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Rejuvenate Your Life by Activating Your Genes By James H. O'Keefe M.D. "Tough times don't last, but tough people do." Robert H. Schuller In your genes, and I am not referring to your Levi's, you have DNA lying dormant that, when activated, can rejuvenate your body and reinvigorate your life. Nature equipped you before you were born with a set of unimaginably complex and intelligent instructions in the form of DNA. Contained within this blueprint is everything you need to take you to new levels of vitality and health. All of your ancient ancestors had one thing in common-they were survivors who overcame daunting obstacles and hardships in their natural world. Your DNA is a legacy passed down to you from thousands of generations of the fittest individuals. You have the best of their collective genes, all meticulously spelled out within the DNA of your genome. Yours is a bloodline of courageous souls who conquered tough times by growing tougher themselves. Their hardiness lives on in you, but you will never see it fully manifest while just coasting along on the path of least resistance. No, if you want to grow stronger, you will have to push yourself physically, like your ancestors did. Additionally, if you want to become more vigorous and resilient, you will have to consume fewer calories and more nutritious and natural foods. Finally, you have to avoid the victim mentality; and exchange any passive, self-obsessed, depressed, pessimistic, and fatalistic attitudes for a hopeful, helpful, can-do, upbeat and energetic outlook. Don't settle for a life of dragging around feeling tired, broken, weak, ill, or overwhelmed. Unbeknownst to you, deep within your being you already have what it takes to restore vigorous health and well-being. This genetic destiny can crystallize into reality when you immerse yourself in conditions that more closely simulate the natural human existence of your ancestors. Through your actions and attitudes, you can speak to your genes and call forth those seeds that are coded for strength and wellness lying dormant within you. A weak, wilting, and sickly cactus struggling to survive in the mild and rainy climate and the rich soil of the Pacific Northwest will automatically begin to thrive when transplanted back to its native Arizona desert. The parched desert with its unrelenting sunlight is a climate that would kill most life, but because these are the conditions for which it is genetically designed, the cactus not only survives, it thrives. This environment resonates with the cactus's genetic identity, thereby awakening dormant genes. Soon the plant regains its luster, resiliency, and vigor as it prospers again in its natural home. Nothing in the world will revitalize a life form-plant or animal-as well as returning it to its natural environment and diet. Like the cactus, each one of us has powers of self-healing and renewal lying latent within our chromosomes. You are living in an unnatural world under conditions that are foreign to your genetic heritage and this bewilders your genes and causes them to malfunction. A cushy, inactive lifestyle with a glut of nutritionally barren calories signals our genes to lapse into the decay mode, predisposing to lethargy and disease. Rich, high-calorie foods and temporary reprieves from strenuous physical work were rare and unexpected windfalls for our ancestors. Today, these luxurious conditions, which were once uncommon treats, dominate the day-to-day life of most Americans. As a species, we have had insufficient time to genetically adapt to these modern affluent living conditions, sometimes referred to as 'affluenza'. Thus, most people can neither resist their instincts to eat too much and exercise too little, nor physically cope with the corrosive health effects of these behaviors. To be sure, we are becoming victims of our own success. Stop Complaining and Start Training! Getting out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself by reconnecting with the natural world will automatically revitalize your health. When you engage in an environment that includes vigorous physical activity and fresh air, naturally nutritious, low-calorie whole foods, and an attitude of optimism, belonging, and purpose, those previously dormant and quiescent genes revive and reboot. These are the conditions that signal to your genes that spring has arrived, and it is time to kick-start your cells back into the thrive mode, which leads to growth and regeneration. Exercise has a particularly potent effect on activating these hibernating genes that can rejuvenate your mind and body. Daily moderate to heavy physical exertion has been estimated to substantially change the function of almost half of the 27,000 genes in the human genome. This means that a consistent regimen of daily exercise will literally rebuild a 'whole new you'. You have far more strength and resiliency within you than you realize. You have been pre-programmed to be able to rise to new levels of strength, vigor, endurance, and health. Rebuild yourself from the inside out by channeling your ancient ancestors and reactivating your genes. "I am the grain of sand, becoming a pearl." Paula Cole Steps that Activate Your Genes for Rejuvenation
Fear is Darkness and Knowledge is Light Uncertainty, particularly when it concerns your health or that of a loved one, often leads to fear and anxiety. Fear can disable you, and erode the joy and confidence you need to fully enjoy and participate in life. Harness the power of knowledge, and you will have the courage to live boldly. When you are frightened about your health, you need to seek answers rooted in powerful 21st century science. Knowledge can banish fear and increase your chances of living with the warm glow of great health. In Italy during the Middle Ages, a profession known as a 'codega' existed. People would hire a codega for security and protection to walk in front of them with a lantern to show the way, and frighten away thieves and other dangers that might be lurking in the dark shadows of the night. Think of your doctor as a modern day codega. We are here to "watch your back" and make sure your vitality and future are not ambushed by some silent stalker like blocked arteries, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes. These and other health issues can only darken your future if you passively allow them to do so by ignoring them. While you are striving to become the best you can be, don't ignore the single best source of objective information about your health by skipping your medical checkups. Think of your medical visits in a positive light-you need this kind of feedback to be the best you can be. We can help you to grow into a healthier person, a better athlete, a stronger employee, a more dynamic parent or grandparent, a more passionate lover, or whatever it is that you would like to become. Take responsibility for your wellness. Be vigilant and proactive about finding high-quality medical care and get regular feedback about your numbers and issues. Discovering and addressing any potential risks and/or chronic health conditions you might have are essential for ensuring your bright and vigorous future. As doctors, we can reassure you with tests to some extent, but self- confidence about your wellness is a feeling that you create within yourself. True confidence in your health and physical capabilities is something you earn by setting moderately difficult personal goals and incorporating vigorous exercise and healthy foods and beverages into your daily routine. Self-assurance comes from proving yourself to yourself. Life is too short, and today is meant to be your moment in the sun. The feeling of strength and vitality coursing through your body engenders a sense of security and confidence in your ability to handle whatever life demands of you. |
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