How To Reprogram Your DNA For Optimum Health PDF

How to Reprogram Your DNA for Optimum Health
W hat if you could avoid the health

problems of your parents and
grandparents and instead create exactly
the level of ideal health you desire?
The fact is, you can. Most people mistakenly How to
Reprogram
assume that their genes control their eventual
health and wellbeing, but exciting new science disproves
this helpless stance. Your genes tell only part of the
story. The rest is written by epigenetics—alterations
to the way that genetic traits are expressed.
Epigenetics is like a powerful secret in your genes that proves and explains
how much control you have over your health and wellness, no matter the
genetic flaws you inherited. This book holds the answers you need to unlock
the incredible potential of epigenetics for shaping your own health now
and far into the future. Some of what you read may surprise you. For
instance, within these pages you’ll discover:
Your DNA
for
Optimum Health
● How one man used epigenetics ● How prepubescent smokers
to improve not only his health, helped researchers uncover
but also his entire life. the mechanisms of epigenetic
● Why heart disease doesn’t have inheritance.
to be your fate—even if it runs ● Why hypnotism is no hoax.
in your family. ● How you can override your
● How shifting your perceptions genetic code to reduce your
can rewrite your genetic health risks.
readout. ● The promising future of Spontaneous Healing and
epigenetic cancer drugs.
● The major mistake in Charles
Darwin’s theory of evolution ● How one woman cured her
Other Health Miracles
and how it affects your health. cancer using only her mind. through Epigenetics
Adelle LaBrec
● An experiment that turned ● The best supplement regimen

mice yellow—and why you for protecting and rewiring
should care. your genes.
Adelle LaBrec
Think of this book as a user’s guide to epigenetics as explained by top
scientists and doctors, with real-life examples of epigenetics in action
and clear advice on altering your own genetic code in exactly the ways
Think-Outside-the-Book Publishing, LLC
that will benefit you the most.
First Edition
How to
Reprogram
Your
for
DNA
Optimum Health
Spontaneous Healing and
through Epigenetics
Adelle LaBrec
Published by Think-Outside-the-Book Publishing, LLC
311 N. Robertson Boulevard, Suite 323

Beverly Hills, California 90211
www.UndergroundHealthReporter.com
Copyright © 2014 by Adelle LaBrec
First Edition 2014
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be

reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise without the written
permission of the publisher.
The views expressed in this publication are solely those of

the author, and are based upon research conducted exclu-
sively by the author, unless otherwise noted. The author
does not dispense medical advice, and does not intend
anything in this publication to constitute an attempt to
diagnose, treat, mitigate, or cure any medical or psychological
condition. Neither the author nor the publisher has any
financial interest in the products described in this publication,
nor do they intend to recommend any such products to treat
specific medical, psychological or other health conditions.
The information presented in this publication is intended
for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace
the advice of a medical doctor or other qualified health care
professional. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be
liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising
from the use of any information, suggestion, or product
described in this publication.
Introduction.................................................................................................1
What is Epigenetics?..................................................................................7
The Power of the Epigenome...................................................................9
The (Quantum) Physics of Perceptions, Emotions, and Beliefs..........10
Overriding Your Genetic Code ..............................................................14
The Science of Epigenetics … And How Darwin Got it Wrong...17
Darwin, Lamarck, and the New Truth About Evolution.....................18
The “How” of Epigenetics......................................................................21
Epigenetic Inheritance ............................................................................25
Feasts, Famines, and Future Health.......................................................28
Can Epigenetic Inheritance Be Proven?................................................30
How Your Choices Change Your Genetic Code...............................33
Beyond the Borders of Conventional Medicine....................................35
Take Control of Your Genetic Program ................................................38
Perfection is Not Necessary – The Power is in Ongoing Effort.........39
Are You Sending the Right Signals?.......................................................40
Evading America’s #1 Killer ....................................................................41
Eat Well, Be Well.....................................................................................42
Rewriting Your Genetic Destiny...........................................................45
The Epigenetic Drift ...............................................................................47
Where Nature Meets Nurture ...............................................................48
Change Your Mind, Change Your Genes..............................................50
Techniques to “Turn On” Wellness .......................................................53
Change Your Genes in Just Minutes ......................................................55
How Moving Your Body Changes Your Cells.......................................55
A Possible Key to Longer Life................................................................56
The Cancer Connection .........................................................................59

Epigenetics and Genetics: Accomplices in Cancer Development.......60
Can Cancer Cells Be Reprogrammed?..................................................62
Cancer Cells Stopped Growing and Disappeared ................................63
Why the Health Revolution Will Begin in Your Home
(And How One Woman Cured Cancer Using Only Her Mind)........65
DNA and Hypercommunication: Rewriting Your Genetic Code....67
“Magic” Words and Phrases Can Rewrite the Genetic Code .............68
Turning Frogs Into Salamanders – No Scalpel Needed ......................72
Trading the “Thought of Illness” for the “Thought of Cure”.............73
Have You Experienced Hypercommunication?....................................75
Autosuggestion and Your Genes...........................................................77
The Psychobiology of Gene Expression................................................78
A Master “Mental Chemist” ...................................................................80
We Are All in Kindergarten ....................................................................83
Hypnosis, Self-Help, and Gene Chips...................................................83
The (Serious) Science of Magic..............................................................85
The Future of Epigenetics .....................................................................87
Mapping the Epigenome.........................................................................89
Separating Fact from Fantasy .................................................................91
Epigenetics and Herbs – Explaining the Inexplicable ..........................93
New Assessments of Old Solutions ........................................................95
When East Meets West, Everyone Benefits..........................................98
Your Daily Dose of Optimal Wellness.................................................100
Polish Your Epigenome.........................................................................102
What Epigenetics Can Mean For You...............................................103
Sources......................................................................................................107
Index..........................................................................................................111
Adelle LaBrec 1
Introduction
“We were all brought up to think

the genome was it.It's really been a
watershed in understanding that there
is something beyond the genome.”
—C. David Allis, Rockefeller University molecular biologist.
T he announcement of the Human Genome Project in 1990,

which was intended to produce the first complete map of the
human genome, was met with unparalleled enthusiasm and high
expectations. Many scientists predicted that the success of the
project would radically reconfigure not only the world of medi-
cine, but the world as we know it. Once the estimated 25,000
genes that make up human DNA had been sequenced, we would
have unlocked the genetic key to how we look, feel, think, and
behave. With the human genome map in hand, many scientists
believed that there would quite literally be no more mysteries
about human life. As Jean-Pierre Issa, professor of microbiology
at Temple University, puts it, “When the human genome was
sequenced, some scientists were saying, ‘That’s the end. We’re
going to understand every disease. We’re going to understand
every behavior.’”
2 How to Reprogram Your DNA for Optimum Health
However, when the Human Genome Project finally concluded

in March of 2000, it quickly became clear that these hopes had
been overly optimistic to some degree. While the $3 billion
project had indeed furnished a wealth of fascinating new facts
about genes and how they function, there were undeniable signs
that a piece of the puzzle was still missing. And it was a critical
piece with respect to providing a full and complete view of
human health and the role of genes in the development of disease.
“As it turns out,” Issa notes, the picture was incomplete because
“the sequence of DNA isn’t enough to explain behavior. It isn’t
enough to explain the diseases.”
In the decade since, scientists have discovered that genes
tell only part of the story. The rest is written by epigenetics—
alterations to the way that genetic traits are expressed. These
epigenetic alterations do not change the DNA sequence itself,
but they are extremely influential nevertheless. The Human
Genome Project “provided the blueprint for life,” says David
Adelle LaBrec 3
Allis, professor at Rockefeller University in New York, “but the

epigenome will tell us how this whole thing gets executed.” This
“whole thing,” of course, includes the way that genetic traits are
involved in the development (or not) of disease within an
individual.
Identical twins provide a powerful illustration of this point.
Although their genes are identical, many aspects of their indi-
vidual bodies, such as their health, wellbeing, and even (over time)
their physical appearance, can vary dramatically. But even in the
short term, striking differences can be seen. “One might be
normal, while the other is autistic,” says Dr. Allis. “We can’t
explain that on the basis of pure genetics because the DNA is
identical. Something else must be at play.” That “something else”
is epigenetics, which guides gene expression.
It is commonly thought that if you have the gene for condition
X, eventually and inevitably you will develop condition X, and
that is that. There are some genes for which this rule holds true.
However, many other genes function more as pre-dispositional
factors than ultimate deciders. For instance, if you don’t have the
gene (or gene cluster) for certain types of breast cancer, you won’t
develop it; however, if you do have the gene (or cluster), this means
that you have a genetic predisposition to developing cancer. A
predisposition essentially means a “tendency toward” developing
a particular disease. But in order for this tendency to become a
reality, so that you actually do develop the disease, the genes
involved must “express” themselves, or become activated. Whether
you do or don’t develop breast cancer, then, depends on whether
the gene cluster is activated. In general, genes are expressed if and
only if all conditions are “right” for their activation.
Actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie’s decision to undergo
a preventative double mastectomy received heavy press coverage.
In an op-ed piece discussing her decision, Jolie writes: “The truth

is I carry a ‘faulty’ gene, BRCA1, which sharply increases my risk
of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.” Jolie is correct
that the BRCAI gene is implicated in breast cancer and can be
considered a genetic red flag signaling the potential for the devel-
opment of the disease. But in order for that to happen, the gene
must be activated; if it is not, a carrier of the BRCAI gene will not
develop breast cancer. It all depends on epigenetics.
And perhaps the most exciting aspect of epigenetics research
is that scientific study has shown that the behavior of genes is not
fixed and determined, nor completely out of our control. In fact,
it is possible for individuals to influence the behavior of their
genes. For instance, with respect to the BRCA1 gene, Karolyn A.
Gazella, author of The Definitive Guide to Cancer, and member of
one of the largest and most studied families in North America to
carry the BRCA1 gene mutation, writes that “it is not possible to
fix the mutations, but we know we can influence the expression of
other genes to help compensate.”
So, it is of profound importance to our health that we recognize
the distinction between mutated or faulty genes and the concept
of genetic predisposition—and that in order to be expressed (and,
consequently, trigger the development of disease) a gene must be
“turned on.” This is why despite having identical genes, twins can
turn out so differently. If a gene is “turned on” in one, and “turned
off” in the other, the trait contained within that gene will be
expressed in the first twin but not in the second. Another way to
think of the relationship between your genetic DNA and epigenetics
is to envision your DNA as a paragraph, and your genes as the
individual letters that make up the words in the paragraph.
Epigenetics is the factor that controls spacing and punctuation.
Although the “letters” don’t change, epigenetics can dramatically
Adelle LaBrec 5
alter the meaning and

appearance of the
“paragraph.” One way
that we can influence the
behavior of our genes—
and outsmart our genetic
programming—is through
the foods we choose to eat.
In a Psychology Today article
exploring how Jolie’s choice
could potentially affect
other women who carry
the gene mutation, Gazella
refers to a 2009 study
published in Breast Cancer
Research and Treatment. That
study showed that a high
consumption of fruits and vegetables decreased the likelihood that
women with the inherited BRCA mutation will develop cancer.
Ultimately, we may have far more choices than we’ve
ever imagined when it comes to influencing and even determining
our genetic futures.
Indeed, scientists are continually uncovering further evidence
of just how prominent the role of epigenetics is in almost every
aspect of our health. And the links, although powerful, aren’t always
obvious. For instance, a recent study showed that your place in
society’s “pecking order” can result in epigenetic alterations that
make you more (or less) likely to die of a heart attack.
This book has been carefully designed to help you unlock the
incredible potential of epigenetics for shaping your own health
now and far into the future. In it you will find information on the
history and science of epigenetics laid out in a clear, straightforward

way so that you don’t need an advanced degree to understand
these powerful ideas. Some of what you read may surprise you.
For instance, within these pages you’ll discover:
• How one man used epigenetics to improve not only his
health, but also his entire life
• Why heart disease doesn’t have to be your fate—even if it
runs in your family
• How shifting your perceptions can rewrite your genetic
readout
• The major mistake in Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution
and how it affects your health
• An experiment that turned mice yellow—and why you
should care
• How prepubescent smokers helped researchers uncover the
mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance
• Why hypnotism is no hoax
• How you can override your genetic code to reduce your
health risks
• The promising future of epigenetic cancer drugs
• How one woman cured her cancer using only her mind
• The best supplement regimen for protecting and rewiring
your genes
Think of this book as a user’s guide to your epigenome. Each
chapter is loaded with wisdom from top scientists and doctors,
real-life examples of epigenetics in action, and advice on altering
your own genetic code in exactly the ways that will benefit you
the most.
Adelle LaBrec 7
Chapter One:
What is Epigenetics?
“When you think of nurture

and nature, what epigenetics
represents is the interface between
those two influences.”
—Frances Champagne,
behavioral scientist at
Columbia University in New York
T he word “epigenetics” literally means “on top of genetics.”

