What is Epigenetics and Why is it Important?
How we can influence not only our health but also our live expectancy
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Epigenetics is not only one of the most revolutionary scientific discoveries of the 21st century, it is also an exciting journey of discovery into the secrets of our genes. It shows us how environment and lifestyle influence our genetic expression. With this knowledge, we can actively intervene in our health and open the door to a longer and healthier life. It is an opportunity to slow down our genetic clock and prevent disease. Epigenetics is not only a scientific discovery, but also a hope for everyone who strives for a fulfilling life.
How does epigenetics work?
The science of epigenetics investigates how genes are modified by biological conditions and environmental factors, so-called “markers.” Essentially, proteins within a cell are prompted by these markers to process parts of the DNA in a specific way. This affects how cells behave and perform various life functions without altering the underlying DNA sequence.
Epigenetic changes are a natural part of human biology, but they can also be triggered by external health habits — whether you eat healthily, how often you exercise, how well you manage stress, and how much sleep you get.
Similar article: How is biological age determined?
Epigenetic changes result from several biological systems, one of which is DNA methylation. DNA methylation occurs when a methyl group — a structural unit of organic compounds — binds to a gene and changes the expression of the gene by turning it on, off, or attenuating it.
Is everything still a bit confusing? Then let's take a quick look at biochemistry and genetics so that we can better understand how it all works together.
· Cells are the basic working units of every human being. All instructions needed to control their activities are contained in the chemical deoxyribonucleic acid, also known as DNA. Every cell in the body with a cell nucleus contains a complete set of genes, which in turn contains DNA.
· DNA is the genetic material of humans and almost all other organisms. Like an instruction manual, it tells cells how to produce proteins.
· Proteins are large, complex molecules that perform many important tasks in the body. They do most of the work in cells and are necessary for the structure, function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs.
· Genetics is the study of succession. We pass on our physical and behavioral characteristics — such as hair and eye color — as well as our illnesses. These traits are passed on from parents to children via the genes in the DNA. The genetic code is a permanent set of biological instructions that do not change over a lifetime.
· Epigenetics is the study of gene expression that is altered by biological and ecological conditions. Epigenetics can cause sections of DNA to be switched off or on, changing the way cells “read” genes.
So our cells all have the same DNA, right? Yes, but we have many different types of cells in our bodies — from skin cells to red blood cells to nerve cells. If they all have the same DNA, how can they be different? The answer is epigenetics, which tells the cell to turn on or off certain proteins, which turn them into the various cells in our body.
Why is epigenetics important?
Epigenetics can control genes, which is affected by a) nature when a fetus develops into a baby, and/or b) by the environment when environmental stimuli turn the genes on or off. Whether practicing healthy habits by eating healthily, exercising regularly, managing stress, getting enough sleep, interacting with people who have a positive impact on mental health, and even how you age and how long you live — all of these causes chemical changes to the genes that turn them on or off over time.
You can imagine it this way: The genes are the script and epigenetics is the director of the film. Each actor (cell) reads from the same script, but the director (epigenetics) tells the actor how he should (or should not) behave.
Epigenetics versus genetics
While genes are often regarded as the invariable building blocks of our lives, epigenetics opens our eyes to our body's magical ability to adapt. It is like dancing with environmental and lifestyle factors, in which our decisions and experiences set the rhythm.
Metaphorically speaking, epigenetics is like a living painting that constantly changes over the course of our lives, depending on which brushstrokes we use. From the air we breathe to the sun's rays on our skin to the feelings that flow through us — all of these factors leave their mark on our epigenetic canvas.
Why is that important?
Well, it's like realizing that we're the architects of our own destiny. When we understand how our lifestyle influences our epigenetics, doors open to a life full of health and vitality. Because studies show that decisions such as more exercise can improve not only our physical health but also our mental health on a cellular level — and that these positive effects can even be passed on to the next generation.
It is the recognition that we are not only passively determined by our genes, but that we can take control of the wheel through our daily decisions and actions in order to live the best possible life.
