If you think that your health, and even your psychology, is determined by your genes, you are not entirely wrong, but if you think that these are solely derived from your family tree’s DNA, you are mistaken. Our ancestors’ DNA certainly has an effect on our genes, but it is not the only thing that affects them. Our genes can also change because of the decisions we make. For example, if you enjoy playing on sites like IceCasino, it doesn’t mean you have a relative who frequently visited casinos in the past: this habit may simply stem from you. Let’s take a closer look at what this means and how our genes can change due to factors other than DNA.
What Is Epigenetics in Simple Terms?
The fundamental factor influencing our genes is our DNA. For a long time, scientists viewed DNA as a “closed-source” code: the DNA inherited from our ancestors influenced our genes, determining the health issues we would face in the future, and even our lifestyle. For example, if you are addicted to adrenaline, it is believed that this was due to an ancestor several generations ago who also had the same addiction. This addiction was passed down through generations via DNA, causing you to enjoy the same thing.
The fact that our genes determine our health and lifestyle is an undisputed topic, but we now know that DNA is not the only thing that influences them. In other words, our genes can also undergo changes that do not originate from our DNA, and the scientific field that studies how this occurs is called “epigenetics.” Without delving into too much technical detail, let’s try to explain it simply:
- Our gene sequence is inherited through DNA.
- However, which genes are activated and which remain “turned off” is determined by our body’s control system.
- This is what causes each individual to be different from another without altering the genetic sequence derived from DNA in any way.
- Our lifestyle and environmental factors determine which genes remain “on” and which remain “off.”
- Epigenetics studies these changes and seeks to answer this question: What effect does our daily life have on our gene sequence?
Epigenetics has been able to provide an answer to this question to a certain extent. Although the final answer has not yet been reached, the findings so far are quite surprising.
Our Daily Choices Matter
Our preferred diet, physical activities, and even our sleep patterns have a significant impact on our genetic code. In fact, these are the fundamental factors that prevent the same DNA from producing the same individual across generations. What we eat, how often we exercise, and how we sleep are what make us different from our ancestors:
- We now know that dietary nutrients and bioactive food components are the main factors determining which genes in our genome will be active and which will remain inactive. Foods rich in polyphenols, folate, and sulforaphane—such as tea, red wine, berries, broccoli, and B vitamins—are far more effective in influencing this change than other foods. The more of these foods you consume, the more your gene profile will differ.
- Physical activity can be just as effective as the foods we consume. A 2007 study showed that 30 minutes of exercise altered more than 500 genes in immune cells. Exercise affects the gene sequence that most contributes to our health, and the more intense the exercise, the more noticeable the effects become. Exercise also lowers cortisol levels and reduces stress, which has a significant impact on our overall health.
- Not getting enough sleep or quality sleep causes our gene sequence to change completely in a negative way. We now know that changes leading to diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases stem from poor sleep habits. Everyone who doesn’t get enough sleep becomes more prone to illness.
All of this simply shows that our lifestyle and personal choices determine how healthy we are. So, there’s no need to blame our ancestors: if we get sick, it may not be because of your great-grandfather a few generations back, but because of your own choices.
Does Epigenetics Affect Future Generations?
Except in some extreme cases, epigenetic changes, unlike DNA, do not affect the next generation. Some studies suggest that genetic modifications caused by lifestyle choices can affect the next generation, but these are modifications resulting from extreme causes like severe starvation and typically do not extend beyond a single generation.
Epigenetics simply argues that your DNA is not your destiny. Every meal you eat, every exercise you do, and every night you don’t sleep causes changes in your gene sequence. You can take control of these and live a much healthier life. Your daily life determines how your genetic code functions, and this is entirely within your control. There is no need to blame your DNA: you determine how healthy and happy your life will be.
Journalist Chloe Rivera studied at the University of Missouri and has covered mindful, stylish living since 2013. She joined us in 2025 to curate realistic routines, budget-friendly décor, and community stories that help readers craft balance without perfection pressure. When offline, Chloe volunteers at urban farms, photographs street style, and hosts weekend swap parties for preloved clothes and books in her neighborhood.