When simplified to its core elements, epigenetics is the study
of changes to gene expression that alter how genes behave,
without altering the underlying genetic code itself. This is possible
because the changes in gene expression are dictated by the epi-
genome (the prefix “epi” means “above,” as in above the genes).
So, just as the epidermis is the layer above the skin, epigenes are
the cellular layer above your genes.
The simplest explanation of epigenetics, for our purposes, is that
it is an emerging science that proves and explains how much control
you have over your health and wellness, no matter the genes you
inherited. However,
to put epigenetics
to use in your life,
you will find it
exceptionally useful
to understand at
least some of the
extraordinary science
that has brought
these powerful
truths to light.
Otherwise, this new
field of medicine
could easily sound so
fantastical—so downright magical—that you’d scarcely be inclined
to believe it. But believe it you should, because the science that
reveals your innate power to change the way your genetic destiny
is expressed is some of the most thrilling science happening today.
Before delving into the world of epigenetics, a quick review of
genetics is in order. As the word “epigenetics” itself indicates, the
two subjects are inextricably enmeshed. Each cell in your body is
formed from 46 chromosomes, 23 from the mother’s egg and 23
from the father’s sperm. These chromosomes contain 60,000 to
100,000 genes in the form of deoxyribonucleic acid, a complex
molecule commonly known as DNA. As the primary hereditary
unit for all living things, DNA contains the information needed
to build and maintain a living organism.
Your DNA provides the raw material for your physical appear-
ance and personality. When your cells duplicate, they pass this
genetic information on to the newly formed cells. These immature
cells are known as stem cells, and stem cells have the potential to
become any type of fully differentiated adult cells. All of your
Adelle LaBrec 9
cells—from those making up the nail on your pinky finger to

those forming the innermost chamber of your heart—have an
identical DNA blueprint, regardless of how completely different
the functions each cell serves may be.
Most people have heard about stem cells in the media. Stem
cell research has garnered a great deal of attention and even con-
troversy because with the present state of technology, stem cell
research requires the destruction of a human embryo in order to
extract the stem cell line. Yet, the interest in and push for stem cell
research is not likely to decline any time soon, given the potential
these cells offer to medical science. Stem cells offer near infinite
possibilities for researchers, because of the way they can develop
into all the different kinds of tissues found in the human body.
Ultimately, your genes carry the instructions that not only first
allowed your body (and every organ, tissue, and cell) to develop, but
that also now allow your body to create all the things it needs to
function. Those functions are set by your epigenes, which instruct
fetal cells to develop according to their intended roles. Until recently
scientists believed that cellular function was “set” during gestation,
but it has now been shown that epigenes are actively involved in cell
function over the entire course of a person’s life.
The Power of the Epigenome

To begin to break down the way epigenetics works, imagine a
white cat and a black cat producing a litter of kittens—three white
ones, and three black ones. Genetically speaking, the three black
kittens inherited a gene capable of producing melanin (naturally
occurring dark pigments, such as is found in skin, hair, fur, and
feathers). The three white kittens inherited a defective gene, resulting
in un-pigmented fur. Now imagine that same white cat and black cat
have another litter, but this time two of the kittens are black, two are
white, and the remaining two have black and white stripes. Clearly,
the striped kittens inherited the melanin-producing gene, but the
melanin was only expressed sporadically, producing stripes.
This—the varied expression of identical genes in real life—
is what epigenetics is all about.
Epigenes determine whether a gene is switched on or off.
They also control how outside factors such as diet and stress
affect your genes. But that’s not all; they can also influence the
genes of your descendants.
The (Quantum) Physics of

Perceptions, Emotions, and Beliefs
Dr. Bruce H. Lipton, a world-renowned leader in cellular
biology and quantum physics research, was one of the first scien-
tists to recognize the importance of epigenes. Dr. Lipton is an
internationally recognized leader in bridging science and spirit.
Stem cell biologist, bestselling author of The Biology of Belief, and
recipient of the 2009 Goi Peace Award, he has appeared as a guest
speaker on hundreds of TV and radio shows, as well as being the
keynote presenter for national and international conferences. In
1982, Lipton began integrating the principles of quantum physics
into his understanding of the cell’s information processing systems.
To fully appreciate Dr. Lipton’s contributions, it will be helpful
to first describe the basic principles of quantum physics. Quantum
physics can be difficult to comprehend, especially when tackled
from a technical standpoint. However, when the main ideas are
translated from jargon to plain English, you may find the concepts
highly intuitive. Quantum physics deals with discrete, indivisible
units of energy called “quanta.” A superficial examination could
cause you to dismiss it as arcane theorizing, but in truth quantum
physics contains vital clues about the fundamental nature of the
Adelle LaBrec 11
universe and all the creatures living in it.

According to the Oracle Education Foundation, there are five
main ideas represented in Quantum Theory:
1. Energy is not continuous, but comes in small but discrete units.
2. The elementary particles behave both like particles and like waves.
3. The movement of these particles is inherently random.
4. It is physically impossible to know both the position and the
momentum of a particle at the same time. The more precisely
one is known, the less precise the measurement of the other is.
5. The atomic world is nothing like the world we live in.
Quantum physics describes the entire nature of the universe
as being far different from the world we see. In fact, the universe
from the quantum perspective can be so shockingly different, and
so infinitely complex, that even seasoned scientists have difficulty
grasping its implications. Niels Bohr, a Danish physicist who made
highly influential contributions to our modern understanding atomic
structure and quantum mechanics (for which he received the
Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922), put it this way: “Anyone who is
not shocked by quantum theory has not understood it.”
One of the most mind-boggling concepts to emerge from
quantum physics is that the mere act of observing a sub-atomic
particle changes it. This is clearly contrary to our “normal” way
of perceiving reality, in which objects simply are what they are,
regardless of whether they are observed or not. As radical as this
idea may seem, it has had tremendous influence on the direction
of research within the scientific community. And for good reason;
in essence, what it means is that our perceptions can actually
impact and change external reality. And this in turn means that
your reality is unique to you because it is the result of your own
unique perceptions. Likewise, everyone else’s reality is also unique
to them. In other words, there is no one single, unified, and

universally perceived reality. Or as Albert Einstein so aptly put
it, “Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.”
This understanding of how our perceptions affect reality is an
extraordinarily powerful concept, particularly when it comes to
our health. One of the most empowering aspects of quantum
physics is that the universe is fluid and always changing. In fact,
what quantum physics teaches us is that the universe is renewed
on a sub-atomic level every few seconds.
The universe is constantly engaged in an infinite dance of
creating and transforming itself. As sub-atomic particles are
destroyed, they are simultaneously recreated as new sub-atomic
particles. The average half-life of most sub-atomic particles is
just a few billionths of a second—which means that in the time
you have taken to read this paragraph, the universe, which includes
you and your physical body, has recreated and renewed itself many
times over. Imagine the implications this holds for our ability to
transform our own health and, for that matter, our lives.
On a subatomic level, everything in our lives—external and
internal—is refreshed and renewed every trillionth of a second or
so. Therefore, by the laws of quantum physics, every moment is
literally a new beginning.
Dr. Bruce Lipton’s work reflects a deep respect for and under-
standing of these laws of quantum physics. His breakthrough
studies revealed that epigenes, located on the cell membrane,
transmit electromagnetic signals to the interior of the cells.
These signals are produced by our senses, thoughts, beliefs,
and emotions. Just as you mentally adjust to your environment,
so, too, your cells respond to their environment.
Dr. Lipton compared the outer layer of the cell—the epigene—
Adelle LaBrec 13
to a computer chip. If your DNA is your genetic hardware, your

epigenes are your software. Research conducted by Dr. Lipton
between 1987 and 1992 showed that the epigene conveys infor-
mation about environmental factors that control the behavior and
physiology of the cell. His discoveries flew in the face of the
scientific dogma that claimed (and still does, in some instances)
that your fate is laid out entirely in your genes. Ultimately, Dr.
Lipton’s research was a watershed moment for the fledgling field
of epigenetics. In his two major publications discussing his
discoveries, Dr. Lipton explained how molecular pathways connect
the mind and body, and more importantly, how retraining our
thinking can change our bodies. This is both inspiring and moti-
vating, because if we can change our cells by changing our minds,
our lives are not completely controlled by our DNA.
Today, Dr. Lipton is the foremost authority on the link between
emotions and genetic expression. According to Lipton, your thoughts,
attitudes and perceptions are the true keys to optimal wellness,
because shifting your thought patterns can rewrite your genetic

readout. Rather than seeing your genes as the ultimate—and only—
source of your health or illness, Dr. Lipton’s research makes it
reasonable to see why your environment, in the broadest sense,
determines whether you thrive or wither. And by “environment”
we mean everything from your thought patterns and belief systems
to your exercise habits, diet, exposure to sunlight, and virtually
everything that impacts on your life. A supportive, healthy all-round
environment in this strong sense can translate into either wellness
or disease, not just for you, but for your children and even your
grandchildren. That’s the astonishing power of epigenetics.
Overriding Your Genetic Code

Evidence indicates that the lifestyle choices you make, such as
smoking and eating unhealthily, can intensify the expression of
genes that lead to obesity and dampen the expression of genes
that extend your lifespan. It’s also becoming clear that these
genetic modifications can predispose your children to disease.
Scientists have long recognized that lifestyle choices take on a
particular importance for expectant mothers during pregnancy,
and that her choices—from nutrition to whether or not to smoke
and even the level of stress she experiences—can affect the health
of her unborn baby. However, scientists have now gone on to
show that a mother’s lifestyle choices are far from the only factors
that can affect the health of the developing fetus. It may surprise
you to know, for example, that a father’s dietary habits during his
own adolescence can directly impact the health of not only his
children, but his grandchildren as well. Although this may initially
strike some people as far-fetched and difficult to accept, it’s a
good idea to keep in mind that just a few generations ago, medical
scientists were unaware that maternal drinking and smoking could
negatively affect an unborn child’s future health.
Adelle LaBrec 15
Some researchers also believe that epigenetics may explain

occurrences that have puzzled the logic of traditional genetics,
like why only one of a pair of genetically identical twins will
develop asthma, bipolar disorder, autism, and even cancer.
As mentioned previously, a genetic predisposition for a certain
condition was once regarded as a virtual guarantee that a person
would succumb to that disease or health issue. However, scientists
now say your choices can help prevent your genes from expressing
that condition. According Dr. David Rakel, director of integrative
medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and
Public Health, “Research is telling us even if your family has a
history of cancer, there are things you can do to bathe that gene
in a way to keep it from expressing itself. That means your genes
may produce healthy tissue instead of tissue that is diseased or
cancerous.” In other words, your lifestyle choices can override
your genetic code and effectively reduce or even eliminate your
chance of repeating your family’s history of poor health.
According to Dr. Rakel, changes in diet, exercise, and personal
attitude can reduce your odds of health decline due to age or genetics.
While this advice may sound like another iteration of “an apple a day
keeps the doctor away” and other medical truisms, the concept of
epigenetics is actually far more than chirpy folk wisdom. It is cutting-
edge science that produces visible changes to genetic expression.
“We have a choice to bathe our genes with joy, happiness, exercise,
and nutritious foods,” Dr. Rakel says, “or we can bathe them with
anger, lack of hope, junk food, and a sedentary lifestyle.” In either
case, the choices we make show up at a cellular level.
In 2007, Dr. Steven Schroeder of the University of California-
San Francisco, published a review concluding that the largest influ-
ence on longevity in America is personal behavior. According to Dr.
Schroeder’s review, even if top-shelf health care were available for all,
only a small fraction—10 percent—of lives would be saved with

high-tech interventions. However, embracing healthier habits
(notably, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing
stress) reduced the death rate by a staggering 40 percent!
But it’s not just about our habits; it’s also about our attitudes.
“Human attitude has a tremendous influence on health,” says
Dr. Rakel. “If I’m seeing what’s bad in the world, I won’t have
the hope that encourages positive lifestyle choices.” Conversely,
seeing the good in the world sparks beneficial outcomes. “If
I choose to eat fruits and vegetables versus high-fat foods, if I
choose to fill my heart with compassion versus hate and hostility,
that can leave a mark in my code that can be passed on,” Dr.
Rakel continues. Unlike more traditional scientific breakthroughs
focused on the latest drug or technological wonder, epigenetics
advances a simpler solution: self-healing.
“It could be a matter of forgiving that person who has made you
angry for 30 years,” says Dr. Rakel. “If you can do that, maybe your
shoulders feel lighter or that ache in your gut doesn’t feel as bad.
Maybe you stop getting headaches or neck pain. That’s an epigenetic
example of how that choice—forgiveness—results in tremendous
change in your overall outlook, well-being and physical health.”
The possibility of altering our genetic blueprint is both
terrifying and thrilling. Epigenetics places much of our health and
well-being directly into our own hands, which is, undeniably, a
weighty responsibility—but it is also remarkably empowering.
While poor choices may now seem more grave than ever, the
worry of falling victim to genetic destiny is virtually lifted. “The
question is not who you are now,” Rakel says, “but who do you
want to become? And who do you want your kids and your kids’
kids to become?” By changing your cells to eradicate disease, you
can pass on a legacy of health to your descendants. Nothing could
be a better inheritance than that.
Adelle LaBrec 17
Chapter Two:
The Science of Epigenetics...
And How Darwin Got it Wrong
“What if Darwin's theory of natural

selection is inaccurate? What if the way
you live now affects the life expectancy
of your descendants? Evolutionary
thinking is having a revolution . . .
Epigenetics is the most vivid reason
why the popular understanding of
evolution might need revising.”
–Oliver Burkman,
science writer for The Guardian
Y ou may be familiar with Aesop’s Fables, also known as the

