It’s no secret that genetics can impact your health, but understanding the real relationship between the two is where things get complicated. Fortunately, the most important connections are easily explained. Learn more about genes and health below to maintain optimal well-being.

Genes and Disease

In the same way that traits such as hair and eye color are passed down from one relative to another, so can certain diseases. Fortunately, most genes we inherit from our parents are very similar. This makes it easy to determine if you may have an increased chance for a specific disease such as cancer. If your parents or grandparents had a disease, you might be more susceptible to it.

However, it is important to keep in mind that genes do not necessarily predict your health destiny. Rather, they can serve as a precaution for what could come. Lifestyle factors such as diet, stress levels and exercise play a notable role in your ability to combat hereditary diseases. According to ASEA, you can also use supplements that target your cells to improve your immune system and maintain your health.

In some cases, mutations in your genes can affect your health. Mutations may be inherited from your parents or acquired throughout your lifetime due to environmental factors and lifestyle choices. The best way to reduce your risk of developing diseases caused by mutations is to maintain regular check-ups with your primary care physician and lead a healthy, active lifestyle.

Genes and Aging

Another way that genes can affect your health is by serving as a guideline for the aging process. For a long time, many people believed that aging was just a matter of natural wear and tear. However, research has demonstrated that hundreds of genes contribute to your aging timeline.

For example, some people develop grey hairs sooner than others or may experience earlier loss of vision and hearing. Knowing your family’s history can help you take appropriate preventative care to avoid these issues or at least delay them. It’s true that the way your age affects you can be inherited, but you have more control over it than you may believe. While it is true that we all have a genetic clock, your choices can speed it up or slow it down.

Genetics are passed down from parent to child and can play a role in your health throughout your lifetime. However, they typically lack the final say in your well-being. Lifestyle choices can significantly alter your genes and prevent certain diseases and premature signs of aging.