code no longer occur. At this point, the information in the genes no
longer changes. From that point on it’s the diet that controls the
genetic switches. Conditions not considered to have a strong dietary
or other environmental influence on genes include Rh incompatibili-
ty, sickle cell anemia and hemophilia. In addition, genetic injury can
occur anytime throughout life, such as with radiation damage. Even
though so-called genetic diseases may exist in an individual, whether
that disease is genetically expressed — and whether it is severe or
mild, or not evident at all — may be mostly influenced by diet, and
other environmental factors such as toxic exposures.
Foods that can dramatically affect our genes include high-
glycemic carbohydrates, especially processed starches and other
grains, and sugar — bread, bagels, cereals, muffins, potatoes, and
sugar and sugar-containing products including all popular soft
drinks. In addition to the poor nutritional value of these foods, they
release specific hormones, such as insulin, that adversely affect the
body’s metabolism. These foods also trigger genetic switches, turning
on diseases such as diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, heart dis-
ease and many others. Alow-glycemic meal, one without refined
flours and sugars, can switch off the genes for these diseases.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition (May 2007) demonstrated how a high-glycemic meal
switches on the genes that increase stress and inflammation (condi-
tions that pave the way for most chronic disease) while turning off the
genes that promote health.
Currently, billions of dollars are being spent in hopes of develop-
ing new drugs that will “switch” our genes in a certain direction.
However, we already have the power to control our genetics in a nat-
ural way with diet. And, we have the ability to control future gener-
ations as well. Consider, for example, a couple starting a family — if
one or both parents switch off healthy genes or turn on unhealthy
genes the children can be even more vulnerable to disease.
Assessing for these signs in order to prevent disease is an impor-
tant aspect of maintaining your fitness, health and human perform-
ance. We’ll discuss more specifics about assessing for functional prob-
lems and avoiding disease throughout life’s journey, which I call the
human race.
ASSESSING FUNCTION AND PREVENTING DISEASE • 23