Aesopica. This collection of fables originated in ancient
Greece and is credited to Aesop (620 – 560 BCE), a storyteller
and slave. Many are aetiological fables, meaning they explain why
something is the way it is. For instance, one fable describes how
the tortoise got its shell, and another how the crested lark came to
be crested. Early evolutionary scientists set out to answer much

the same kinds of questions. And the dominant theory of
evolution, since the time of its publication, has been that of
Charles Darwin. However, the burgeoning study of epigenetics
has prompted the reinvestigation of alternate evolutionary
principles.
In other words, Darwin may have gotten a key point wrong.
Darwin, Lamarck, and the

New Truth About Evolution
Over half a century before Charles Darwin wrote On the Origin
of Species, a French naturalist named Jean-Baptiste Pierre Antoine
de Monet, Chevalier de Lamarck proposed a very different theory
of evolution. Lamarckism, as his theory came to be known, centers
on the idea that organisms can pass on traits acquired over the
course of a single lifetime. The most popular (and since disproved)
example was that giraffes’ long necks were the result of constant
stretching to reach high, nutrient-rich leaves.
Lamarck began his career as a botanist, but ultimately he
specialized in the classification of worms, spiders, mollusks, and
other boneless creatures. In 1793, he helped to found France’s
Musee National d’Histoire Naturelle—or Museum of Natural
History. Struck by the similarities of many of the animals he
studied, Lamarck came to believe that organisms adapted to
environmental changes. These adaptations led the physical
changes—like the growth of giraffe necks—that could be inherited
by offspring. In other words, Lamarck’s theory suggested that if a
mother and father giraffe had to reach and crane their necks to
reach the leaves in high branches, their baby giraffes would then
be born with longer necks as a result of this parental experience.
Adelle LaBrec 19
Darwin, who was 84 years younger than Lamarck, argued that

adaptations happen over millennia, not the span of a generation.
His theory of evolution holds that giraffes have long necks because
of an adaptive process that took place very, very slowly over
multiple decades. What began as a random mutation in the form
of a longer neck became, over eons, the norm. Because giraffes
with longer necks held a survival advantage over those with
shorter necks, they were more successful at living long enough to
reproduce. When they mated, some of their offspring also had
longer necks, giving them in turn an advantage, and so on, until
eventually the genes that programmed for short necks became
almost obsolete.
“Darwin was 100 percent right” about the giraffe necks, says
Swiss bioengineer Renato Paro. However, the fact that he was
correct in this case doesn’t mean that Lamarck’s theory was entirely
wrong. Paro and other geneticists around the world have begun
to quietly admit that in dismissing Lamarckian evolutionary
theory as a scientific blunder, their predecessors made a monumental
mistake. It is now becoming quite clear that parents sometimes
do pass traits that they have acquired during their lifetimes to
their offspring in just the way Lamarck suggested.
An example of such an acquired trait can be seen in water fleas
living in predator-heavy environments. Such water fleas develop
large defensive spines for protection in what is clearly an adaptive
response to the threats and dangers of a particular environment. If
Darwin’s theory were correct and acquired traits cannot be passed
on, then subsequent generations of fleas should not grow spines
unless they lived in a similar predator-rich environment. Raised in
a predator-free environment, on the other hand, the offspring
would have no need for such protection and should be spine-free.
However, even when the offspring of the original water fleas were
raised in predator-free settings, they developed spines as well. All

of which means that an adaptive trait acquired by one generation
can become an inheritable trait that can be passed on to the next.
This process is called transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, and
fleas aren’t the only organisms that evolve this way.
An article published in The Quarterly Review of Biology
in 2009 listed over 100 well-documented cases of epigenetic
inheritance. It’s become overwhelmingly apparent that non-DNA
inheritance happens far more frequently than scientists once
thought, and that organisms can adapt much faster than Darwin
believed. According to Eva Jabonka and Gal Raz, who compiled
the list, “epigenetic inheritance is ubiquitous.” In other words, it
happens all the time, far beyond what’s been currently docu-
mented and proven. Jabonka and Raz noted cases of epigenetic
inheritance in bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, and animals, a set
of findings that the authors claimed is “the tip of a very large
iceberg.”
Though widespread revival of Lamarckism is recent, the
beginning of modern epigenetics is most often marked as 1942.
That’s the year when Conrad Waddington, an English develop-
mental biologist, is said to have coined the term “epigenetics.”
Waddington believed there was something working on top of the
DNA sequence to modulate gene expression. His choice of the
term epigenetics was likely influenced by Aristotle’s ideas about
epigenesis, the forming of specific, individual beings from unformed
matter. Waddington defined epigenetics as “the branch of biology
which studies the casual interactions between genes and their
products, which brings the phenotype into being.” He was inter-
ested in the extent to which humans are genetically programmed
versus environmentally shaped. He and his followers investigated
whether—and how— experiences trigger genetic changes.
Adelle LaBrec 21
The “How” of Epigenetics

Scientists have already identified many mechanisms involved
in the “how” of epigenetics, including processes with such daun-
ting names such as methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation,
ubiquitylation, and sumolyation. Of these processes, DNA methy-
lation is the most studied, in part because existing technology is best
suited to do so. Though it may sound incomprehensible, DNA
methylation can be understood quite easily.
DNA is our master program, residing in the nucleus of every
one of our cells. Enzymes bind methyl groups (a basic unit in
organic chemistry made up of one carbon atom attached to three
hydrogen atoms) to the DNA. Often, a methyl group is affixed
near the beginning of a gene. The beginning of a gene is where
proteins fasten on to activate the gene. When the beginning of a
gene is blocked by a methyl group, proteins can’t connect to it,
and the gene will most likely remain inactive.
Nucleus
(where DNA
is located)
Cell Membrane
Cytoplasm
For this reason, you can imagine that the distribution of

methyl groups significantly impacts the expression of your genes.
Even though methyl groups don’t change the underlying DNA,
they do alter patterns of gene expression. This in turn has an
immediate effect on our health—and a long-term impact on our
children and grandchildren, because these altered gene expressions
can be inherited by subsequent generations. Depending on
environmental influences, the arrangement of methyl groups
can be static from embryo development to death, or can vary
drastically over a person’s lifetime.
Researchers are still teasing apart the factors that influence
DNA methylation. A woman’s diet during pregnancy appears to
significantly affect the epigenetic tags of her child. Prenatal diets
low in nutrients containing methyl groups—nutrients such as
folic acid and vitamin B12—have been linked to multiple prob-
lems including an increased risk of asthma and defects of the
spinal cord and brain. Studies have also found that exposure to
the chemical additive BPA in the early developmental phases can
cause irregularities.
Additional research on sets of twins offers further clues. For
example, in sets of twins where one but not the other has schizo-
phrenia or bipolar disorder, scientists have uncovered differences
in the methylation of certain genes associated with these condi-
tions between the healthy twin and the twin with the disease.
Certain processes associated with the development and progression
of Alzheimer’s disease have also been linked to the presence and
placement of methyl groups. It seems clear that methylation plays
a crucial role in determining whether or not certain diseases will
be genetically expressed.
While researchers have devoted the bulk of their work to
methylation, another important mechanism that controls
Adelle LaBrec 23
epigenetic inheritance is histone modification. Again, it’s a highly

technical term that can be easily broken down. Histone modi-
fication—sometimes called chromatin modification—is just
another process that modifies gene expression without changing
the underlying genetic structure. Histones are simply basic
proteins. DNA coils around these basic proteins to form chromatin,
which in turn forms your chromosomes. If methyl groups are like
switches that turn genes on and off, histones are like knobs. The
tightness or looseness of the DNA spooled on the histone deter-
mines how strongly a particular genetic trait will be expressed.
Histone modifications tend to be less enduring than those
triggered by methylation.
More work is needed to determine how the molecules
surrounding our DNA—including methyl groups and histones—
affect gene activity. It’s clear that the foods we eat, the chemicals
we come in contact with, the viruses we contract, and our physical
activity levels all affect these regulatory molecules.
For example, in regard to food, studies indicate that shortages
or excesses of food during childhood trigger epigenetic changes
that result in a whole host of conditions, from diabetes to obesity
to early onset puberty. Other known or suspected drivers behind
epigenetic processes include:
• Heavy metals
• Pesticides
• Diesel exhaust
• Tobacco smoke
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• Hormones
• Radioactivity
• Bacteria
One of the most pertinent aspects of epigenetics is especially

exciting, as it holds great promise for our health status. As far as
contemporary science can tell, in the absence of environmental
triggers, epigenetic changes will be stripped away, and your DNA
code will revert to its original programming. Remember,
epigenetics does not change DNA; it is a biological response to
environmental pressure. If the pressure fades, the response will
eventually fade as well. In other words, although the adaptive
response can be inherited, there is evidence that these changes
to how our genes behave need not be permanent. Only natural
selection—as described by Darwin—can cause permanent genetic
change. This means that where potentially harmful adaptive
changes have occurred as a response to our overall environment
(including unhealthy food, stress, toxins, sedentary lifestyle, etc.)
we have good reason to believe that by removing those triggers
the potential for damage can also be lessened.
Adelle LaBrec 25
Chapter Three:
Epigenetic Inheritance
“Give mothers chemicals, and it can

affect offspring and the next generation.”
–Dr. Larry Feig, biochemist at Tufts University
O ne of the most impressive (and oft-cited) examples of the

power of epigenetics to alter gene expression in future gen-
erations comes from a 2003 study carried out by Duke University
oncologist Dr. Randy Jirtle and one of his postdoctoral students,
Robert Waterland. Dr. Jirtle and his team experimented with
genetically identical pairs of agouti mice. These agouti mice have
a gene that, when expressed continuously, results in yellow coats
and a propensity for obesity and diabetes.
In order to discover whether pre-natal diet can impact on
gene expression in offspring, one group of pregnant agouti mice
was fed a diet supplemented with nutrients such as folic acid,
choline, vitamin B12, and folate. The other group was fed an
un-supplemented diet. The results were quite telling: mothers
who benefited from prenatal supplementation gave birth to
healthy brown pups of normal weight that were not predisposed
to diabetes. The researchers found that the nutrients acted as

methyl donors, causing methyl groups to attach more frequently
to the agouti gene in utero. This suppressed the effects of the
agouti gene so significantly that, although their DNA predicted
identical odds of growing up to be fat and yellow, the two litters
of agouti mouse pups looked totally dissimilar and had divergent
risks for obesity and other diseases.
Frances Champagne, a behavioral scientist at Columbia
University in Manhattan, says that the most striking thing about
Jirtle’s study is that the results are unequivocally visible, even to
the naked eye. “We’ve got a yellow obese mouse, and a brown
mouse,” Champagne says, adding that although the Jirtle study
was conducted with mice, “there’s reason to believe it happens in
humans, too.”
A study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and
Metabolism in 2005 further supports Champagne and Jirtle’s
contention that human mothers are also able to transmit epigenetic
changes to their children. This turns out to be true not only with
respect to maternal diet, but also with respect to external factors,
such as the experiences of the mother. The study found that preg-
nant women who witnessed the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade
center passed on higher levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) to
their babies. Other research also indicates that intense traumatic
experiences can be passed down as post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) from one generation to the next.
Even modification to memory—an intricately complex and
sophisticated biological and psychological procedure—can be
inherited. In 2009, the Journal of Neuroscience published the results
of a study done by Dr. Larry Feig, a biochemist at Tufts University.
For two weeks during adolescence, Dr. Feig and his colleagues
placed mice that had been genetically engineered to have impeded
Adelle LaBrec 27
memory functioning in an environment filled with toys, exercise

opportunities, and social interaction.
As expected based on previous work showing that enriched
environments boost brain function, the memory capacities of the
mice improved. The researchers carefully examined a molecular
mechanism called long-term potentiation (LTP). LTP is a form of
neural transmission that is key to memory formation. To their
surprise, the researchers found that environmental enrichment
repaired genetically faulty LTP connections.
Not only did Dr. Feig’s team find that environmental stimuli
boosted memory despite genetic disadvantages, but they also
found that the improvements to memory could be passed on to
future generations. “When you look at the offspring,” says Feig,
“they still have the defect in the protein, but they also have
normal LTP.” Even when the pups were given no extra attention,
and raised by memory-deficient mice, the findings held true.
“The results are extremely surprising and unexpected,” says
Li-Huei Tsai, a neuroscientist at MIT. “This study is probably
the first study to show there are transgenerational effects not
only on behavior but on brain plasticity.”
Dr. Feig’s study was a breakthrough in another way, too. It was
one of the very first experiments that pointed to a longer time-
frame during which environmental influences can trigger epigenetic
changes. Contrary to the earlier belief that the “window” for
epigenetic changes was limited to pregnancy and early develop-
mental phases, Dr. Feig’s study suggests an extended timeframe
that not only includes first generation offspring, but that can also
carry forward into future generations. “Give mothers chemicals,
and it can affect offspring and the next generation,” Dr. Feig says.
“In this case, [these effects] happened way before the mice were
even fertile.”
Feasts, Famines, and Future Health

