It’s called epigenetics and according to new research, it can influence everything from a human’s weight to a small animal’s propensity to fall in love. And as Anthony tells us, small life changes actually give us control to how these genes are expressed.
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Gene switches make prairie voles fall in love
“Epigenetic changes affect neurotransmitters that lead to pair-bond formation.”
Mom’s gastric bypass surgery might benefit her offspring’s DNA
“When a woman undergoes weight loss surgery, her own body isn’t the only one affected: children born to women after they’ve undergone gastric bypass procedures exhibit key genetic differences compared to siblings born prior to the surgeries.”
Differential methylation in glucoregulatory genes of offspring born before vs. after maternal gastrointestinal bypass surgery
“Obesity and overnutrition during pregnancy affect fetal programming of adult disease. Children born after maternal bariatric gastrointestinal bypass surgery (AMS) are less obese and exhibit improved cardiometabolic risk profiles carried into adulthood compared with siblings born before maternal surgery (BMS).”
Stress makes you sick by changing your genes
“Most of us are well aware that stress dramatically heightens our susceptibility to contracting illnesses — both physical and psychological.”
Why Your DNA Isn’t Your Destiny
“At its most basic, epigenetics is the study of changes in gene activity that do not involve alterations to the genetic code but still get passed down to at least one successive generation.”
Nucleus accumbens dopamine differentially mediates the formation and maintenance of monogamous pair bonds
“The involvement of dopamine within the nucleus accumbens in the formation and maintenance of pair bonds was assessed in a series of experiments using the monogamous prairie vole.”
Histone deacetylase inhibitors facilitate partner preference formation in female prairie voles
“In the socially monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), mating induces enduring pair-bonds that are initiated by partner preference formation and regulated by a variety of neurotransmitters, including oxytocin, vasopressin and dopamine.”
The Role of Methylation in Gene Expression
“Not all genes are active at all times. DNA methylation is one of several epigenetic mechanisms that cells use to control gene expression.”
Is Our Health Determined By Our Genes?
“Epigenetics is the study of molecular mechanisms by which our environment controls our gene activity.”
Watch More:
Sleep Loss Screws Your Genes
So Much Junk DNA
Love Stinks
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