marcelleMore Than Just DNA
Have you ever thought, “Maybe I’m just wired this way” when facing recurring health issues, emotional patterns, or burnout? You’re not alone. We often think of our genes as a fixed blueprint that dictates our health, energy, and potential. But here’s what science is revealing: while your genes matter, how they express themselves matters even more.
Welcome to the world of genomics, where DNA meets your daily life—and where you discover just how much power you actually have over your own health story.
A Familiar Story
Meet Lisa. At 52, she’s at the peak of her career but feeling increasingly off-balance. She has stubborn weight gain, brain fog, anxiety that wasn’t there in her thirties, and frequent digestive issues. Her doctors say her labs are “normal.” A friend recommends genomic testing, and to Lisa’s surprise, it reveals genetic tendencies that explain a lot: slower detoxification, a sensitivity to environmental toxins, and a predisposition to insulin resistance. But the real shift happens when she works with a holistic practitioner who helps her adapt her lifestyle to support her genes.
Lisa doesn’t just feel better. She feels clearer. Stronger. More like herself. And perhaps for the first time, she understands that her health is not random—her biology gives her the starting point, but her choices guide the direction.
The Problem: The Myth of Genetic Determinism
There’s a widespread myth that your genes are your destiny. That once you inherit a trait or tendency, you’re stuck with it. This view is outdated and disempowering. It ignores the dynamic reality of how your genes function.
In truth, your genes act more like switches and dials—influenced by what you eat, how you sleep, how you handle stress, and even your emotional world. The science of epigenetics shows that our environment and mindset influence which genes are turned on or off.
This means that the story your body is telling can change—and that story is shaped every single day.
Scientific Insights: Genes, Epigenetics, and Environment
Let’s break this down.
Your body is made up of roughly 20,000 genes, organized into 23 pairs of chromosomes. This is your genome, often called your book of life. But here’s the twist: not all chapters are read the same way. And not all genes are active all the time.
That’s where epigenomics comes in—the study of how gene expression is influenced by lifestyle, nutrition, stress, toxins, and even love and connection.
Genes like MTHFR, COMT, and MTR play major roles in how your body processes folate, clears stress hormones, or manages cholesterol. Others like TCF7L2, GIPR, and IRS1 are linked to insulin sensitivity and metabolic health.
And then there are network genes that work together, like orchestras. They don’t just act alone; they influence each other in complex webs that scientists are still learning to decode. It’s not one gene = one condition. It’s many genes interacting with many lifestyle choices.
Some genes that once gave our ancestors an advantage (like fat storage for winter survival) may now predispose us to modern health challenges like obesity or insulin resistance. But through awareness and aligned action, we can shift how those genes behave.
Case in Point: Obesity and Genetic Complexity
Take obesity. You may have heard, “It’s just in your genes.” But the research shows otherwise.
According to recent studies, monogenic obesity (caused by a single gene mutation) is rare. Most people with weight struggles face polygenic obesity, where multiple genes subtly influence how your body stores fat, regulates appetite, or responds to stress hormones. The environment—especially processed foods, sedentary habits, and poor sleep—can amplify these tendencies.
In fact, it’s estimated that genetics accounts for roughly 30% of weight outcomes. The rest? It comes down to diet, sleep, stress, toxins, and other environmental factors that interact with your biology.
What’s more, genes don’t just influence how much weight you carry. They affect where you carry it, how your metabolism responds to carbs and fats, and how easily you lose or gain weight. This makes personalized nutrition not just helpful—but essential.
So, if genes don’t doom you, what can you do?
The Holistic Solutions: Listening to Your Genes, Nourishing Your Potential
This is where it gets exciting. When you understand your genomic profile, you can:
- Choose foods that match your metabolic blueprint
- Use targeted supplements to support detox, inflammation, or hormone balance
- Adjust sleep and movement based on how your body handles stress and recovery
- Make mindset shifts that downregulate stress-triggered gene expression
Holistic medicine doesn’t override science—it completes it. When a practitioner views your symptoms through the lens of genomics, they can tailor protocols that actually fit you. No more one-size-fits-all advice. No more guesswork.
Examples in Practice:
- If your genes make you a poor detoxifier, supporting your liver with cruciferous vegetables, glutathione, and clean water may be game-changing.