Since the 1980s, a Swedish scientist named Dr. Lars Olov
Bygren has been investigating how parental experiences affect the
health of their children. Dr. Bygren was working as a preventative-
health specialist at the distinguished Karolinska Institute in
Stockholm when he read and was fascinated by ideas presented in
two groundbreaking papers published in the prestigious medical
journal The Lancet. These two papers, dealing with how condi-
tions in the womb could impact on the health of offspring not
only as children but also throughout adulthood, would ultimately
define Dr. Bygren’s career path.
The first of the two, published in 1986, linked nutritional
deficits during a mother’s pregnancy to an increased risk of heart
disease for her child later in life. This data started Dr. Bygren
wondering whether it was also possible that parents’ experiences,
and particularly those that occurred prior to pregnancy, could also
influence the traits that were passed on.
As he was pondering
this epigenetic tangle, Dr.
Bygren was also analyzing
population data from 19th
century Norrbotten,
Sweden. The Norrbotten
area, located in northern-
most Sweden, is very
sparsely inhabited (with an
average of only six people
per square mile) and is also
quite isolated. In fact,
Norrbotten is so isolated
Adelle LaBrec 29
from the rest of the country that during the 1800s, if the local
harvest was bad, people simply starved. Conversely, in years of
abundant harvest, the people of Norrbotten tended to feast for
months.
Dr. Bygren was interested in whether the “feast or famine”
environment in the region affected the health of children, and if so,
whether the effects were short-lived or continued to make themselves
felt over the long term. In order to pursue these questions, he
designed a study aimed at investigating potential links between
environmental conditions and health across several generations.
Dr. Bygren’s first step was to collect data from a random
sample of 99 people born in 1905 in the Overkalix parish of
Norrbotten. He then used historical records to trace their parents
and grandparents. By analyzing agricultural records, Dr. Bygren
and two of his colleagues were able to see, in meticulous detail,
how much food had been available to the parents and grand-
parents during their childhoods.
Dr. Bygren’s findings showed that the sons and grandsons of
boys who, thanks to a plentiful harvest, went from normal eating
to feasting in a single season lived considerably shorter lives than
average. In the first of his papers on Norrbotton (published in
2001 in the Dutch journal Acta Biotheoretica), Dr. Bygren reported
that the grandsons of the boys who had overeaten died an average
of six years earlier than the grandsons of those who had suffered
through a starving winter. As disturbing as this six year difference
is, the actual longevity gap turns out to be even more shocking.
After controlling for various socioeconomic factors, Dr. Bygren
and his team discovered the longevity gap jumped to a remarkable
32 years.
In later papers, they found that a significant difference in life
spans also applied along the female line. The data clearly suggested
that, for both boys and girls, a single winter of glutinous eating
during childhood could set off a chain reaction that would result
in one’s grandchildren dying decades before their peers. In other
words, Dr. Bygren’s work helped establish an indisputable link
between environment and genetic expression. However, Dr.
Bygren and his team faced a seemingly insurmountable scientific
obstacle: duplicating the results. In his search for a solution, Dr.
Bygren uncovered a near-forgotten paper by a British geneticist
named Marcus Pembrey.
Can Epigenetic Inheritance Be Proven?

In 1996, Dr. Marcus Pembrey, a prominent geneticist at Uni-
versity College London and a committed Darwinist, published a
highly unusual paper. In the paper, a review of epigenetic science
at the time, Dr. Pembrey hypothesized beyond Darwin’s theory of
evolution. What if, Dr. Pembrey asked, the ever-more-pressing
demands of modern life had caused our genes to react more
quickly? Rather than changing at an extremely slow and gradual
rate over many generations and millennia, what if our genes now
adapted much more quickly, possibly even within “a few, or
moderate number, of generations”? Granted, the genes encoded
within DNA would be unable to alter within that short window of
time, but Dr. Pembrey wondered whether the epigenetic markers
might be able to change the way the genes themselves behave. In
other words, while the structure of DNA would remain stable and
fixed over this time frame, could environmental pressures cause
certain genes to remain unexpressed and others to become active?
Dr. Pembrey’s ideas were so radical that his paper was met with
incredulity and heated controversy. The major scientific journals
firmly refused to publish his work. Eventually, a small Italian
Adelle LaBrec 31
journal, Acta Geneticae Medicae et Gemollogiae, accepted his paper.

But with such a modest readership, the paper received scant serious
attention, and seemed destined to fall into dusty obscurity. Unsure
of how to go about testing the theory he proposed, Dr. Pembrey
eventually also put the idea aside. That is, until May of 2000, when
he received an email from Dr. Lars Olov Bygren, which contained
an explanation of the Overkalix life-expectancy data.
The two researchers, fueled by their common passionate
commitment to the same theoretical concepts, soon became
friends and colleagues. Together, they tried to work out a research
method that would allow them to investigate “the Overkalix
connection” more deeply and thoroughly. Certain research
experiments that may have provided them with additional insight
had to be discarded for various reasons. For instance, trying to
replicate the “feast or famine” circumstances would be unethical,
to say the least, because it would require that some children be
denied adequate food while others were forced to overindulge.
But even if the ethical issues were overcome, this experimental
method wouldn’t be feasible, because it would mean waiting 60
years or more before any clear results were achieved—a time-
frame that would outstrip both their lifetimes.
However, by a lucky twist of fate, Dr. Pembrey had access
to another source of genetic information that would ultimately
prove to be an even greater goldmine than the Overkalix records.
Founded by Jean Golding, an epidemiologist at University
College, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children
(ALSPAC), is a research project uniquely designed to determine
how genotype and environment influence health and development.
Dr. Pembrey himself was a longtime board member of ALSPAC,
which is based at the University of Bristol, and he was familiar
with Dr. Golding’s work. Golding and her staff were in the midst
of an ongoing study, and had recruited 70 percent of all women

in the area, including a total of 14,024 women who had given birth
in 1991 and 1992. The study followed both parents and their
children (from birth), and its participants were given an extensive
battery of medical and psychological tests on an annual basis.
By the time Pembrey and Bygren began working together, the
ALSPAC data has already yielded a number of important insights
about childhood health. For instance, the study suggested that
baby lotions containing peanut oil could be a factor behind
increased rates of peanut allergies. In addition, there is a strong
association between asthma in children and high levels of maternal
anxiety during pregnancy. Further, and perhaps surprisingly,
bathing children too frequently may put them at higher risk for
developing eczema. While all these findings are of value in and
of themselves, by far the most momentous finding was one that
closely mirrored the results of the Overkalix study. This finding
emerged from data Golding had collected about a cohort of 166
boys within her participant group.
Adelle LaBrec 33
Chapter Four:
How Your Choices Change
Your Genetic Code
“What other things could we be doing

to flip those switches and provide a
better blueprint for our kids to start
them off right in life?”
– Dr. Beth Abramson, director of women’s cardiovascular
health at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto
P rior to puberty boys are “genetically isolated.” What we mean

by this is simply that their sperm—which is the genetic material
that will impart their DNA to any future children—does not yet
exist. Girls, on the other hand, are born with all their ova, or
eggs, already stored within their bodies. So in that sense, girls
already share a genetic link with their future children. If epigenetic
changes are truly inheritable in the sense we’ve been discussing,
meaning the expression or activation of genes that do not yet
exist (in the bodies of future children) can also be affected by the
environment and experiences of parents, then prepubescent boys
are ideal candidates for demonstrating this. Hypothetically, the
years preceding puberty seem prime for epigenetic change. What

better time for the environment to affix epigenetic markers to the
genetic code of the Y chromosome, which is carried only by boys,
than when sperm production first begins?
If the environment and experiences of boys who have not yet
begun to produce sperm can be shown to affect the health status
of their offspring, this would provide additional and very signi-
ficant support for the correctness of Pembrey and Bygren’s
theory. And that is exactly what the ALSPAC study provided.
According to the ALSPAC data, 166 of the 14,024 fathers in
the study said they started smoking before age 11—just before
entering puberty. When Dr. Pembrey, Dr. Bygren, and Dr.
Golding scrutinized the data pertaining to the sons of those 166
prepubescent smokers, they found that by age nine, these boys
had significantly
higher body mass
indexes (BMIs) than
other boys. Higher
BMIs can mean
a considerably
increased risk of
obesity, as well as
of developing other
serious health
issues later in life.
In a trailblazing
paper published in
the European Journal
of Human Genetics in
2006, Drs. Pembrey,
Bygren, and Golding
Adelle LaBrec 35
write that it is extremely likely that the sons of early smokers will
have shortened life spans. Noting the strikingly similar prognosis
for the sons of the overeaters in the Overkalix study, the doctors
conclude: “The coherence between the ALSPAC and Overkalix
results in terms of exposure-sensitive periods and sex specificity
supports the hypothesis that there is a general mechanism for
transmitting information about the ancestral environment down
the male line.” In demonstrating that the ALSPAC data paralleled
Overkalix for both the environmental factor exposure period
(prepubesence) and sex (male), Dr. Bygren’s quest to establish the
solidity and verifiability of his original theory succeeded beyond
his wildest expectations.
Considering the vast implications these studies hold for our
health—as well as the health of our children and possibly our
grandchildren—it is little wonder that in a 2010 article for Time
magazine, senior health writer John Cloud called the Pembrey,
Bygren, and Golding article “the most compelling epigenetic
study yet written.”
Beyond the Borders of Conventional Medicine

The more we learn about epigenetics, the more it becomes
starkly evident that contemporary medicine fails to adequately
treat widespread health concerns such as cancer and heart disease.
Slowly, some conventionally trained doctors are adjusting their
outlooks and treatment protocols to take epigenetics into account.
One of those forward-thinking doctors, Dr. Frank Lipman, has
become a leader in the practical application of epigenetics for
transforming the health and the lives of his patients. Dr. Lipman
is the author of Total Renewal: 7 Key Steps to Resilience, Vitality, and
Long Term Health and Revive: Stop Feeling Spent and Start Living
Again, and founder and director of Eleven-Eleven Wellness
Center in New York.

