis and diabetes to name but a few.

Plus, while this is all going on our emotional state takes a battering. There is a large body of research that has been done linking probiotics that can really help our emotional well-being including amazing results with the many symptoms of depression and anxiety. Due the fact that there are more neurons in the digestive tract than anywhere else except the brain. These are linked to the interaction between the brain and the gut, which used to be thought to be a one way track (from brain to gut) it turns out that it is a two way street, with both interacting with each other, in so many ways that science really has only just seen the tiniest tip of the iceberg that is how our bodies really works as a whole not in separate parts.

As an addition to all of this, gut bacteria is also linked to our Hypothalamus (which I have written about heaps in my newsletters and blogs) This is in part due to the HPA axis (hypothalamus, pituitary adrenal) If your gut isn’t under stress then the rest of your body is more likely to be settled and at peace. Then we will no longer be in stress mode!! Bliss……..