It’s In The Genes

Is it in the genes, or is that just a perfect excuse for the bad health many have?

Have you heard someone say, “It’s in the genes”? Especially when it’s to do with one of the seemingly modern diseases. I’m talking about heart disease, type 2 Diabetes and cancer.

Well, here’s my tuppence worth on that statement.

I’m sure you’ve heard someone say at least one of the following:

• “My dad died at 58 of a heart attack — I’m getting near that age.”
• “I’ll probably get high cholesterol ’cause it’s in my genes.”
• “Mum got bowel cancer, and the doctor said I have a greater chance of getting it too.”
• “Yeah, diabetes runs in my family.”

Even my siblings are on medication for the standard high blood pressure and cholesterol or ‘old people ailments’ — as one told me recently — believing that what the doctor prescribes is the only way to keep ‘healthy’. Okay, I’m here to say that “it’s in the genes” is a myth for most people.

These diseases like heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, cancers, diabetes, and most ‘modern-day diseases’ don’t ‘run in the family’… it runs in the tradition of what you eat.