Genetics and Pandemics

Q: I come from a long line of “physically sickly” ancestors. Because of that, are my own decisions regarding lifestyle choices, especially during communicable disease outbreaks, really going to matter much? Seems rather hopeless to me.

 

No doubt you have heard the old saying: “Prevention beats cure.” That can apply to almost every area of life. In my brain’s opinion, current research indicates that there is a huge amount of hope if you grab onto it. For example, Genetics (genes and chromosomes you inherit from your biological ancestors) is believed to have about a 30 percent impact on your health, wellness, and potential longevity. Epigenetics (everything that is not genetics including your own lifestyle choices) appears to have a 70 percent impact on your health, wellness, and longevity. Where is any hopelessness in that?                                  

                                                                                                                 More tomorrow.