References
Fernandes, J., Arida, R.M. & Gomez-Pinilla, F. (2017). Physical exercise as an epigenetic modulator of brain plasticity and cognition. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 80, 443—456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.06.012
Publiziert
6.9.2024
Kategorie
Longevity
Experte
Scientific Terms
Biological Age
Biological age is the age of cells in the body, which is determined by various properties and biomarkers that correlate with aging and decay in research.
Biomarkers
A specific substance, physical characteristic, gene, etc. that can be measured to indicate the presence or progress of a disease.
DNA
Abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that encodes the information that a cell needs to function or a virus needs to replicate. Forms a double helix that resembles a twisted ladder, similar to a zipper. The bases, abbreviated as A, C, T, and G, are on either side of the ladder or strand that run in opposite directions. The bases exert an attraction on each other so that A sticks to T and C to G. The sequence of these letters is known as the genetic code.
Epigenetics
From ancient Greek π epi 'to, moreover, 'and genetics
Refers to changes in a cell's gene expression that do not involve a change in the DNA code. Instead, the DNA and histones around which the DNA is wrapped are “marked” with removable chemical signals (see demethylation and deacetylation). Epigenetic tags tell other proteins where and when to read the DNA. This is comparable to a post-it on a book page that says “Skip.” A reader will ignore the page, but the book itself hasn't been changed.
Epigenetic clock
A type of DNA clock that relies on measuring natural DNA methylation levels to estimate the biological age of a tissue, cell type, or organ, such as the Horvath clock.
Gene Expression
A product that is based on a gene; may refer to either RNA or protein. When a gene is activated, cellular machines express it by transcribing the DNA into RNA and/or translating the RNA into a chain of amino acids. For example, a highly expressed gene makes many copies of RNA, and its protein product is likely to be abundant in the cell.
Gene
A section of DNA that encodes the information needed to make a protein. Each gene is a set of instructions for making a specific molecular machine that helps a cell, an organism, or a virus to function.
Epigenetics is not only one of the most revolutionary scientific discoveries of the 21st century, it is also an exciting journey of discovery into the secrets of our genes. It shows us how environment and lifestyle influence our genetic expression. With this knowledge, we can actively intervene in our health and open the door to a longer and healthier life. It is an opportunity to slow down our genetic clock and prevent disease. Epigenetics is not only a scientific discovery, but also a hope for everyone who strives for a fulfilling life.
How does epigenetics work?
The science of epigenetics investigates how genes are modified by biological conditions and environmental factors, so-called “markers.” Essentially, proteins within a cell are prompted by these markers to process parts of the DNA in a specific way. This affects how cells behave and perform various life functions without altering the underlying DNA sequence.
Epigenetic changes are a natural part of human biology, but they can also be triggered by external health habits — whether you eat healthily, how often you exercise, how well you manage stress, and how much sleep you get.
Similar article: How is biological age determined?
Epigenetic changes result from several biological systems, one of which is DNA methylation. DNA methylation occurs when a methyl group — a structural unit of organic compounds — binds to a gene and changes the expression of the gene by turning it on, off, or attenuating it.
Is everything still a bit confusing? Then let's take a quick look at biochemistry and genetics so that we can better understand how it all works together.
· Cells are the basic working units of every human being. All instructions needed to control their activities are contained in the chemical deoxyribonucleic acid, also known as DNA. Every cell in the body with a cell nucleus contains a complete set of genes, which in turn contains DNA.
· DNA is the genetic material of humans and almost all other organisms. Like an instruction manual, it tells cells how to produce proteins.
· Proteins are large, complex molecules that perform many important tasks in the body. They do most of the work in cells and are necessary for the structure, function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs.
· Genetics is the study of succession. We pass on our physical and behavioral characteristics — such as hair and eye color — as well as our illnesses. These traits are passed on from parents to children via the genes in the DNA. The genetic code is a permanent set of biological instructions that do not change over a lifetime.
