You are your phenotype, but what is a phenotype?

Let’s start at the beginning . . . .

Every single person on the planet is unique with their own health issues, specific genes, preferred lifestyle and environment. We all have a dominant set of physical strengths and weakness, natural levels of hormones and neurotransmitter activity, physiological predispositions and inherent behaviours and needs.

Our differences can be obvious to ourselves and others and while we logically and intuitively know this, so often we end end up taking on the most recent information that we have learnt or seen in regards to how we eat, exercise, socialise and even support ourselves psychologically. DNA is a self replacing material which is the carrier of our genetic information and is a combination of the sperm and egg at conception. They are our blueprint for our growth.

Genes however are codes which create the production of molecules that function within the body. When a gene is activated it stimulates the production of a certain molecule but when production stops the gene becomes inactive. A gene is activated by the environment around you, we respond to our environment in order to adjust and survive.

Your phenotype is the end result of all the different gene activations that have occurred during your life and is constantly changing, even know while you read this - WOW. Even something as simple as a sneeze creates a fast change while a slow change can be your bone growth throughout life.

The problem here is that if you are always experiencing a stressful environment then your activating genes that are telling your body that you need a higher production of alert hormones. This is not good for long term as it will result in higher blood pressure and other physiological changes which can not be maintained long term. Good news you can turn off this gene by changing your environment to a more calmer and peaceful setting. For some of us this might mean having to change jobs, relationships or even our living situations but it is possible. It is important to understand that YOU are in control and can turn on or off these genes, just remember YOU are your phenotype.