Genes tell us whether an individual has special resistance to a certain disease. For example, an existing gene variant may create considerably more detoxifying enzymes than the standard variant of the gene, thus ensuring that the individual has only a minimal chance of succumbing to a particular cancer.
But there are not only good gene variants: we all have genetic protection mechanisms as well as genes that lack such protection. This need not have a tragic outcome, however, because bad gene variants do not automatically lead to disease. Such variants indicate only a susceptibility to certain diseases. These genes are in a “switched-off” state by default. It is only a misguided lifestyle that causes the genetic susceptibilities for a disease to be activated.
With the knowledge of the genetic profile and having identified the lack of a certain genetic protection mechanism, we can simulate this by means of an adjustment in lifestyle, e.g. a change of diet. The effect is the same as if you had had the good gene variant in the first place. It is therefore important for each and every one of us to be informed about our genes.
