Epigenetics: the secret of life that can change your destiny

Have you ever wondered why you are the way you are? Why do you have certain physical traits, certain diseases, certain abilities or certain preferences? Do you believe that everything is determined by your genes, or that you have some room for choice and change? The answer to these questions lies in epigenetics, a revolutionary science that studies how the environment and experiences modify the activity of our genes, without altering their DNA sequence.

Epigenetics (from the Greek epi, about, - genetics) is the set of mechanisms that regulate the expression of genes, that is, they determine when, where and how they are activated or deactivated. These mechanisms consist of the addition or elimination of small molecules, called epigenetic marks, that bind to DNA or the proteins that surround it, and act as switches that turn genes on or off.The marks are not part of the DNA sequence, but they are heritable, meaning they are passed from one cell to another when they divide, and even from one generation to another when reproduction occurs. Thus, epigenetics explains how cells from the same organism, which have the same DNA, can be as different from each other as skin, liver or brain cells.
But epigenetic marks are not fixed or permanent, but can change throughout life, in response to environmental factors, such as diet, stress, exercise, pollution, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, infections, trauma or emotions. These factors can alter the balance of epigenetic marks, causing some genes to be expressed more or less than normal, or to be expressed at inappropriate times or places.

These changes can have positive or negative consequences for the health and well-being of individuals, as they can activate or deactivate genes related to development, metabolism, aging, the immune system, the nervous system or the hormonal system. Thus, epigenetics is involved in the origin and prevention of many diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, allergies or mental illnesses.

It can also influence behavior, personality, intelligence, memory, learning, creativity, sexuality, addictions, phobias or preferences. Thus, epigenetics can explain why two people with the same DNA, such as identical twins, can be so different from each other, or why two people with different DNA, such as parents and children, can be so similar.

Epigenetics is, without a doubt, one of the most fascinating and promising sciences of the 21st century, which reveals to us the secret of life that can change our destiny. Epigenetics shows us that we are not slaves to our genes, but that we have the ability to modify them with our decisions and our actions. Epigenetics invites us to take care of our environment and our lifestyle, to improve our health and happiness, and to leave a better legacy for future generations.