As we visit with family this holiday season, please remember that the CDC says genetics only account for 10% of diseases. I hear people say, “well my mom had this disease and I am afraid I will.” Or something like, “she is bound to be ___ with her genetics.” That is simply not so. Ninety percent of disease is due to environmental issues. This is not my idea, but backed up by research.
I like that because we can control our environment a lot more than we can control our genetics. Likely culprits in the environment are virus, bacteria, parasites, heavy metals, all kinds of environmental chemicals like pesticides and herbicides. Don’t forget the psychological stress of difficulties in life or the stress of poverty. The list gets longer with dietary indiscretions and lifestyle issues, such as exercise. It becomes clear that there are many ways we can help ourselves and that, in fact, the choices we make are more important than the choices we can’t make: our genetics.
Enjoy your family and know that you are creating your own future health by your today choices. If we believe we are destined to a physical condition, that in itself is stressful.