Epigenetics
Epigenetics is the study of how your behaviour and environment can change the way your genes work — without altering the DNA sequence itself.
Deep Dive
For decades, genetics was understood as destiny: you inherited a fixed set of genes and their expression was largely predetermined. Epigenetics shattered this assumption. It revealed that chemical modifications — such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation — sit on top of your genetic code and act as switches, turning genes on or off in response to environmental signals.
These signals include diet, stress, toxin exposure, sleep quality, exercise, and even social connection. A landmark study showed that identical twins, who share 100% of their DNA, can diverge dramatically in health outcomes over a lifetime due to epigenetic differences accumulated through different lifestyles and environments.
In clinical practice, epigenetics is empowering because it means your genes are not your fate. A person with genetic predispositions to inflammation, poor detoxification, or accelerated ageing can modify gene expression through targeted interventions — specific nutrients, lifestyle changes, and environmental modifications. This is the foundation of personalised health: using your genetic data not as a prison sentence but as an instruction manual.