What We Eat Matters on a Molecular Level and the role of Epigenetics in our Daily Life

In today’s age of science and data, we are constantly in flux.  Only a few years ago, scientists agreed that our genes contained the answers to every biological problem we ever encountered.  After mapping the entire human genome and only a few short years later, we now know that our genes only account for one facet of our health.  Today, we know that epigenetics offer a much more comprehensive view of personal health. Epigenetics are essentially biological mechanisms that can turn our genes “on” and “off” without changing the DNA sequence but rather affect how the genes are “read”.  In other words, epigenetics explains how cells with identical DNA can develop into the multitude of specialized cell types that make up different tissues.  

Before we dive further into the world of epigenetics, it is important that you have a basic understanding of genetics and molecular biology.  Deoxyribonucleic acid (aka. DNA) is made up of approximately 3 billion nucleotide bases. However, there are four fundamental bases that comprise DNA: adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine.  (aka A, C, G, and T) The way these bases are ordered is what determines our “life instructions”. These 3 billion bases make up approximately 20,000 genes. Genes are essentially what provides the instructions to make certain proteins.  Proteins are molecules which carry out life functions through various biological actions. Essentially, DNA gives the instructions for proteins to be produced inside the cell. Epigenetics affects how those genes are read or rather expressed by cells and ultimately whether the cells should produce relevant proteins, if any.  

Why does this matter and can I do something about it?

Epigenetics has been discovered to be closely intertwined with our lifestyles and the choices we make.  The food we eat and the nutrients that enter our body impact our health and well-being on a molecular level.  This actually alters the expression of our genes without changing the genes themselves. So while we could be carrying the biomarker for diseases like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer it will only progress to disease if certain lifestyle factors are present.  In other words, we may be able to avoid certain diseases if we live healthier lifestyles. Let me say that again...we may be able to avoid certain diseases if we live healthier lifestyles.  

Healthier lifestyles include variables such as environment, stress, diet, etc.  Diet is one of the more easily studied and understood factors that impact epigenetics.  One of my favorite studies is that of a queen bee. The larvae that develop into workers and queens are genetically identical.  But, because of the royal jelly diet (complex, protein-rich substance secreted from glands on the heads of worker bees) of a queen, she will develop ovaries and a larger abdomen for egg laying, whereas the workers remain sterile.  Additionally, queen bees develop behavioral instinct to kill rival queens, communicate with different sounds, and go on mating flights. Scientists discovered that royal jelly silences a key gene, Dnmt3. When Dnmt3 is turned “on”, the queen genes are epigenetically silenced and the larvae develop into worker bees.  When Dnmt3 is turned “off”, the larvae develop into queens.

I created The Osso Good Co. five years ago because food is medicine and it impacts our health on a molecular level.  Bone broths are loaded with collagen, gelatin, protein, minerals, and amino acids that act like a glue to our digestive tract, allowing us to fully absorb nutrients from food (without them leaking into our body, causing inflammation). Bone broth has been prescribed as medicine for thousands of years, before pharmaceuticals even existed.  We’re not talking about the boxes or cans you find at the grocery store that are high in sodium, but low in flavor and nutrition. Traditionally made bone broths are rich in amino acids like proline, glycine, and glutamine which are great for boosting your immune system, improving digestion, maintaining a balanced nervous system, and also muscle repair/growth.  Glycine is known as the anti aging amino acid and contains the building blocks to create many other amino acids. Glycine is essential because it maintains lean muscle, prevents loss of cartilage, reduces inflammation, aids in detoxification, improves energy, and helps to maintain focus. Proline is important for tissue repair, collagen formation, and blood pressure maintenance.  Not only are you consuming a digestible collagen, you’re also giving your body the tools to increase collagen production internally. Glutamine boosts metabolism and promotes better sleep. And, I think we could all use help with at least one of those benefits.

What we choose to eat matters on a molecular level and as we grow and age, our health is determined by our lifestyle and diet.  It is incredibly empowering to know that we can impact our future through healthy choices today. Are you going to choose to be a “queen bee”?