Only 1% of diseases are hereditary, the rest is influenced by lifestyle

The geneticist Mariano Zalis, a specialist at UFRJ, claims that only 1% of diseases are hereditary, while the rest is strongly influenced by our lifestyle. Studies have shown that we can also influence our genes after the age of 60 through our habits and our environment. Zalis explains that genes play a role in health, but external factors such as diet, stress, and exercise also have a significant impact on genetic regulation. The brain is the main mediator of this interaction, processing information from the environment and sending signals to the cells to react accordingly. The effects of stress and bad habits like poor diet and smoking can jeopardize this regulation, while healthy practices like physical activity have positive effects. He also mentions that epigenetics explains why people with the same genetic material, such as twins, can age differently. Zalis also warns of the effects of traumatic events like wars and disasters, which can leave epigenetic marks that extend to subsequent generations. Studies, such as those conducted on the descendants of Holocaust survivors, have shown that these marks can influence the health of future generations. In short, epigenetics offers a new perspective on health and shows that the way we live can actually shape our genetic health and determine how we age.