- If you have COMT or MAOA variants that impact how you process stress hormones, Neuro Emotional Technique (NET), supplementation, mindfulness practices become medicine.
- If you metabolize fats differently, your ideal “balanced diet” may look nothing like your best friend’s.
Your Environment: The Ultimate Genetic Influencer
Studies show that up to 70% of health outcomes are determined by environment and lifestyle—not the genes themselves. This includes:
- Diet (especially folate, B vitamins, antioxidants)
- Exposure to toxins (think plastics, heavy metals, pesticides)
- Exercise and movement patterns
- Sleep hygiene
- Emotional safety and self-regulation
One of the most powerful influences on gene expression? Chronic stress. High stress environments, especially in childhood, can cause long-lasting changes in gene behavior. These changes can persist into adulthood—but they can also be reversed.
Resilience Is Genetic—But So Is Recovery
The same biological pathways that create vulnerability also carry the potential for healing. Genes that made us sensitive to stress also make us sensitive to support. This is known as biological plasticity – the ability to change how your traits (or phenotype) show up in response to your environment.
When you surround yourself with nourishing food, loving relationships, calming environments, and purpose-driven work—you’re not just feeling better. You’re actually writing a new story in your cells.
Action Steps: Empowered by Knowledge, Grounded in Practice
Ready to explore your genes without fear? Here are five ways to begin:
- Get Genetically Curious – Consider working with a trained practitioner who can interpret your raw genetic data. We use this lab (https://dnaallure.com/ultimate-genomics.html).
- Balance Your Nervous System – Use NET (Neuro Emotional Technique), visualization, grounding exercises, breathwork, or somatic practices to calm chronic stress.
- Support Methylation – If you have MTHFR variants, focus on natural folate (leafy greens), B12, and B6. Avoid synthetic folic acid and make sure your stress genes are looked after before starting B12 or B6 vitamin.
- Clean Up Your Inputs – Reduce toxin exposure in your home, food, and self-care products.
- Live in Sync – Align your routines with your body’s needs: movement, rest, connection, and joy.
- Track and Adapt – Your body changes with seasons and cycles. Keep learning and adjusting with self-compassion.
Final Thoughts: You Are Not Just Your Genes
Your genes are part of your story—not the whole story. They may provide the script, but how you live determines the performance.
The field of genomics is not about fear. It’s about freedom. When you understand your blueprint, you gain clarity. And clarity is the first step to healing.
The more we understand about the power of gene-environment interaction, the more empowered we become. Genomics doesn’t reduce you to a code. It reveals your code—and invites you to work with it.
Want to dive deeper? In our next post, we’ll explore how genomics guides health from the womb to elderhood—and how what you do today can impact future generations.
You are not a prisoner of your DNA—you’re the author of your health story.
If you’re ready to explore how your genes and lifestyle work together, I invite you to take the first step.
📩 Email me at infodrmarcelle@gmail.com
Ask about personalized gene analysis and holistic support tailored to your unique blueprint.
Clarity starts with curiosity. Let’s uncover what’s possible—for your body, your energy, and your future.
📚 Scientific References
Genetic Modulation and Chronic Conditions
Franzago, M. et al. (2019). Nutrigenetics, epigenetics and gestational diabetes: consequences in mother and child. Epigenetics, 14(3), 215–235. https://doi.org/10.1080/15592294.2019.1582277
One-Carbon Metabolism and Folate Pathways
Jankovic-Karasoulos, T. et al. (2021). Maternal folate, one-carbon metabolism and pregnancy outcomes. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 17:e13064. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13064
Obesity and Genetic Expression
Rothermel, J. et al. (2024). Differentiating monogenic and syndromic obesities from polygenic obesity: Assessment, diagnosis, and management. Obesity Pillars, 11, 100110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obpill.2023.100110
Early Life Nutrition and Immune Development
Paparo, L. et al. (2014). The influence of early life nutrition on epigenetic regulatory mechanisms of the immune system. Nutrients, 6(11), 4706–4719. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu6114706
Youth Anxiety and Genetic Architecture
McAusland, L. et al. (2024). The genetic architecture of youth anxiety: a study protocol. BMC Psychiatry, 24, 159. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05583-9
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for personalized care from a qualified health practitioner.
Everyone’s health journey is unique—especially when it comes to addictions, genetics, and emotional wellbeing. Please consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplementation, or mental health routine.
