What I Mean by “Reprogram Your Genes”
From time to time I’ll get a comment from a skeptical reader that says something like, “I don’t think it’s possible to reprogram your genes through diet/lifestyle. Of course our genes are set at birth and our DNA, or program, is copied into every cell of our bodies. You cannot modify or reprogram your genetic code.” I’d like to address this misunderstanding.
One of the best ways to illustrate what I mean by “reprogram your genes” is to use the analogy that Duke University’s Randy Jirtle, Ph.D., uses in the following videos. Think of your genome as being like computer hardware. If you were to program your computer you wouldn’t be changing the hardware, rather, you would be changing the software that tells the computer what to do. So just as we talk about reprogramming or programming a computer and don’t suggest that the hardware itself has changed we likewise can talk about reprogramming our genes without suggesting that the genes have changed. In the case of genes what we are really changing is the epigenome. To quote Dr. Jirtle, “the epigenome would be like the software that tells the computer when to work, how to work and how much.”
Luckily for us our genes are not our destiny. We have immense control through lifestyle behaviors to turn some genes on and other genes off for desired physical results. Watch these videos for it to all come together if it hasn’t already.
There are multiple future possible versions of you. It’s up to you to decide which version you will become. It’s up to you to make lifestyle choices that direct genes toward fat burning, muscle building, longevity and wellness, and away from fat storing, muscle wasting, disease and illness.
This is what The Primal Blueprint is all about. It’s why the sub-title of my book is “Reprogram Your Genes for Effortless Weight Loss, Vibrant Health and Boundless Energy”. And it’s what we talk about (either directly or indirectly) day-in and day-out here at Mark’s Daily Apple. We tend to focus on the practical, but epigenetics is at the heart of why we do what we do. Living like Grok just happens to be the best starting point for directing gene expression.
So my tip to you today comes straight from the lips of Madonna: Express Yourself.
Hat tip to MDA reader Sam for the videos.
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Posted By: Mark Sisson
Good post! It seems like a lot of people get confused about this, but that’s understandable, as epigenetics isn’t necessarily widely-understood even by lots of biologists–it tends to be more of a niche specialization. We do indeed have tremendous control over which genes, or variants of genes (through alternate splicing and the like) are expressed, and a lot can be done with this to improve our health and fitness. Keep up the good fight!
This is truly fascinating stuff!
Wonderful videos! I am so excited by this concept – what control we have over our lives. Thanks, Mark!
I love NOVA
Great Post Mark. Outside of Body By Science (chapter 8′s Genetic factor), I have yet to hear anyone else discuss Epigenetics in training circles. I’ts an amazing area that, upon researching, most people will find encouraging and hopefully will have them cursing there parents genes a little less.
That’s a great video. People are starting to realize more and more that what they eat, and their habits and lifestyles really do affect their health and all aspects of their lives. You are what you eat!
By adopting a paleo/primal lifestyle, I have lost weight, gained confidence and strength, banished depression, discovered I had smooth and clear skin. Is this reprogramming my genes? It doesn’t matter! It just feels great!
I feel that I am becoming the absolute BEST I can be!
wow.. really powerful stuff. Almost makes me want to put down this caffeine filled Central Nervous System Stimulator… almost…
I’m always amazed be the quality of the content and research that you post on your blog Mark. It is truly amazing to see the dedication and thought you put into every one of your posts.
As always, thanks for the post. I am constantly amazed by how much great information I get from this site and that it is all free! I did by the book this week, so I don’t feel too bad.
This subject has fascinated me since I learned about it. I have recently learned that I have a mild, at least at this point, elevated platelet count that is probably caused by something in my environment switching on the accelerator that regulates my platelet count.
Apparetly, a pill that will switch off the accelerator is in the works but meanwhile I am experimenting with using my mind to switch it off. I am curious if this is possible and will find out when I take my next blood test next month. It will be a nice surprise if it does, both for me and my doctor.
Does anyone know if there is any evidence that one can control the switching on or off of these epigenes with one’s mind?
Fascinating.
As a father of identical twins I thought this post was very interesting.
Fills me with a rather ominous sense of responsbility however!
Cool, thanks for sharing that Mark.
The Primal Blueprint: Putting your best epigenetic foot forward.
This is amazing info Mark! Thanks for sharing. I never would have been aware of this, if I hadn’t read about it here.
Speaking of your book, I just got it on Tuesday, and it’s really inspirational. I went out to fetch some antioxidant rich fruits you suggested, like blueberry and raspberry, along with some spinach and tomatoes for salads.
Thanks Mark for the post and Samson for the videos. Can’t wait to show my family since they think I’m a food Nazi. Your book is great and love the responsibly slim.
I look forward to coming here everday.
I know that a primal-like approach to health and fitness reprogrammed my genes and completely changed me inside and out.
Thanks for sharing — epigenetic research needs more coverage. Diet and exercise have a huge influence on gene expression, but so do other environmental factors like artificial light, population density, air quality, and other realities of modern life. Given the 30% success rate of placebos, maybe our thinking influences genetic expression as well.
For those interested, Bruce Lipton’s The Biology of Belief is a good primer on epigenetics.
I agree. Dr. Lipton’s book is one of my all time favorites.
Mark, Great post! Lots of information. I was wondering if anyone can give me advice on living w/ non primal eaters (my parents) i love them dearly but they like to order pizza a lot and have me do runs to pick up ice cream. they also eat a lot of grains. i am doing ok but would love some tips on how to avoid “the bad stuff”
Thanks for your time.
I live with one. I have it easier since I am allergic to wheat which is mostly what she eats. I just make sure I have plenty of Primal snacks around and eat good Primal meals so I am not hungry when she brings it in. She eats potato chips I eat an apple or grapefruit or some carrot sticks or even a couple of pork rinds.
are pork rinds ok to eat?
I eat them a couple times a week as a crunchy snack. I only buy the plain which are just pork skins and salt no added junk. The flavored often have msg so be careful. The brand I buy has 9 grams of protein in a 1/2 oz and no carbs at all. Much better than potato chips if you need a crunchy fix with fat and protein.
Nice one…
“There are multiple future possible versions of you. It’s up to you to decide which version you will become.”
This is a great quote. Thanks Mark.
Fascinating stuff! The scientists are giving us more all the time but sadly many jump on the chance to have an excuse for being unhealthy or overweight.
I’ve been an overweight youngster and defeated that with exercise and nutrition. Primal living has taken me one step further. Others may find some inspiration in my story at http://www.lmdfitness.com/about/
I honestly believe in the power of nutrition!
@Sharon: my father used to “think away” his psoriasis.
Come to think of it, my mom used to get rid of her migrains by giving them the ‘dingbats’ as she called it.
Awesome stuff and timely! My friend and I were just having this discussion after learning a mututal friend of ours was diagnosed with cancer (41 years old!). She didn’t understand where I was coming from with my ideas of “reprogramming”. I sent this to her.
This gives me more of an arsenal against my own mind when I start to think my genetics can defeat me. Thanks!
Awesome videos! Goes to show you that living a healthy lifestyle significantly reduces your chances of developing any type of deadly disease! Better start as early as possible… lucky for me I am only 21
Thank you for posting this. As someone with a biology degree, this is all elementary stuff to us. But the general public doesn’t really understand genetics.
Yes, twins may have the same “blue print”, but that doesn’t mean that “blue print” has to be followed in the same way. Gene expression (i.e., what genes are turned on or off, and how much of it) plays a much greater role in our resulting make up than the actual code itself. Gene expression is affected by environment, lifestyle and diet.
That is a really interesting video!
Very insightful!!!
Thanks for posting the videos as well…