The word in Greek means “above the gene.” Epigenetics teaches that genes are not controlled by DNA itself, but by external signals from the environment and even from one’s own thoughts and feelings. One can imagine how a certain “commander” gives orders to the genes at a certain moment to “turn on” (to be expressed) or “turn off” (to be repressed), depending on which of the lifestyle factors influenced. For this discovery, American researchers received the Nobel Prize in 2006. In 2003, the Human Genome project was completed, during which about 25,000 genes were identified in the human DNA code, which the body uses to build and rebuild itself. But now it is known that genes cannot work on their own — they need certain “instructions”. It was epigenetic modifications that were one of these instructions.

The most studied process is methylation, in which a methyl group (one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms) is added to the cytosine bases of DNA, which leads to the loss of activity of the whole gene. To imagine this process in your head, think of a gene as a light bulb. Methyl groups act as a light switch (gene), and histones (proteins) act as those who regulate the intensity of light (that is, the level of gene activity). It is believed that humans have about four million such switches that are triggered by the external environment. A striking example of epigenetics in action can be the DNA of identical twins, which is identical. If all hereditary diseases had only a genetic nature, then the twins would suffer the same way. However, one of them may have a different form of the disease, or may not manifest at all. Different lifestyles and different life circumstances lead to the fact that with age, genes manifest themselves in different ways (epigenetic drift).

If a person is able to push the “buttons” of genetic changes, then how can necessary and unnecessary genes be activated? Epigenetic studies have shown that only 5% of disease-related gene mutations cannot be controlled, while the remaining 95% can be influenced. Experiments have shown that patients with the initial stage of prostate cancer have already been able to turn off 453 harmful genes associated with tumor growth and turn on 48 useful ones associated with their reduction in three months. At the same time, people only received special nutrition and followed the correct regime. In fact, experts say that a healthy lifestyle program can change the activity of even five thousand genes. And in this form, they can be inherited by children and passed on to grandchildren. Gene expression can be affected by nutrition. A diet oversaturated with carbohydrates leads to elevated glucose levels, which attack DNA. But you can reverse the damage: for example, the substance epigallocatechin-3-gallate, contained in green tea, activates tumor suppressor genes, and genistein, which is found in soy products, reduces the susceptibility to certain age-related diseases. Useful in this regard are sulforaphane (in broccoli), curcumin (in turmeric), resveratrol (in wine and grapes). Healthy sleep and exercise also have a positive effect on gene expression. Harmful habits, contact with pesticides and other artificial substances distort the normal processes of gene regulation. However, environmental factors are not everything. Various mental and emotional reactions also activate genes. The way a person thinks and feels leads to biological changes at the genetic level. So, stress and bad relationships with people have a negative effect, but, in turn, gratitude, kindness, optimism, as well as meditation and various techniques involving the mind and body have a positive effect on gene expression. The study of epigenetic mechanisms has shown the truth: much in life depends on a person, so it doesn’t matter what genes he possesses, it’s important how he uses them. This allows us to develop a variety of tools for targeting disease markers: genes, proteins, and molecules for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The main task of epigenetics is to investigate how the activation of certain genes can contribute to prolonging human life.