Yes, genes play a role in weight gain. But not quite what you were taught!

"You take after your dad's side - they're all big boned"
"My parents are a overweight, so that's why I can't lose weight"

Sometimes, people resign themselves to being overweight and justifications like those above are heard. Yes, it's true, some people are "luckier" than others in that they don't gain weight as easily. But your genes - the nature part of the equation - is influenced by the environment you grew up in - "nurture" which is the second half of the picture. I love this topic: "nature vs nurture" and which has a more profound impact on your health? I've met some people who say, what the heck, do what you want because your genes determine your health. Genetics and health is a game of probability. Some actions, stack the deck in your favour and others increase your chances for failure.

Young parents, take note of this latest piece of research conducted by scientists at the University of Calgary. Baby rats were fed three different diets: a high protein diet, a high fiber diet or a balanced diet. When these rats reached adulthood, they were all fed a high fat, high sugar diet mirroring the North American diet - otherwise known as the fast food and junk food diet. The rats were allowed to eat as much of the junk food as desired. The ones fed the high protein diet in infancy craved the junk much more and subsequently gained much more body weight and fat.

So, what this latest piece of research suggests is that what you feed your children during their developmental phase (which in my opinion extends well into adolescence), affects certain aspects of their health well into their adult life. Genes can be affected by the environment, whether it be pollution, diet and nutrition, exercise, etc. We can't change the genes that we were dealt, but we can certainly affect the expression of the genes making sure that the most optimal outcome is produced.

If you were fed poorly as a child, do you have to be resigned to a life of bad health? Definitely not, in my opinion. Your cells are constantly being turned over and your genes are still influenced by what you do now. It's a possibility that you might have to work harder at maintaining your health than others, but that's not a reason to give up. The harder the struggle, the greater the satisfaction. Turn over a new leaf for the 2009 year and begin your journey to optimal health. Don't be afraid to ask for advice. The hardest part is taking that first step!

Yours in health,

Ian Koo, ND
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Essentials Health Centre
"The care you want, the health you need"