Genes Vs Lifestyle: Health Is Not Inherited, It Is Created

Genes Vs Lifestyle: Health Is Not Inherited, It Is Created

We often hear people say things like “It runs in my family” or “I was born with it” when talking about health issues. These beliefs come from the idea that our genes decide everything about us. While it is true that we inherit certain traits from our parents, that is not the whole story. There is another powerful factor that shapes our health, and it’s often overlooked which is our lifestyle.

Let us understand the difference between the genes we are born with and the way we live our lives. It explores how everyday choices can shape the way our genes behave and why we are not locked into the health problems we fear we have inherited.

Understanding the Truth About Genes

Genes are like instruction manuals inside every cell of our body. They hold the code that decides everything from our eye colour to how our bodies respond to food or stress. But just because we have a gene does not mean it will always be active. That is where gene expression comes in.

Gene expression is like a light switch. Some switches are turned on, while others stay off, depending on our lifestyle. That means the choices we make, from what we eat to how we manage stress, can alter how our genes function.

Nature or Nurture? It is Both

For years, people have argued over whether nature (our genetics) or nurture (our environment and lifestyle) is more important. But science now shows that both play a role. Your genes may give you a blueprint, but your lifestyle decides how that blueprint gets used. Think of your body as a house: your genes are the design, but your daily habits are the builders.

The Rise of Lifestyle-Based Health Problems

These days, many of the most common health problems are not caused by genes alone. Conditions like diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, and anxiety are growing fast. And in most cases, these illnesses are connected to how we live, not just what is in our DNA.

For example, sitting all day, eating fast food, skipping sleep, and living under constant stress can all lead to long-term health issues. Even if your parents had diabetes, it does not mean you will too, unless you repeat the same lifestyle patterns.

How Lifestyle Affects Gene Activity

There is a growing field of science called epigenetics. It studies how things like food, sleep, exercise, and even thoughts can turn genes on or off. This means your environment can change how your genes behave, without changing the genes themselves.

If you eat nourishing food, stay active, get plenty of sleep, and look after your emotional health, you can support the expression of healthy genes. But if you are under constant stress, lacking movement, or eating poorly, it can trigger the wrong genes, the ones that increase disease risk.

This proves that your genes are not your destiny. The way you live has the power to rewrite the story.

What Is a Genetic Lifestyle?

Let us introduce a helpful idea: a “genetic lifestyle.” This is not just the genes you are born with, but also the lifestyle patterns that often run in families. For example, if your parents always ate fried food, never exercised, and dealt with stress by avoiding it, you may have picked up the same habits, not just the same genes.

This means many health conditions that appear to be inherited are actually passed down through lifestyle. A family history of poor sleep, unhealthy food, or lack of movement can feel like fate, but it is really a pattern, one that can be changed.

You Can Take Charge of Your Health

The good news is that you do not need to be stuck with the habits or health conditions that run in your family. You have the power to choose differently.

Small everyday actions can have a big impact in our lives. Drinking more water, choosing whole foods, getting regular movement, taking breaks to rest, and managing stress; these things may seem simple, but over time they help your body work better and guide your genes toward health instead of illness.

Taking charge of your health does not mean being perfect. It means being consistent, learning what works for your body, and deciding not to let your past or your family history, write your future.

Letting Go of the Labels

Too often, we wear our family health history like a label. “I’ll always struggle with my weight due to my genes.” “Heart problems are in my blood.” These kinds of thoughts can quietly shape our identity and lower our motivation to make better choices.

But once you understand that genes can be influenced, those labels lose their power. You are not your diagnosis. You are not your family’s health history. You are the author of your own story. The moment you shift from blame or victimhood to responsibility, real change begins.

A Real-Life Example

Imagine two brothers who grew up in the same home with the same genetic background. As adults, one chose to live an active life, cook his own meals, and stay mindful of stress. The other had a more sedentary lifestyle, often ate out, and worked long hours without much rest.

Over time, their health paths began to separate. The first brother stayed energetic and avoided chronic illness. The second started to face weight gain, high blood pressure, and fatigue. The difference? It was not their DNA. It was how they lived.

This story reflects what many studies are finding that people with the same genes can experience totally different health outcomes based on their habits. Your choices today help shape your health tomorrow.

In Summary: Genes Are Not the Whole Picture

We are not helpless passengers in our own bodies. Although we may inherit certain risks, we are also equipped with the tools to overcome them. Our genes may initiate the story, but our lifestyle determines how it unfolds.

Your daily actions are not minor; they send powerful signals to your body about how to operate. And the best part? You do not need to change everything overnight. One healthy change at a time builds momentum. So, next time you catch yourself thinking, “It runs in the family,” pause and ask: is it truly in my genes or in my habits?

Always be confident that you are not stuck with the hand you were dealt. You have the power to play it differently. Your genes may whisper, but your lifestyle speaks louder. Every lifestyle choice you make is a chance to rewrite your health story, and that story is still being written. Also, remember that you will pass this legacy along with your genes to your future generations.

Video for this blog available at: https://youtu.be/n42pwYrX164