Chiropractor In San Diego Reveals That You May Be What Your Mother Ate!

As a chiropractor at New Century Spine and Chiropractic Centers in San Diego, many people ask if their back pain is due to bad genes. Is Nature or nurture more important? The argument has been raging on for decades. Many people want to know if they are strictly the end result of your upbringing and actions. Or are we all simply a product of your genes?

A safe bet is that we are a combination of both. Our genes give us a blueprint with both positives and negatives and our actions either maximize or minimize the hand we’ve been dealt. But, a new science has thickened the plot! How? The new science is called “Epigenetics” and it attempts to explain how the environment can modify your genes. That’s a unique twist to this debate – wouldn’t you say?

In a report that was published, scientists from the University of Utah showed rats that received poor nutrition in the womb genetically altered themselves to be born into a nutritionally deficient environment.

What’s that mean? The rat fetuses’ genes actually changed to prepare them for the environment they were going to be born into. Since there was poor nutrition in the womb, the rats were likely to grow to smaller sizes when compared to others born to “normal” nutrition levels.

Being smaller was not the only negative. The rats also had a higher risk for many health problems throughout their lives such as: diabetes, growth retardation, cardiovascular disease, obesity and neuro developmental delays. These are just to name a few. But These Are Rats! How Are Humans Affected?

Also according to Science Daily: “The new ‘epigenetics’ has taught us how nature is changed by nurture,” said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal. According to Science Daily, “Although the study involved rats, the genes and cellular mechanisms involved are the same as those in humans.” The jury’s in and, yes, expectant moms really are eating for two and not just for one. This study shows not only that we need to address problems such as preeclampsia during pregnancy, but also that prenatal care is far more important than anyone could have imagined a decade ago.” This is something that every expectant mother should understand.

After reading this interesting new information a few questions come to mind: If a fetus can alter its genes to adapt to the environment they are being born into – can a person alter their genes to adapt to their environment AFTER they are born? And since I treat patients with chiropractic care, what effect does Chiropractic treatment during pregnancy have on the potential of a child? If the environment is altered for the better – it makes sense the fetus would adapt genetically in a positive way.

Until proper research is done, no one can be 100% sure. But one thing certainly makes sense: During pregnancy, everything should be done to ensure the developing fetus has the best possible environment to grow into. Proper exercise, balanced diet, and a healthy spine with proper chiropractic care are all key elements in growing a healthy baby.

Discover the latest research about chiropractic. Visit the New Century Spine Centers website to learn about spinal decompression therapy to get rid of back pain.