Dr. Lipman’s history is not only fascinating, but highly relevant
to how he has come to be one of America’s leading integrative
physicians. Dr. Lipman trained as a doctor in South Africa under
apartheid. After finishing medical school at the University of
Witwaterstrand in Johannesburg, the best university in South
Africa, he chose to intern at Baragwaneth Hospital. Located in
Soweto, one of the “Blacks Only” areas surrounding Johannesburg,
Baragwaneth Hospital serves a primarily blue-collar clientele—
typically factory workers, gold miners, and domestic laborers.
The rationale for Dr. Lipman’s unusual choice for his intern-
ship can be traced back to his parents. Dr. Lipman’s mother and
father were political activists who fought against apartheid. In his
book, Total Renewal, Dr. Lipman writes that his parents “instilled
in me a sense of social justice and the importance of questioning
the status quo.” He credits this philosophy not only with informing
his choice to intern at Baragwaneth, but also with setting the tone
for his entire career.
At Baragwaneth, the largest and busiest hospital on the con-
tinent of Africa, Dr. Lipman encountered a wide variety of diseases,
injuries, and non-Western medical practices. “Sometimes, when
we doctors found ourselves unable to help a patient using conven-
tional methods,” he writes in Total Renewal, “the patient’s family
would call in a sangoma, a traditional African healer.” Though he
was crushingly busy tackling the problems his patients routinely
faced due to living in poverty in an overcrowded urban area—
things like knife wounds, alcoholism, diabetes, hypertension, and
stroke—Dr. Lipman couldn’t help but notice that on more than
one occasion a patient’s condition improved after a visit from the
sangoma.
Adelle LaBrec 37
After his internship, Dr. Lipman spent 18 months in Kwandbele,

one of the “homelands” wherein the apartheid government forced
different tribal groups to live. During that time, he frequently
encountered life-threatening medical emergencies, such as heart
failure, acute asthma, bowel obstructions, pneumonia, and
meningitis.
Because for the most part he was able to respond to and treat
such emergencies effectively, he simply did not question what he
had been taught in medical school. “My medical training was
indispensable for these types of problems,” writes Lipman.
“I felt that I was helping people, and as a result, I believed in
my training and in modern medicine.”
When he returned to the suburbs of Johannesburg, however,
Dr. Lipman’s practice consisted mainly of middle-class Caucasian
patients. Compared to the patients he saw at Kwandbele and
Baragwaneth, these people had a wealth of advantages. While
they were not critically ill, they were also experiencing far from
optimal health. The “worried well,” as Dr. Lipman termed them,
were being adversely affected by lifestyle factors such as poor
eating habits, lack of exercise, overwork, and stress.
While it wasn’t difficult to identify the lifestyle factors that
were harming his patients’ health, it came as something of a
shock to Lipman to realize that when it came to treating non-
emergency problems (headaches, joint pain, indigestion, and
fatigue), his training had failed to equip him with the knowledge
required to help at least three out of four patients he saw.
Feeling frustrated and helpless, Dr. Lipman confided in Dr.
Paul Davis, the owner of the practice. Dr. Davis laughed and told
him: “Don’t worry. Most people get better by themselves despite
the medicine we give them. Your real job is to listen to your
patient and be there for them.” Lipman was dissatisfied with this
response and what he viewed as an essentially passive approach to
health care. “I couldn’t accept that for the rest of my medical
career I would only help 25 percent of the people who were going
to see me.” In 1984, Lipman emigrated to the United States and,
in his search to find more effective ways to help his patients, he
began studying alternative therapies such as acupuncture,
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), yoga, meditation,
bodywork, and biofeedback.
While Lipman may not have realized it at the time, he was
at the forefront of a movement towards what is now called
“integrative medicine,” and he is now internationally recognized
as an expert in functional and integrative medicine. At Eleven-
Eleven Wellness Center, he practices a unique blend of “good
medicine,” which combines all the systems he has studied, and
which elegantly harnesses the potential of epigenetics science in
the everyday lives of the patients he treats.
Take Control of Your Genetic Program

It comes as no surprise—considering Dr. Lipman’s efforts to
combine the best of modern medicine with traditional methods of
healing—that he is fascinated by and holds a deep respect for the
power of epigenetics. “When all is said and done, the idea that
epigenetic changes are reversible is just this side of revolutionary,”
he says.
As mentioned earlier, mutated genes are unlikely to revert
back to normalcy, but this does not mean that defective genetic
programming cannot be corrected. With this in mind, Lipman
expresses the belief that it is imperative that we take responsibility
for our own health and do our best to send healthy signals to our
epigenes. “How you communicate with your genes will influence
Adelle LaBrec 39
how they’ll express themselves, so my advice is to bathe them

inside and out in the healthiest environment possible.” His advice
on how to do so is pleasantly simple: eat nourishing, organic food;
avoid exposure to chemicals and toxins; exercise regularly; make
restful sleep a priority; and seek out loving relationships.
Perfection is Not Necessary—

The Power is in Ongoing Effort
Above all, Dr. Lipman emphasizes the importance of making an
ongoing effort to improve your health status, but at the same time,
not demanding perfection of yourself. Especially as you first begin
to adopt a healthier lifestyle, there will be times you fall short of
your goals. Don’t dwell on what you did wrong. The important
thing is that after a slip, you redouble your efforts, or as Dr.
Lipman puts it “get back on that pony every day.” Whenever you
face temptation, Dr. Lipman suggests asking yourself this question:
“Is this promoting my health or pushing it farther from my grasp?”
Making honest, conscious choices is the best way to recognize

your ultimate control over your own health.
Are You Sending the Right Signals?

Your diet is a crucial arena for health-protective choice making.
As the Overkalix study showed, subpar decision-making with
respect to nutritional intake can affect your health as well as the
health of your descendants. Fortunately, eating healthily can
counteract many genetic handicaps, and establish a better starting
place for the next generation. A new field called “nutrigenomics,”
a branch of nutritional genomics, is devoted to the study of the
effects of foods on gene expression. By analyzing how different
foods interact with specific genes, researchers in this field have
confirmed that dietary signals directly influence the metabolic
programming of our cells. Essentially, food “talks” to our genes
and the way our genes express themselves varies based on those
“conversations.”
Not only does the food we eat carry information to our genes,
but it can also in some cases carry instructions that can either
increase or decrease our risk for certain diseases. The list of
critical biological processes affected by dietary signals includes
cholesterol levels, aging, hormone regulation, and weight
fluctuations. Eating the right foods promotes healthy function in
these and other important areas, whereas eating the wrong ones
leaves you vulnerable to disease. The makeup of food is far more
complex than the nutrient building blocks with which you may
already be familiar. Inside an apple, for instance, there are
thousands of micronutrient compounds that relate to one another
and to your genes in complex and dynamic ways. With processed
foods, however, like an apple-flavored snack bar, these
micronutrients are altered or absent. It shouldn’t be surprising,
Adelle LaBrec 41
then, that these two food items deliver totally different messages
to your body. The messages from the apple are all positive, but as
you might suspect, those from the processed, pseudo-apple snack
can be mixed at best and wholly negative at worst.
Just as computers can be corrupted by bad data, your body
won’t function properly when fed this type of negative infor-
mation from food. In fact, nutritionally empty, overly processed
foods cause your genes to miscue metabolic actions. One fascin-
ating result of our overly processed diets is that it is becoming
increasingly common for our biological systems to respond to
processed foods as if they were foreign invaders rather than food,
and indigestible foreign invaders at that. In order to protect itself
from damage, the body initiates an inflammatory response to
what it perceives as a threat. If we continue to “feed” our bodies
mainly processed foods, this inflammatory response goes into
overdrive, becoming continuous and chronic, which in turn leads
to a low-grade but chronic inflammation throughout the body.
Chronic inflammation of this sort is now recognized as a precursor
for a variety of serious illnesses.
Evading America’s #1 Killer

Of the many illnesses known to stem from low-grade inflam-
mation, heart disease is one of the most deadly. According to the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in every four deaths in
the United States is due to heart disease—that’s about 600,000
deaths annually. But epigenetics holds an invaluable key to
stopping the encroachment of this destructive disease. Already,
researchers have actually pinpointed markers placed by DNA
methylation on genes linked to cardiovascular conditions.
It all started with a research team led by Dr. Mehregan
Movassagh of the University of Cambridge. Dr. Movassagh’s
research was the first to establish a connection between lifestyle

choices and the epigenetic expression of heart disease. The findings
of Movassagh’s team are based on comparative studies of samples
of heart tissue taken from two groups: men with heart disease
who died after undergoing heart transplants; and individuals with
healthy hearts who died in traffic accidents.
“We already know that several genes play an important role in
heart failure,” said Dr. Movassagh. “Researchers have looked at
mutations in these genes, and sometimes don’t see any, so it could
be methylation, not mutation, which is responsible for the altered
expression that leads to disease.” When the Cambridge team
compared the genomes from the two groups, they found that the
diseased hearts had epigenetic markers at significant locations on
genes associated with heart failure. “This opens a new window on
the link between genome and disease,” Movassagh said.
More work must be done to deepen the understanding of the
link. But even now, the Cambridge research makes one thing
exceedingly clear. That is, epigenetic factors have a significant
influence over whether you develop heart disease, even if you
have a strong genetic predisposition towards doing so. The next
steps in research studies will likely focus on determining patterns
of methylation in specific genes, and on how environmental
influences (obesity, for example) prompt DNA methylation.
However, the work done to date supports the optimistic hope that
future research findings will point the way towards more effective
treatment of heart disease, as well as more exact guidelines for
how to prevent it.
Eat Well, Be Well

The science behind how food speaks to your genes is highly
complicated and technical. Fortunately, the science of what we
Adelle LaBrec 43
should be eating for

optimal health is far more
straightforward. Perhaps
the most concise way of
describing a healthy diet
comes from Michael
Pollan, author of In
Defense of Food. Pollan’s
advice? “Eat food. Not
too much. Mostly plants.”
Although it doesn’t get
much simpler than that,
for those seeking further
guidance, Dr. Frank
Lipman offers the
following tips:
• Eat fresh, whole, unrefined, and unprocessed foods. Hint: if it
has a label, it’s likely that it’s not any of these things.
• The further removed the food is from its source, the less good
data it will contain for your genes.
• Strive to eat fruits and vegetables in all shades of all colors of
the rainbow.
• Buy fresh food whenever possible—ideally, locally grown and
organic.
• When you feel 80 percent full, stop eating.
• Be wary of obsessive calorie counting.
• Don’t waste time feeling guilt for eating the “wrong” thing.
Just recommit to making a more healthful choice next time.
These guidelines are incredibly simple, but not necessarily
easy to follow. In a culture and a time when many people rely on
processed foods from bags and boxes for most of their calories
on most days of the week, following the above advice may take
considerable effort because it means making a rather drastic
change in our habits. However, the benefits of doing so are
outstanding. Eating in this manner as often as you possibly can
ensures that your genes receive the best data to work with in
order to express positive health traits and inactivate negative
ones, now and in the future.
Adelle LaBrec 45
Chapter Five:
Rewriting Your Genetic Destiny
“What you are thinking, feeling, and

believing is changing the genetic expression
and chemical composition of your body on
a moment-by-moment basis.”
—Dawson Church, PhD, founder of the National Institute
for Integrative Healthcare (NIIH)
A s mentioned earlier, some of the most valuable and

informative studies illustrating the potential power of
epigenetics to overwrite genetic destiny have been done with
identical twins. The scientific term for identical twins is
“monozygotic twins,” because the genetic material for each twin
came from the same embryo. Monozygotic twins are the result of
a split in the embryonic material at a very early developmental
phase. Because these twins are from the same embryo, they have
identical genetic codes. Often they are also identical in outward,
physical appearance. However, as time passes, the genes of one
twin may be expressed differently than the other, resulting in
radically dissimilar health outcomes.
A group of Spanish, Swedish, Danish, English and American

investigators published a seminal study in the Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) in 2005 on the influence of
environmental factors on genetic expression. By the time of this
study, epigeneticists had already come to suspect that DNA
methylation was affected by the environment, but no one had as
yet been able to prove it. But this study changed all that, because
according to lead author Mario Fraga of the Spanish National
Cancer Centre in Madrid, this was “the first time that somebody
has demonstrated that this is the case.” The comprehensive,
detailed study explored age-associated epigenetic changes in
identical human twins. In an article in the same issue of PNAS,
George M. Martin, of the Departments of Pathology and
Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, called the
study “a technical tour de force,” in part because of its use of
advanced techniques including “a battery of powerful molecular
genetic methodologies.”
The researchers studied genetic material from 40 pairs of
identical twins who ranged in age from three to 74 years old.
Their goal was to assess
how environmental
factors sway gene
expression. To accur-
ately assess this, the
research team measured
the amount of DNA
methylation. In a third
of the pairs of twins,
they found appreciable
differences between the
chemical modification
of DNA and its
Adelle LaBrec 47
accompanying histones in the individual twins. The older the

twins were, the more extensive the differences. In more than 60
percent of twin pairs aged 28 and older, the team found significant
dissimilarities in the chemical modification of DNA. These
epigenetic variations can have considerable consequences on
genetic expression, and, therefore, on the health and wellness
status of each half of the twinned pairs.
The Epigenetic Drift

The researchers found that differences in gene expression for
older twin pairs was approximately four times greater than for
younger pairs. They termed this age-related divergence “epigenetic
drift.” Although the term “drift” seems to imply a gentle, benign
movement, in fact epigenetic drift may be a warning sign of
impending health problems. Drift too far, and you may end up
crashing into a serious health obstacle that your genetic doppel-
ganger was able to completely avoid. In other words, epigenetic
drift explains in part why one twin in an identical pair may develop
serious, life-threatening diabetes while the other goes completely
unscathed.
Here is a case that demonstrates exactly how this works in
real life. Mario Fraga’s team identified a chemical change in one
twin that had activated a gene associated with diabetes. While
that twin had indeed developed diabetes, his twin had not.
Although the two had identical DNA structures, in the second
twin the change had never been triggered, the gene remained
inactive, and the twin remained completely healthy.. “We are now
mapping twins with different penetrance for a particular disease,
such as diabetes or autoimmune disease,” said Manel Estreller,
also of the Spanish National Cancer Centre. “By comparing the
epigenomes of both twins, we can isolate genes that contribute to
the development of these diseases.”

