{"id":897,"date":"2014-05-20T11:22:09","date_gmt":"2014-05-20T10:22:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thehealthsciencesacademy.org\/?p=897"},"modified":"2021-05-25T18:20:21","modified_gmt":"2021-05-25T17:20:21","slug":"can-you-change-your-dna-to-look-younger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehealthsciencesacademy.org\/health-tips\/can-you-change-your-dna-to-look-younger\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Change Your DNA to Look Younger?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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by The Health Sciences Academy\u00a0\u2014 Get free science updates <\/span>here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

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Did you know that the expression of your genes is modifiable?<\/p>\n

The old notion that genes control your life has been replaced by new epigenetic discoveries.<\/p>\n

For example, when you put stem cells in a petri dish with the conditions that support muscle growth, the cells evolve into strong contractile muscles. However, if you change the conditions in the petri dish, the same cells can become bone cells, fat cells, and even brain cells!
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\n<\/strong>When you put stem cells in a petri dish with the conditions that support muscle growth, the cells evolve into strong contractile muscles.<\/p>\n

I personally find this fascinating. While every one of your cells is genetically identical, their fate is controlled by the conditions around them.<\/p>\n

Beyond the petri dish<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Today scientists are taking this even further and way beyond the petri dish. They\u2019re exploring the impact of what you eat, drink, breathe and do on your genetic activity.<\/p>\n

I think the most unexpected discovery is connected to yoga, meditation, prayer, and mindful breathing. Over one hundred studies found that these activities can also<\/em> influence your genes and the rate at which you get older.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the most notorious study is the one conducted by Harvard a few years ago. When the researchers took blood samples before and after these activities, they noticed that 2,209 genes responsible for the ageing process were turned on or off.<\/p>\n

Genes that protect cells against the damage caused<\/em> by free radicals were turned on. Genes that promote oxidative stress (which accelerates ageing) were turned off.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Curiously, the test subjects practised these relaxing activities for just 20 minutes a day. Some did yoga, others listened to a simple meditation audio. The activity didn\u2019t matter. It\u2019s the underlying mechanism triggered by these activities. Scientists call it the \u201crelaxation response<\/a>\u201d, which causes decreased oxygen consumption, increased exhaled nitric oxide, and reduced psychological distress.<\/p>\n

It sounds very simple to me, yet it can be extremely powerful.<\/p>\n

Changing Your Genetic Expression <\/span><\/h2>\n

For years I have been skeptic about the benefits of yoga. But today I know better. Those friends who have meditated or practised yoga for years enjoyed better health not because they\u2019ve been born with \u201clucky genes\u201d but because they\u2019ve been positively influencing them!<\/p>\n

Now that we have solid scientific proof of that yoga, meditation and mindful breathing can slow down the ageing process, I\u2019m all up for it. Even elite athletes use it all the time, especially during their recovery phase.<\/p>\n

There is Scientific proof that yoga, meditation and mindful breathing can slow down the ageing process.<\/p>\n

Younger, Healthier and Stronger<\/strong> <\/span><\/h2>\n

If you want to learn more, here\u2019s my summary of the Harvard Study. The test subjects were divided into 3 groups:<\/p>\n