Genetics aren’t the issue
We have been lead to believe our genes are the ones to blame for any dysfunction found within our bodies. However, there is no evidence supporting genes control biology, this is all just a theory.
The gene theory states that humans are “coded” for either health or various forms of illness and disease. Research has shown our environment and lifestyle have MORE to do with the health outcomes than the genetic coding.
This concept is called epigenetics.
Our health is not left to chance, we have control over the outcome of it. We can think of it as nurture (epigenetics) and nature (genes). Some of the vital parts in determining the outcomes of our health is the environment, our perception of stress and nutrition. It has been shown, epigenetic factor can override genetic factors. It has been found that 95% of disease are NOT inherited. The importance of nurture cannot be over emphasized.
The understanding that environment, perception of stress, nutrition and so much more determines our health is encouraging and empowering. We have a say in how healthy our body is.
Our environment, perception of stress and nutrition are the issues to an unhealthy life.
Chronic exposure to glucocorticoids (a stress steroid hormone) promotes gene expression changes. When stress is present the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is activated. This axis puts our body into a sympathetic state. Our body essential thinks it is needing to run from a bear. When the HPA axis is activated for an extended amount of time it can lead to modifications in gene expression that may lead to depression or mood disorders.
On the flip side when our body is perceiving we are safe and at rest the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis is activated.
HOW DO WE MAKE SURE WE ARE ACTIVATING THE HPG AXIS?
This is where neurologically focused chiropractic care comes into play.
Through the use of state-of-the-art technology we are able to determine whether your body is in a state of high stress, turning on your HPA axis or if your body is activating the HPG axis properly.
If the body is stuck with the HPA axis on for an extended period of time, dysfunction will start to occur within the body. Neurologically focused chiropractic care is able to influence the turning on of the HPG axis and the turning off of the HPA axis by activating the vagus nerve
The vagus nerve helps to regulate the autonomic nervous system through the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. Chiropractic care has been shown to elicit sympathetic and parasympathetic responses resulting in improved autonomic balance. Improved autonomic balance results in higher functioning bodily process; better digestion, stable blood pressure, proper sleep patterns and so much more.
Our genes are not the issue. It is our body’s perception of stress and environment causing dysfunction within the body. Finding a chiropractor who focuses on regulating the autonomic nervous system can be life changing.
Srinivasan TM. Genetics, epigenetics, and pregenetics. Int J Yoga. 2011 Jul;4(2):47-8. doi: 10.4103/0973-6131.85484. PMID: 22022121; PMCID: PMC3193653.
Kiani AK, Maltese PE, Dautaj A, Paolacci S, Kurti D, Picotti PM, Bertelli M. Neurobiological basis of chiropractic manipulative treatment of the spine in the care of major depression. Acta Biomed. 2020 Nov 9;91(13-S):e2020006. doi: 10.23750/abm.v91i13-S.10536. PMID: 33170171; PMCID: PMC8023121.