Importantly, the researchers saw an association between the
degree of epigenetic drift and the extent to which environmental
factors such as lifestyle choices varied. Even more interestingly,
there was a correlation between the degree of drift and the
amount of time the twins spent together. The more time the
twins spent apart, the more their patterns of gene activation
varied.
According to Trygve Tollefsbol, Ph.D., professor of Epigenetics
and Gene Regulation in Cancer and Aging at the University of
Alabama, studies like these also show that “epigenetic expression
of many genes changes each year.” Tollefsbol says that “the
reason for that is the interaction between epigenetics and the
environment.”
Where Nature Meets Nurture

Scientist Frances Champagne of Columbia University is also
fascinated by the interplay between epigenetics and environment.
“As you walk through life, as you have your unique experiences
through that lifespan, your epigenetic changes are mirroring
those experiences,” said Champagne. For one of her studies, she
focused on whether early childhood conditions can predict coping
skills in adults. Champagne found that rat pups whose mothers
showed more affection in the first weeks of their lives were far
better at coping with stress later on. She says similar patterns
appear for other species as well. “In primates, there is evidence
that abuse leaves lasting epigenetic changes,” she says, “even in
human brains.”
Stress seems to be an especially pertinent environmental factor
that can negatively affect health. In fact, stress has been shown to
Adelle LaBrec 49
be associated with up to 90 percent of all conditions that send

people to the doctor’s office, including cardiovascular disease,
gastro-intestinal problems, obesity, diabetes, infections, immune
disorders, and cancer.
Experts believe chronic stress releases substances such as cortisol
and adrenaline and other inflammatory factors that, when present
in excessive amounts over long periods of time, cause health harm.
This negative modification of your internal chemistry affects
epigenetic tagging, and ultimately, which genes get expressed
and which get silenced.
At first, this may seem like very discouraging information.
After all, none of us is able to control our earliest childhood
experiences. And even in our present-day lives, none of us can
entirely eliminate stress, no matter how meticulously we plan.
However, there is a very important silver lining in these findings
about how stress affects our genes, and that is that we can retrain
ourselves to respond to stress in more positive ways.
The fact is that by learning to regulate your response to stress,

you can help yourself to avoid cellular damage. By consciously
activating a positive mental state, you can release “feel good” chem-
icals and neurotransmitters like oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin.
Bathing your cells in this calming cocktail promotes good health
and longevity. When practiced regularly, positive thinking may
even be able to suppress the expression of disease-related genes. As
Dawson Church, PhD, founder of the National Institute for Inte-
grative Healthcare (NIIH), put it: “What you are thinking, feeling,
and believing is changing the genetic expression and chemical
composition of your body on a moment-by-moment basis.”
Change Your Mind, Change Your Genes

In his award-winning book on epigenetics, The Genie in Your
Genes, Dawson Church discusses several studies on the placebo
effect. This remarkable phenomenon is one of the strongest
examples of the impressive power your mind wields over your
physical health, and to understand how it works is to begin to
understand the vast potential of epigenetics to revolutionize your
health and the entire field of medicine.
A placebo is essentially a “fake” treatment with an inactive
substance like sugar, saline solution, or distilled water which has
absolutely no real medicinal properties. Yet, in some cases, the
condition of the patient taking a placebo will improve simply
because the person expects that the treatment will be helpful.
Remember, placebos have absolutely no actual impact on your
health, so when the person experiences improvement, the only
explanation is that their mind is responsible for the change in
their health status. The healing caused by your mind is the
placebo effect, and it’s a very important illustration of how
your belief can change your health.
Adelle LaBrec 51
According to Church, placebos work in about 35 percent of

documented cases. For a drug to be considered effective, it has to
work significantly better than the placebo. It may surprise you to
know, however, that in efficacy testing, fewer drugs than expected
are able to rise to that challenge.
For instance, a recent trial of anti-depressant treatments
compared the effects of three substances: St. John’s Wort (a
popular herbal option); Zoloft (one of the most frequently
prescribed antidepressant medications); and a placebo. At the
conclusion of the trial, St. John’s Wort worked for 24 percent of
the participants who took it. Zoloft performed better, but only
slightly; it worked for 25 percent of the participants. And the star
of the study? The placebo; it worked for a whopping 32 percent
of those who took it.
The results of two large-scale studies of selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a top choice for pharmaceutical
treatment of depression, anxiety, and some personality disorders,
showed equally unimpressive results. Released by the United
States federal government in 2006, the findings from the tests
“failed to show that the drugs were safer or more effective than
a placebo.”
There’s good evidence that reported benefits of many currently
prescribed drugs are actually due to the placebo effect. Dr. Irving
Kristol, PhD, a psychologist at the University of Connecticut,
claims an astronomical percentage of the entire effect of anti-
depressants stems from the placebo effect. After analyzing the
results of drug studies for depression, Dr. Kristol determined that
three-quarters of the improvements patients experience from
drugs like Zoloft and Prozac came from the patient’s belief that
the drugs would be effective, rather than from the effects of the
drugs themselves. As for the remainder, it was hard to tell, since
the drugs produce recognizable physical symptoms (for example,

side effects such as dry mouth) that may alert participants to the
fact that they are taking a “real” drug rather than a placebo, which
may strengthen their belief that the substance would be effective.
Dr. Kristol later conducted a meta-analysis of 47 studies of
antidepressants from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
database, and found that “an average of 80 percent of the effect of
the drugs was due to the placebo effect.” Only 40 percent of the
studies he analyzed showed that the drug had a marginally better
cure rate than the placebo.
These so-called “file drawer studies” are never published or
submitted to the FDA. Drug companies go to great lengths to hide
them, and the reason they do so is hardly surprising. If patients
knew that the real secret behind their improvement wasn’t a
chemical cocktail—one that often entails nasty side effects—but
rather their own mental strength and positive beliefs, the multi-
billion dollar pharmaceutical industry would start losing customers
fast. And that, of course, would threaten the astronomical profits
of one of the most outrageously lucrative markets in the modern
world.
Nonetheless, there is something greater than profit that can
be garnered from the science behind the placebo effect. Enter-
prising researchers are now conducting experiments to determine
how to harness the power of belief. Researchers from the Institute
of HeartMath in Boulder Creek, Colorado, performed a series of
experiments on the effect of intention and emotion on human
DNA. Dr. Rollin McCraty, PhD, led the HeartMath team, which
documented measurable molecular changes to DNA molecules
caused by desires, intentions, and emotions.
“Consciousness, acting through the body, can generate the
Adelle LaBrec 53
molecules required for healing,” the team reported. “Our brains

are themselves generating drugs similar to those that our doctor is
prescribing for us.” Of course, we must consider that many drugs
may be effective only because we ourselves will them to be so.
However, the power of the mind heals with no known side effects.
In that light, it seems fair to say that the “drugs” generated by our
brains are not only similar to the drugs doctors prescribe, but
actually far superior to those drugs.
Techniques to “Turn On” Wellness

One extremely powerful way to use your mind to modify your
gene expression is through meditation. Scientific studies have
indisputably proven that meditation can help to determine which
genes are turned on and which are turned off. One study, led by
Dr. Herbert Benson, president of the Benson-Henry Institute for
Mind/Body Medicine, compared the genes of 19 long-term prac-
titioners of meditation to the genes of 19 non-meditators. Benson
and his team found about 1,000 stress-related genes were turned
off for the meditators, twice as many as for the non-practitioners.
The more stress-related genes that are switched on, the more
likely a person is to experience chronic pain, high blood pressure,
and other serious conditions.
In a later phase of the study, the researchers taught the non-
meditators to meditate in order to track changes to their genetic
status. After they had been meditating for eight weeks, the team
compared the “before and after” gene profile of each participant.
This analysis showed an additional 433 stress-related genes had
been turned off. This is remarkably good news because it shows
that meditation can substantially reshape your genetic expression,
and that it can do so in a very short time. Studies like Dr.
Benson’s could help to explain the numerous reports of
miraculous recoveries
sparked by positive
thinking, meditation,
yoga, and prayer. “It’s not
New Age nonsense,” Dr.
Benson said about these
alternative (and often
ancient) approaches to
tapping in to the power
of mind-body medicine.
For another study on
meditation, Dr. Benson
and colleagues from the
Massachusetts General
Hospital analyzed the
gene profiles of 26 non-
meditators prior to teaching a relaxation routine lasting between
10 and 20 minutes, which included reciting words, breathing
exercises, and tuning out “everyday thoughts” and distractions.
After eight weeks of daily practice, the team once again ana-
lyzed the participants’ gene profiles. The new analysis showed
“clusters of important beneficial genes had become activated and
harmful ones less [activated].” Genes known to boost insulin
production (which stabilizes blood sugar) were turned on, as
were those that minimize age-related ravaging of your DNA. An
especially concerning master gene, NF-kappaB, was also found to
be significantly less active. This means that in just eight weeks,
the volunteers had decreased their risk of high blood pressure,
heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and certain types of
cancer.
Adelle LaBrec 55
Change Your Genes in Just Minutes

One of the most astonishing results from Benson’s research
was just how quickly gene states can change. His team took blood
immediately before and again immediately after the participants
performed the technique. These samples showed meditation
changed the subjects’ genes within minutes. “It seems fitting that
you should see these responses after just 15 to 20 minutes,” said
Julie Brefcyznski-Lewis of West Virginia University in Morgantown,
an expert on the physiological effects of meditation techniques.
“Short periods of stress elevate stress hormones and other physio-
logical effects that are harmful in the long term,” Brefcyznski-
Lewis said, “so it makes sense that the benefits of meditation
could appear just as quickly.”
How Moving Your Body Changes Your Cells

Along with meditation, exercise is one of the behaviors known
to alter the expression of our genes. In an article for The Atlantic,
Dr. Alice G. Walton, PhD, health journalist, and editor at The
Doctor Will See You Now, discusses a study done with mice that
showed how exercise affects cell differentiation. “When mice
ran on a treadmill for as little as an hour three times a week, the
exercise induced these stem cells to become blood-producing cells
of the bone marrow, rather than fat cells,” Dr. Walton writes.
Conversely, the stem cells of the sedentary mice were likely to
become fat cells. Study author Gianni Parise says: “Some of the
impact of exercise is comparable to what we see with pharma-
ceutical intervention. Exercise has the ability to impact stem cell
biology. It has the ability to influence how [cells] differentiate.”
Dr. Parise’s work patently proved that exercise influences how
stem cells develop into mature cells. Since exercise has that
capacity, it’s also quite possible it could transform our genetic

risks for certain diseases. With more research, scientists may soon
be able to map the molecular changes caused by physical exercise.
But even before that happens, we have every reason to believe,
and act on, the theory that exercise can transform our genetic
expression and protect our long-term health.
A Possible Key to Longer Life