· Epigenetics is the study of gene expression that is altered by biological and ecological conditions. Epigenetics can cause sections of DNA to be switched off or on, changing the way cells “read” genes.
So our cells all have the same DNA, right? Yes, but we have many different types of cells in our bodies — from skin cells to red blood cells to nerve cells. If they all have the same DNA, how can they be different? The answer is epigenetics, which tells the cell to turn on or off certain proteins, which turn them into the various cells in our body.
Why is epigenetics important?
Epigenetics can control genes, which is affected by a) nature when a fetus develops into a baby, and/or b) by the environment when environmental stimuli turn the genes on or off. Whether practicing healthy habits by eating healthily, exercising regularly, managing stress, getting enough sleep, interacting with people who have a positive impact on mental health, and even how you age and how long you live — all of these causes chemical changes to the genes that turn them on or off over time.
You can imagine it this way: The genes are the script and epigenetics is the director of the film. Each actor (cell) reads from the same script, but the director (epigenetics) tells the actor how he should (or should not) behave.
Epigenetics versus genetics
While genes are often regarded as the invariable building blocks of our lives, epigenetics opens our eyes to our body's magical ability to adapt. It is like dancing with environmental and lifestyle factors, in which our decisions and experiences set the rhythm.
Metaphorically speaking, epigenetics is like a living painting that constantly changes over the course of our lives, depending on which brushstrokes we use. From the air we breathe to the sun's rays on our skin to the feelings that flow through us — all of these factors leave their mark on our epigenetic canvas.
Why is that important?
Well, it's like realizing that we're the architects of our own destiny. When we understand how our lifestyle influences our epigenetics, doors open to a life full of health and vitality. Because studies show that decisions such as more exercise can improve not only our physical health but also our mental health on a cellular level — and that these positive effects can even be passed on to the next generation.
It is the recognition that we are not only passively determined by our genes, but that we can take control of the wheel through our daily decisions and actions in order to live the best possible life.
Experte
Referenzen
Fernandes, J., Arida, R.M. & Gomez-Pinilla, F. (2017). Physical exercise as an epigenetic modulator of brain plasticity and cognition. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 80, 443—456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.06.012
Publiziert
6.9.2024
Kategorie
Longevity
Wissenschaftliche Begriffe
Biological Age
Biological age is the age of cells in the body, which is determined by various properties and biomarkers that correlate with aging and decay in research.
Biomarkers
A specific substance, physical characteristic, gene, etc. that can be measured to indicate the presence or progress of a disease.
DNA
Abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that encodes the information that a cell needs to function or a virus needs to replicate. Forms a double helix that resembles a twisted ladder, similar to a zipper. The bases, abbreviated as A, C, T, and G, are on either side of the ladder or strand that run in opposite directions. The bases exert an attraction on each other so that A sticks to T and C to G. The sequence of these letters is known as the genetic code.
Epigenetics
From ancient Greek π epi 'to, moreover, 'and genetics
Refers to changes in a cell's gene expression that do not involve a change in the DNA code. Instead, the DNA and histones around which the DNA is wrapped are “marked” with removable chemical signals (see demethylation and deacetylation). Epigenetic tags tell other proteins where and when to read the DNA. This is comparable to a post-it on a book page that says “Skip.” A reader will ignore the page, but the book itself hasn't been changed.
Epigenetic clock
A type of DNA clock that relies on measuring natural DNA methylation levels to estimate the biological age of a tissue, cell type, or organ, such as the Horvath clock.
Gene Expression
A product that is based on a gene; may refer to either RNA or protein. When a gene is activated, cellular machines express it by transcribing the DNA into RNA and/or translating the RNA into a chain of amino acids. For example, a highly expressed gene makes many copies of RNA, and its protein product is likely to be abundant in the cell.
Gene
A section of DNA that encodes the information needed to make a protein. Each gene is a set of instructions for making a specific molecular machine that helps a cell, an organism, or a virus to function.
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