“Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.”
~ Margaret Mead
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Each human is at least 99% identical to the 7.9 billion inhabitants on the planet. Though our DNA sequence cannot be altered epigenetic markers have the ability to modify gene expression.
Your genetic blueprint is one of the many pieces of the complex human system. Your genetic sequence is a combination of DNA markers [Adenosine – A, Cytosine – C, Guanine – G, and Thymine – [T] known as Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms [SNPs – pronounced “snips”].
Who cares?
Likely anyone interested in breathing, optimizing health, performance, and longevity in life and sport – despite their lifestyle choices.
Base pair describes the relationship between the building blocks on the strands of DNA. A base pair is two chemical bases bonded to one another forming a “rung of the DNA ladder.” The DNA molecule consists of two strands that wind around each other like a twisted ladder. Each strand has a backbone made of alternating sugar (deoxyribose) and phosphate groups.
SNPs represent changes in a base pair that occurs in > 1% of the population. SNPs identify adaptations [or lack therof] to the current environment. SNPs represent 10 million variations which make us different.
SNPs represent the keys of this cutting-edge paradigm to optimize gene expression. In a perfect world the A allele pairs with the T allele and the C allele pairs with the G allele. Life is not ideal and offers a different set of parameters – many unpredictable. Therein lies the benefit of matching desired outcomes with propensities.
Pieces to the complex human system:
–> Our genome has 3 billion base pairs;
–> 46 chromosomes [23 paired];
–> 23,000 genes code for > 1 million proteins;
–> SNPs represent 10 million variations via changes to any base pair – which makes us unique.
Proper gene expression is a big deal. The mayhem begins when a gene is expressed when it should be suppressed or vice versa, and its impact reaches far beyond a sub-par training day on the trails. This invites inflammation, chronic and degenerative diseases, accelerated biological aging, senescence, and a plethora of other undesirable outcomes – no matter one’s levels of health and fitness.
Epigenetics represents all inputs from life. Epigenetics represents the study of changes in organisms caused by modifications to gene expression absent any alteration to the genetic code [DNA blueprint/sequence]. “Epi” is the Greek lexicon for “above.” Epigenetic markers are positioned above your DNA sequence and impact gene expression/suppression based on lifestyle factors [methylation].
The promise of epigenetics testing is its depiction of cellular integrity. When variants highlight abnormal cellular function it allows the opportunity to reverse chronic, degenerative, autoimmune states, cancer, biological aging, and improve your health, performance, and longevity via gene expression modification.
Your DNA blueprint is absolute and cannot be altered. Think of epigenetic markers as apostrophes sprinkled above the letters and words of a sentence [your DNA sequence]. Your DNA provides instructions for proteins to be produced inside the cells. Epigenetic markers impact [like a dimmer switch] how genes are read by cells.
Our mindset affects our homeostasis. One of the most insidious yet impactful elements to your
resilience is your autonomic nervous system [ANS].
The state of the ANS determines whether the body is in survival mode or in regeneration mode. There
are two branches of the ANS: the sympathetic nervous system [SNS – “fight/flight”] and the
parasympathetic nervous system [PNS – “rest/digest”].
The SNS compromises normal bodily functions and negatively impacts our health and performance
proportionately when prolonged. Research has indicated most people reside in the SNS zone – which
has been exacerbated by the global pandemic. Find some compromised areas below:
→ Suppressed digestion – especially gluten and other common allergens;
→ Decreased tissue hydration;
→ Compromised immune system;
→ Poor circulation;
→ Diminished blood flow | stroke volume;
→ Impaired cognition;
→ Body structure compressed – leading to joint inflammation and chronic pain
PNS allows the body to function optimally in the spirit of repair and regeneration. A healthy nervous
system has an optimal balance of activation of the parasympathetic nervous system and activation of
the sympathetic nervous system.
Prolonged stress negatively impacts health and performance. The benefits of stress reduction via
resilience is equally broad. The following are some of the areas where the function is greatly improved by a healthy nervous system:
→ Premature aging;
→ Blood circulation;
→ Tissue hydration;
→ Brain function;
→ Cardiovascular health;
→ Digestion | food allergens:
→ Cognition;
→ Lymphatic system;
→ Pain relief;
→ Posture;
→ Respiration;
→ Immune system;
→ Stress reduction
Simple breathwork will perform wonders to balance your ANS. It is based on a concept termed Cardiac
Coherence. The key is to activate your PNS to slow your heart rate and enhance heart rate variability
[HRV]. It is a synergistic approach to homeostasis via Pranayama.
A soft diaphragmatic pattern utilizing a 4-count nasal inhalation, 7-count hold, and 8 – 10 count mouth
exhalation multiple times per day will optimize your resilience. Full-blown HRV testing is also an
option. Find a few benefits of breathwork below:
Breathwork Benefits
→ Nitric oxide production;
→ Mental clarity;
→ CO2 retention;
→ Optimized aerobic capacity;
→ Enhanced sleep;
→ Mitigated salivary and plasma cortisol;
→ Boosts immunity;
→ Expands creativity;
→ Reduces stress | fear;
→ Tissue and organ oxygenation
Fear represents insecurity, presupposed limiting beliefs, and irrational thinking. The moment you
realize you control your destiny – no matter the level of volatility – is when you understand resilience
and your performance in life and sport is limitless. Mindset is the lynchpin.
This changes everything…
