Genes and the effects of lifestyle on genetic expression by Stephen C. Brewer, MD, ABFM

Genetics is one of the most expanding and growing areas in science today. Almost 20 years ago the Human Genome Project was completed in which scientists sequenced the deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, of humans. It took over 10 years to complete that project. Now with many commercial genetic products available to the public, such as 23andMe, a person's DNA sequence can be determined in a matter of days. It is one thing, however, to know your DNA code and another to interpret what the code means. This is where a significant amount of research is being done today. Genes, the basic physical and functional unit of heredity, are the blueprints for how our bodies form and how they operate. ... How we treat our bodies often affects our genes. This is called epigenetics. It's an area of genetics that connects directly with the messages and efforts of active-aging professionals to promote healthy aging.