Already, current evidence indicates that altering your epigenetic
markers for the better can not only improve your health, but also
extend your lifespan. Trygve Tollesfsbol, PhD, professor of
Epigenetics and Gene Regulation in Cancer and Aging at the
University of Alabama, specifically studies the epigenetics of
telomeres and the enzymatic activator telomerase. Dr. Tollesfsbol’s
lab at the University of Alabama has been studying telomerase
and telomeres for over a decade, and is on the forefront of the
booming field of epigenetics.
The telomere is one of the most captivating structures in all of
biology. These repetitive sections of DNA—located at the end of
each chromosome—explain one of the great puzzles of mam-
malian cell division. Telomeres are known to be intricately linked
to aging and death. That’s because of the way cell division affects
telomeres. Cell division is a process that’s happening in our bodies
all of the time, and it results in the loss of a small portion of the
end of each DNA strand. If those portions contained crucial
genetic information, much of that information would be destroyed
as well. Telomeres are essentially protective “caps” at the end of
DNA strands that protect the DNA itself from being damaged as
cells divide. They are composed of expendable DNA (that is, non-
essential DNA) that takes the brunt of the effect of cell division,
so that the cells near the end of the strand are able to retain their
Adelle LaBrec 57
integrity. In other words, telomeres protect DNA strands from

losing critical encoded genetic information as we age.
However, the protective capacities of telomeres are not
immortal. Telomeres lose part of their length with each cell
division. Dr. Tollesfsbol explains: “The gene for the enzyme that
maintains the telomeres, referred to as telomerase, is actually
inactivated before we are born, which causes the telomeres to
get shorter and shorter with each cell division.” When telomeres
become too short to protect the DNA strand, cells begin to self-
destruct or fall dormant. This is what scientists mean when they
refer to the “cellular damage” that we are accustomed to thinking
about as an inevitable part of aging. And in many cases, it is this
cellular damage that opens the door to developing diseases and
serious illnesses.
Many researchers, Dr. Tollefsbol included, believe that
reactivating the gene that maintains telomeres could be a
promising way to increase people’s lifespans. A paper published
Telomeres
in Nature in 2010 claims that when researchers were able to

continually express telomerase in mice, the mice lived longer and
had fewer diseases. While Dr. Tollefsbol sees a bright future for
human trials, there is a possible, frightening downside.
“Cancer calls are addicted to telomerase,” Dr. Tollefsbol says.
In fact, cancer cells have their own means of epigenetically turning
on telomerase, which “they need in order to maintain telomeres
and keep proliferating.” With the ability to constantly regenerate
telomeres, the cancer cells are virtually immune to destruction;
they effectively become immortal.
“Just like in Star Wars, telomeres have a light side and a dark
side,” Dr. Tollefsbol explains. “There is a fine balance, because if
we turn on telomerase in people and lengthen their telomeres, we
could find out that they’re getting a lot more cancers.” He remains
hopeful, however, that scientists can ultimately find a way to use
telomerase to enhance longevity without increasing a person’s
cancer risk.
Adelle LaBrec 59
Chapter Six:
The Cancer Connection
“Epigenetics does not get much hotter

than it is right now. And probably the
biggest area is cancer research.”
–Trygve Tollefsbol, PhD, professor of Epigenetics
and Gene Regulation in Cancer and Aging
at the University of Alabama
I t is only in the last decade that scientists have begun to fathom

the integral place of epigenes in the cancer equation. Until the
turn of the millennium, the leading theory within the scientific
community held that cancer was caused by abnormalities within
the genes themselves. Epigenetic experimentation like that done
by Trygve Tollefsboll has effectively upended that theory. “Research
has shown that genes can undergo key epigenetic changes so that
we become more predisposed to developing cancer,” explains Dr.
Tollefsbol. In fact, the activation of a single gene—p53—appears
to be a factor in the development of “at least 50 percent of
cancers.”
Viewing the genome has revealed many surprising links

between epigenetic processes and the causation and progression
of cancer. In a 2011 article in Nature Reviews Cancer, Stephen B.
Baylin and Peter A. Jones write: “Next-generation sequencing is
providing a window for visualizing the human epigenome and
how it is altered in cancer.” According to Baylin and Jones,
epigenetic alterations could be used to develop specific markers
for cancer detection, as well as diagnosis and prognosis. If that’s
true, epigenetic therapies hold the potential not only to treat
cancer, but also to predict the risks of having it develop in an
individual, so that interventions could be undertaken to prevent
it from evolving.
Epigenetics and Genetics:

Accomplices in Cancer Development
Contrary to the way we usually think about it, cancer isn’t
actually a single disease. Rather, “cancer” is actually an umbrella
term that encompasses approximately 200 different diseases, all of
which share a few essential commonalities. However, all cancers
are caused by genetic mutations that lead to abnormal cell behavior,
such as out of control growth of particular cells, the destruction of
other, surrounding cells, and unnaturally long cellular life cycles.
This is part of the reason that it’s so challenging to kill cancer cells.
Two types of genes are involved in the development of cancer:
oncogenes (mutated genes that have become cancerous) and anti-
oncogenes (tumor suppressors). Typically, anti-oncogenes prevent
cells from becoming cancerous. When anti-oncogenes mutate,
however, this tumor-suppressing function is compromised or shut
off entirely, which creates the conditions for unrestrained growth
of oncogenes.
Adelle LaBrec 61
Errors that impair the function of oncogenes and anti-

oncogenes can be caused either by faults in the genetic code or
by a flawed set of epigenetic instructions. Both failings—sepa-
rately or jointly—result in loss of control over cell growth, which
ultimately leads to cancer. Scientists say that emerging research
on epigenetics has shifted the paradigm. Now, the biology of
cancer must be viewed through the lens of both genomics and
epigenetics.
Sibaji Sarkar, PhD, adjunct instructor of medicine at Boston
University School of Medicine (BUSM), believes that epigenetics—
and DNA methylation specifically—can explain the formation of
cancer cells. Dr. Sarkar and colleagues from the Boston University
Cancer Center specifically investigated the origination of
progenitor cells.
Progenitor cells are quite similar to stem cells. In fact, the
terms are sometimes used interchangeably. The exact definitions
of the two types of cells are still being debated. What stem cells
and progenitor cells have in common is that both differentiate
into different kinds of “target” cells. One key distinction is that
stem cells can replicate infinitely because they are, as yet, undif-
ferentiated. An undifferentiated cell is one that has not yet been
“slotted” into becoming a particular kind of cell (a liver cell, for
instance, or a brain cell). Progenitor cells, on the other hand,
can only replicate a limited number of times. (If you imagine a
spectrum of cells stretching from stem cells to fully specialized
cells, progenitor cells lie somewhere in between.)
In an article published in the February 2013 issue of Epigen-
omics, the researchers from BUSM proposed an intriguing theory
of how cancer cells grow in an uninhibited fashion. The DNA
methylation, these researches theorized, may trigger the formation
of progenitor cancer cells. The team found an enzyme known to
support high levels of methylation in the tumor suppressor genes

of cancer cells. Highly methylated genes are essentially “silenced.”
With the suppressor cells silenced, the cancer cells can grow
without limits. This could also help clarify why sometimes,
despite having identical genetic blueprints, only one twin will
develop cancer.
Can Cancer Cells Be Reprogrammed?

Another forerunner in epigenetics science is Jean-Pierre Issa,
director of the Fels Institute for Cancer Research and professor of
molecular biology at Temple University in Philadelphia. Dr. Issa
believes that epigenetics shines a light into the murky areas
between your genes and your health. “Genes are not strictly our
destiny,” Dr. Issa says. “Taking care of our epigenome may lead to
longer, healthier lives.” Dr. Issa is specifically interested in how
epigenetics can give rise to superior cancer treatments.
Along with an impressive group of collaborators, Dr. Issa
compared lung tissue from a lung cancer patient to healthy lung
tissue, and found distinctly different epigenetic markers on the
two. With further investigation, Dr. Issa and his team believe this
discovery could lead to treatments that can “reprogram” cancer
cells by reconfiguring epigenetic markers.
Assuming that such a treatment is successfully formulated,
doctors could extend the lives of cancer patients by reshuffling the
epigenome. This option would be preferable to current methods
such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, all of which have
risks and side effects that are often severe and debilitating. “I like
to tell people that these are like bookmarks, and if we simply
reconfigure the bookmarks, then there is a very different instruc-
tion program,” Dr. Issa says.
Adelle LaBrec 63
Cancer Cells Stopped Growing and Disappeared

Dr. Issa and other
researchers from
Temple have already
conducted some very
promising trials with
lung cancer patients.
Using epigenetically
active drugs, they were
able to erase the
epigenetic signature of
cancer. After being dosed with the epigenetic drugs, the cancerous
cells not only stopped growing, but also either reverted to normal
behavior or simply died. Slowly, the patients’ cancers disappeared
from their bodies. Issa and his colleagues have used this technique
to successfully treat hundreds of patients.
“This is different from the war on cancer,” says Issa, “this is
diplomacy on cancer.” Rather than attacking the cancer cells, the
epigenetic drugs change their instruction program. Epigenetic
changes can be passed on during cell division. However, once
they are erased, they do not return. Because of this trait, epigenetic
drugs can stop a cancer without killing its cells. In essence, as Issa
puts it, these treatments “remind” the cells of how they should
behave.
The FDA has approved four of these “persuasive” drugs, and
an estimated 100,000 people already take them. As the under-
standing that cancer is as much—if not more—epigenetic than
genetic becomes more mainstream, more doctors will be convinced
that epigenetic therapies can achieve real results. “We have proof
of principle,” says Dr. Issa. “Many patients are alive today who
would not be alive were it not for these drugs. Ten years from
now, we’ll know a lot more.” Dr. Issa hopes that perhaps one day,
epigenetic treatments could even be routinely used to cure cancer.
The head of the epigenetics research group at GlaxoSmithKline
(one of the world’s largest drug companies), Dash Dhanak, is
striving to develop a substance that is capable of inhibiting the
activity of an enzyme called EZH2. An overactive EZH2 enzyme
has been linked to many lymphomas—cancers of the immune
system. This overactivity raises methylation levels in surrounding
genes, including tumor-suppressor genes. As mentioned earlier,
genes with high levels of methylation are silenced, or “turned off.”
When Dr. Dhanak and his colleagues at GlaxoSmithKline
treated lymphoma cells with a novel kind of inhibitor, they were
able to dramatically decrease methylation levels. They found that
the inhibitor, currently named GSK2816126, could also reduce
the proliferation of tumor cells. Crucially, it appeared to have no
effect on healthy cells nearby.
James Bradner, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boson,
developed an alternate kind of inhibitor called JQ1. He and a
group of scientists used JQ1 to block the activity of the Myc gene.
The Myc gene encodes a transcription factor involved in the
expression of about 15 percent of human genes. Unsurprisingly,
errors involving this transcription factor are one of the most
common causes of cancer.
Recent studies show that epigenetic drug treatments not only
treat cancer, but also reduce the chance of relapse. Specifically,
treatments focused on progenitors (like the work of Sibaji Sarkar)
have lasting results. “Progenitors are known to cause cancer
relapse,” says Sarkar, “and because epigenetic drugs can help
destroy progenitor cells, these drugs could help reduce the chance
of cancer relapse and improve the long-term outcomes of people
Adelle LaBrec 65
with cancer.” These ideas, based solely on current knowledge,

inspire Dr. Sarkar. He describes the future of epigenetic cancer
treatments as “important and exciting.”
Why the Health Revolution Will Begin in

Your Home (And How One Woman
Cured Cancer Using Only Her Mind)
While laboratory-manufactured epigenetic treatments may be
able to achieve wonders, some find a different aspect of epigenetics
to be far more exciting. Researchers like Trygve Tollefsbol believe
the true health revolution will come from “the simple-but-powerful
epigenetic changes people can accomplish in their own home.”
In The Genie in Your Genes, Dawson Church shares the story
of a woman who cured her terminal cancer using only her mind.
In 1972, Nancy was diagnosed with metastasized Stage IV uterine
cancer. Despite the fact that her diagnosis was essentially a death
sentence, she chose to reject conventional medical treatment.
When asked about this unusual choice, Nancy says: “My body
created this condition, so it has the power to un-create it too.”
To facilitate the “un-creation” process, Nancy quit her job,
exercised whenever she had the physical energy to do so, and
spent hours soaking in the bath. While she soaked, she used a
specific visualization to fight the cancer. Church explains that
Nancy imagined that “tiny stars were coursing through her body.
Whenever the sharp edge of a star touched a cancer cell, she
imagined it puncturing the cell, and the cancer cell deflating like a
balloon.” Finally, she imagined the bathwater rinsing away the
remains of the cancer cells. She didn’t think about dying. Instead,
she focused on eating a healthy diet, walking, enjoying her baths,
and the healing power of the “stars” traveling through her body.
Given the late stage of her cancer, most doctors would have
predicted that Nancy would die. However, something miraculous
began to happen in Nancy’s life. She started feeling stronger. She
found that she could walk further. And she began to picture what
her life might look like, years in the future. Three months after
her initial diagnosis, she felt “a firm inner conviction” that her
body was completely free of cancer, so she scheduled an appoint-
ment with her doctors. To their complete surprise, the tests
confirmed what Nancy had already sensed—her cancer was gone.
Hard science backs Nancy’s story. Dr. Dean Ornish and a
team from the Preventative Medicine Research Institute have
documented how meditation changes cancer genes. The team
studied how meditation and other practices affected the health of
men with early-stage prostate cancer. Testing revealed changes in
over 500 genes; most critically, RAS, a gene set known to promote
cancer, and the Selectin E gene, which causes inflammation and
is strongly associated with breast cancer, were both turned off.
SFRP, a gene that fights tumor formation, was turned on, indi-
cating that meditation was fortifying the men’s bodies to battle
the disease.
Future studies may yield information that patients can use to
tailor their diets and lifestyle habits to reduce their susceptibility
to illnesses such as cancer. “We think that environmental and
lifestyle factors are probably the most interesting thing about
epigenetics,” says Dr. Tollefsbol. “Life affects epigenetics.”
Adelle LaBrec 67
Chapter Seven:
DNA and Hypercommunication:
Rewrite Your Genetic Code
“All ideas that we fix upon the

mind become a reality.”
— Dr. Emile Coué, 20th century French psychologist,
pharmacist and originator of “conscious autosuggestion”
O ver two decades ago, Russian scientists ventured into DNA

territory that Western researchers still, unfortunately,
dismiss as spurious and unworthy of serious investigation.
Conventional scientific inquiries have dealt primarily with the 10
percent of our DNA that is responsible for protein building, and
have largely ignored the rest. Refusing to believe that the vast
majority of DNA held no research value, the innovative Russian
team set out to learn more about the remaining 90 percent of the
human genetic code.
This unconventional team, led by biophysicist and molecular
biologist Dr. Pjotr Garajev, paired linguists and geneticists in the

trailblazing effort. By testing the impact of vibration and language
on DNA, they made a completely unexpected discovery: our
genetic code uses grammar rules and syntax in a way that closely
mirrors human language. Not only does DNA construct human
bodies, but it also stores data and serves as a means of communi-
cation—especially in the “useless” 90 percent of our genetic code.
The researchers compared the rules of syntax (how words are
formed into phrases and sentences), semantics (the meaning in
language forms), and basic grammar to the composition of our
DNA. They found that the structuring of DNA-alkaline pairs
follows a regular grammar and has set rules, giving rise to
speculation that all languages past and present may simply be
verbalizations of our DNA. Even more astoundingly, the team
was able to use spoken words and phrase to change and rearrange
living human DNA.
“Magic” Words and Phrases

