5 key facts about how your genes affect your daily well-being

How your genes affect your daily well-being

It is known that genetics is related to several diseases, either directly or indirectly by propensity . However, less consideration is given to the extent to which genes influence everyday well-being. Habits do a lot, yes, but the background genetic contributes to you being better, or making your day-to-day life easier.

Putting genetics in its proper place doesn't mean neglecting other aspects. It's undeniable that if you have a good job, exercise, eat well, and have a satisfactory social and emotional life, your chances of developing illnesses are reduced. But being aware of certain circumstances can be an incentive to focus on those areas where you need to work harder. Taking this positively, then, is a good attitude.

Therefore, we believe this information is invaluable to you. Here are five examples of how your genes affect your well-being:

1. Resilience and adaptability to changing contexts

In the 21st century, being resilient It's a matter of survival, but our ancestors hadn't developed this ability to the fullest extent. For this reason, we sometimes have greater difficulties than the average person.

But it is no less true that our brain It stands out, most of the time, for its plasticity . And the number of synapses and neuron generation also has to do with genetics. Specifically, it is estimated that there are 4,000 genes grouped into modules within the brain that help us handle certain actions with confidence. Furthermore, we must say that research continues to expand to understand more cause-effect relationships.

Obviously, these genes, in addition to helping us adapt to change, also help keep our neurons in better condition. Therefore, this predisposition helps, a lot.

2. How your genes affect daily rest

He daily rest is necessary to be able to respond well during waking hours. But did you know that genes also influence this aspect? They do so, moreover, in several ways.

On the one hand, there are genes that predispose to the production of more or less melatonin (CLOCK), sleep, or circadian rhythm control (PER1, PER2, and PER3). Some examples are also measuring whether a person is more diurnal or nocturnal, or whether they need more or less sleep, as in the case of the gene DEC 2. All of this undoubtedly influences a better or worse quality of life.

Some people need more sleep and others need less. Likewise, some have more difficulty falling asleep and others have less difficulty. Beyond environmental factors, genetics also plays a significant role.

3. Chances of suffering from obesity

The obesity It is probably one of the biggest pandemics of the 20th and 21st centuries. Not surprisingly, it negatively impacts people's health in several ways. However, how can we determine whether we are genetically more or less likely to suffer from it, beyond environmental factors and habits?

The first case is in the polymorphisms of FTO gene , also known as the "obesity gene" which contributes to the accumulation of adipose tissue to a greater extent. On the other hand, the MC4R gene It can influence our hunger, as well as our weight. We are therefore dealing with a variety of genes that have some impact on our metabolism.

We insist, this doesn't mean you shouldn't maintain healthy habits. But there's no doubt that genetics can make it easier, or more difficult, to stay in shape.

4. Psycho-emotional state

He psycho-emotional state It depends on a multitude of factors, and limiting ourselves to genetics would be a gross oversimplification. But while it is true that the sociocultural and geographical environment and personality play a decisive role, there are also genes indicating a greater propensity to sadness and depression .

For example, the 5-HTTLPR gene can influence whether we have a better or worse general mood. To this we must add the case of genes SIRT1 and LHPP . It should also be noted that if a serotonin receptor is malfunctioning, this can also negatively influence how situations are perceived.

Finally, it should be noted that the percentage of The heritability of depression , although present, is minimal. Most studies conclude that, at best, we're talking about between 40 and 50% genetically significant.

5. Predisposition to longevity

Finally, the predisposition to longevity is probably one of the factors on which the genetics Yes, it does have more weight. It's proven that in a long-lived family, the chances of having long-lived offspring increase substantially. And certain genes make their contribution here.

The key to longevity is to delay aging. Of course, a good diet and less stress and disappointment help, but the gene KLOTHO It allows for better protein synthesis and, in this way, makes the homeostatic process work better for longer. Another case is that of the gene CISD2 which maintains the proper functioning of mitochondria. Finally, some SIRT genes may also play a role, although to varying degrees depending on the individual.

Consequently, good genetics are an ally for living longer and better. Not surprisingly, delaying aging also helps delay certain health problems and diseases linked to aging.

Therefore…

Knowing how your genes affect your daily well-being is helpful because it will allow you to make smart decisions related to your health, in the broadest sense of the term. Do you want to take a genetic test to find specific mutations or markers that give you information? Genotics You have the best test comparison tool by type, cost, methodology, and delivery time. Get to know us better!