Genetics vs. Epigenetics: How Your Environment Can Turn Genes On or Off

At Within Natural Health, we often hear people say things like, “My parents had it, so I probably will too.”
But here’s the truth: your genes are not your destiny.

Your body’s environment — the food you eat, the air you breathe, how you sleep, and even how you handle stress — can actually change how your genes behave.

That’s the power of epigenetics.

What Are Genetics?

Your genetics are the blueprint you were born with.
They come from your parents and are stored in your DNA.
Genes are like instructions that tell your body how to build and run itself — things like your eye color, height, or blood type.

For a long time, scientists thought genes were fixed, like a recipe that never changes. But now we know that’s not true.

What Is Epigenetics?

Epigenetics is the science of how your environment and lifestyle can change the way your genes work — without changing your DNA itself.

Think of your genes as the keys on a piano.
The piano (your DNA) never changes, but the way you play the keys (epigenetics) changes the song.

Your body “plays” different genetic notes depending on what’s happening around you — your nutrition, sleep, exercise, stress, and even your emotions.

How the Environment Affects Your Genes

Every day, your environment sends messages to your genes.
Here are some examples of how that works:

🌿 Nutrition: The foods you eat send signals to your cells. Fresh, whole foods can “turn on” healthy genes, while processed foods can “turn on” genes linked to inflammation or disease.

💤 Sleep: When you rest, your body repairs and balances itself. Poor sleep can activate stress-related genes, while good sleep supports healing.

🏃‍♀️ Movement: Regular movement tells your genes to make more energy, burn fat, and protect your heart.

😌 Stress: Long-term stress can turn on genes linked to inflammation and aging, but calming activities like deep breathing, nature walks, or meditation can help those same genes quiet down.

🌞 Toxins and Environment: Exposure to chemicals, pollution, or smoking can “switch on” harmful genes that affect detox and immune function.

In short, your body is always listening — and your environment helps decide what your genes say.

The Hope in Epigenetics

The best part about epigenetics is that it gives you control.
Even if a disease “runs in your family,” it doesn’t mean you’ll get it.

Your choices — what you eat, how you move, how you think, and how you care for your body — can all help your genes express health instead of illness.

At Within Natural Health, we use functional medicine to help you discover how your unique genes and environment interact.
By supporting your body with the right nutrition, stress balance, and detox support, we help your genes work for you — not against you.

How to Support Healthy Gene Expression

Here are a few simple ways to keep your genes in balance:

1. Eat colorful foods – Fresh fruits, veggies, and herbs give your body antioxidants that protect your DNA.
2. Move every day – Even light exercise can turn on genes that boost your metabolism and immune system.
3. Sleep well – Your body repairs itself while you sleep. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality rest.
4. Manage stress – Try deep breathing, gentle yoga, or time in nature to calm stress genes.
5. Avoid toxins – Choose natural products and filtered water whenever possible.

Small changes in your daily routine can make a big difference in how your genes express themselves.

The Functional Medicine View on Genetics

At Within Natural Health, we take a functional medicine approach, which means we look at how all systems in your body work together.
When we study hydration through this lens, we see that more water doesn’t mean better health.

It’s about supporting your body’s natural wisdom — keeping your kidneys, electrolytes, and hormones balanced so you can feel your best.

Through Bio-Energetic Field Testing we are able to address the five barriers to health:

The Takeaway

Your genes tell your body what’s possible, but your environment decides what actually happens.

Through epigenetics, you have the power to support your health at the deepest level — your DNA.
By living in harmony with your environment and making mindful choices, you can help your genes express balance, energy, and vitality.

At Within Natural Health, we’re here to guide you every step of the way — helping you create a lifestyle that supports your genes, your body, and your future