Can Rewrite the Genetic Code
The key to using language to change DNA, according to Dr.
Garajev and his colleagues, is determining the right frequency. By
modulating sound and light frequencies onto a laser-like ray, the
Russians influenced cellular metabolism and altered the genetic
material itself. Since DNA-alkaline pairs and language share
related structures, no decoding is necessary—spoken words and
sentences can change living DNA.
The ongoing experiments of Dr. Garajev and his team highlight
the immense power of wave genetics, the study of the interaction
between electromagnetic waves and DNA. Their work has been
so fundamental to the discipline that some call Dr. Garajev “the
Adelle LaBrec 69
father of wave genetics.” By untangling the biological under-

pinnings of the vibrational behavior of DNA, the Russian team
laid the groundwork for further probing of the capabilities of our
genetic code. One key discovery was that our DNA could produce
miniature, magnetized wormholes.
By creating invisible, structured patterns in the vacuum energy
of space our DNA forms microscopic equivalents of the Einstein-
Rosen bridges left by burned-out stars. Einstein-Rosen bridges—
found near black holes—are tunnels that connect far-off areas of
the universe. Essentially, the bridges are portals that transmit
information, and it seems that the miniature versions function in
the same manner.
When Dr. Garajev and his laboratory cohorts placed a DNA
sample in a small black box, then irradiated the box with laser light,
a wave pattern formed on the monitor. That wave pattern indicated
the presence of DNA in the box. Before the DNA sample was
introduced, the monitor connected to the box had displayed a
random scattering of dots. However, after the team removed the
DNA sample, the wave pattern remained on the monitor.
Further controlled experiments revealed that the reason
the pattern remained stable after the removal of the DNA was
because the energy field of the sample was still present. This
phenomenon is now called the DNA Phantom Effect. Even after
the DNA is no longer physically present in the box, the monitor
can still detect its information, thanks to the conductive powers
of the micro-wormhole produced by its removal.
As is all too typical with work of this kind, the media was
quick to slander the results as “pseudoscience,” “New Age
mumbo jumbo,” and so on. A related breakthrough by Nobel
laureate Luc Montagnier met a similar fate.
Dr. Montagnier, co-recipient of the Nobel Prize for medicine

in 2008, went on to uncover further proof of the immense
influence of wave genetics on the formation of organisms. He
discovered that DNA has the capacity to send “electromagnetic
imprints” of itself into distant cells and fluids, imprints which
can then be used to create copies of the original DNA. Dr. Jeff
Reimers, a theoretical chemist, speaks of Dr. Montagnier’s work
with great excitement. ““If the results are correct,” he says, “these
would be the most significant experiments performed in the past
90 years, demanding re-evaluation of the whole conceptual
framework of modern chemistry.”
Unfortunately, the popular press and so-called internet
experts misrepresented Dr. Montagnier’s claims as evidence of
“teleportation” or “magic.” These characterizations churned up a
cloud of controversy around his serious scientific findings. This is
perhaps not as surprising as it seems, because scientists are often
notoriously reluctant to relinquish commonly accepted beliefs,
even in the face of new research evidence proving that those
beliefs are incorrect.
However, not all fields in the health arena were so quick to
dismiss Dr. Montagnier’s work. One field in which his work is
particularly relevant is homeopathic medicine. Homeopathic
medicine is based on the theoretical principle of “like cures like,”
which essentially means that a substance which causes symptoms
of illness can also cure the same symptoms, if administered in
highly diluted form. For that reason, homeopathy relies on doses
of substances that have undergone sequential dilution, with
vigorous shaking in between each dilution. Skeptics have long
assumed that none of the original molecules of the original
substance could possibly remain after the series of dilutions.
However, Dr. Montagnier’s work on DNA’s ability to create
Adelle LaBrec 71
electromagnetic imprints, as well as the work of many other

scientists, suggests otherwise. His experiments prove that, in
fact, the structure of the original medicinal substance could well
remain in the homeopathic solution, and be capable of producing
dramatic biological effects.
As may be expected, the reception to Dr. Montagnier’s work
in his native France and throughout the rest of Europe and the
United States has been sheer disbelief. On the other hand, scientists
in China have proved to be more open-minded, and many have
embraced it wholeheartedly. For instance, Jiaotong University in
Shanghai (often called “China’s MIT”) has established an institute
bearing Dr. Montagnier’s name. The team working there has full
leeway to explore the intersections of physics, biology, medicine,
and wave genetics. Dr. Montagnier’s research will be focused
initially on the electromagnetic waves that emanate from various
pathogens. “Not all DNA produces signals we can detect with our
device,” he explains. “The high-intensity signals come from

bacteria and viral DNA.” Dr. Montagnier believes his observations
will lead to new treatment options for many chronic diseases,
including multiple sclerosis, autism, Parkinson’s disease, and
Alzheimer’s disease.
Turning Frogs Into Salamanders—

No Scalpel Needed
By far the most staggering application of wave genetics to
emerge so far comes from the work of Dr. Pjotr Garajev and his
associates. Using vibration and language, this team was able to
capture information patterns from one set of DNA and transmit
it to another. By doing so, they reprogrammed the second set of
cells with the genome of the first set. The most famous example
of this was their successful transformation of frog embryos into
salamander embryos.
This transformation represents an unbelievable—and totally
unparalleled—scientific revolution. Although cloning has been
possible for a number of decades, what this team did was to
essentially clone DNA without lifting a single scalpel or making
one incision. All the information needed to build a salamander
was communicated into the frog embryo without any of the side
effects and disharmonies that accompany the grafting of single
genes. What this means is that cutting and splicing could soon
become relics of the past, just like bloodletting and the
application of leeches.
The Russians’ work also helps to explain why affirmations and
hypnosis have such overpowering effects on people. Our DNA is
inherently programmed to respond to language. Esoteric guides,
spiritual teachers, and hypnotists have been unconsciously tapping
Adelle LaBrec 73
in to this programming for ages. But now, we are beginning to

understand not just how it works, but why.
Trading the “Thought of Illness”

for the “Thought of Cure”
It’s likely that the healing that Dr. Emile Coué, the originator
of “conscious autosuggestion,” was able to effect in countless
people was the result of DNA’s natural tendency to respond to
language. The best-known illustration of his work was the
following sentence, which Dr. Coué taught his patients to repeat
daily: “Tous les jours à tous points de vue je vais de mieux en
mieux.” In English, the sentence translates as, “Every day, in
every way, I’m getting better and better.”
According to Dr. Coué, the autosuggestive nature of this
sentence is what enabled his patients to cure themselves by
replacing the “thought of illness” with the “thought of cure.”
Hundreds of patients in Europe and North America have cured
themselves of a wide variety of disease and ailments just by using
his affirmation.
Dr. Coué began as a disciple of master hypnotist Ambroise-
Aguste Liébault, but in 1910, he broke away from the classical
hypnotism of Liébault’s Nancy School to develop the technique
he christened “conscious autosuggestion.” With this technique,
subjects are taught to use suggestion and imagination for them-
selves. Dr. Coué’s intention was to remedy what he saw as an all-
too-common misconception about hypnosis, which is that under
hypnosis individuals are effectively being controlled by the hyp-
notist. His goal was to help his clients understand that such is not
the case. The client responds to hypnosis not because he has no
control, but because he voluntarily accepts the suggestions being
offered. By handing the power of mind control over to the

subjects themselves, Dr. Coué imbued his patients with the
ability to initiate and guide their own healing process.
Dr. Coué only instructed his students in two autosuggestion
methods: the general and the specific. His general method was
the famous cure-all formula quoted above, “Every day, in every
way, I am getting better and better.” This was to be repeated a
minimum of 20 times each night with the eyes closed, just before
falling into sleep. Dr. Coué recommended using a rosary to
count the repetitions. While there was no maximum number of
repetitions, in his book My Method, he did add the important
caveat: “Say it as many times as you like; only don’t let it become
an obsession.” A special emphasis was to be put on the words “in
every way,” to draw awareness to how the healing process includes
both physical and mental improvement. In addition, broadening
the focus to include virtually every aspect of a patient’s life made
it possible for the phrase to be used by anyone, because it allowed
the subject to feel that it referred to his or her particular circum-
stances, as well as to every goal he or she had in mind.
The specific method, designed to treat a pain or acute symp-
tom of distress, was even simpler. Subjects had only to repeat
“ca passé,” which is French for “it is going.” In My Method, Dr.
Coué advised English-speaking people to stick to the French
version, as the phase was better suited for rapid repetition than
the longer and more awkward English expressions. Subjects were
told to speak as fast as possible, “at the risk of gabbling,” because
in his opinion speed was essential to prevent the intrusion of
negative thoughts that could conflict with the subject’s intentions.
At the same time, they were to rub the affected area. If the
symptom was purely abstract—a thought or feeling, for instance—
they were instructed to pass a hand over the forehead. “All ideas
Adelle LaBrec 75
that we fix upon the mind become a reality,” Dr. Coué writes.
In other words, holding an idea in our minds has the power to
induce us to believe that it is indeed true. So, by verbalizing that
the pain or unwanted thought or feeling was passing, “we thus
actually think it is going…[and] the pain, physical or mental,
vanishes.”
Have You Experienced

Hypercommunication?
“Hypercommunication” is the technical term used to describe
situations wherein a person suddenly accesses information outside
of his or her own personal knowledge base. In common parlance,
the phenomenon of hypercommunication is often described as
intuition. In modern times, instances of intuition or hyper-
communication have become exceedingly rare—but to understand
it can provide us an important glimpse into how we can use
epigenetics in our everyday lives.
For some creatures, like
ants, hypercommunication is
woven into daily existence.
When a queen ant is physically
removed from her colony, her
subjects continue to work and
build according to her
instructions. If she is killed,
however, work halts and the
ants become aimless. It seems
that so long as the queen ant
remains alive, she can use
hypercommunication to
access the group
consciousness of her colony regardless of her proximity.

The research done by wave geneticists on the DNA phantom
effect may hold the key to unlocking our capacity for
hypercommunication. If we were able to consciously activate
and control the micro-wormholes identified by Drs. Garajev,
Montagnier, and others, we could use our DNA to transmit
and receive information. The more people who honed this skill,
and the more participants who joined the network, the more
encompassing the database would become.
All of this is so outside the realm of what most of us think
of as possible that at first, it may just sound like something out
of science fiction. However, examples of individuals who have
mastered the necessary techniques have already emerged.
Successful cases of remote healing and telepathy may not be
isolated, inexplicable miracles, but instead instances of successful
hypercommunication. Dr. Garajev’s research also helps to explain
why not everyone can master esoteric techniques. Clear “com-
munication” with DNA depends on finding the right frequency.
Those who specialize in this science believe that individuals with
more highly attuned inner processes are more able to create a
conscious, effective channel of communication with their DNA.
By increasing your consciousness, you too can achieve results like
Dr. Coué’s students using only your own words and thoughts.
Adelle LaBrec 77
Chapter Eight:
Autosuggestion and Your Genes
“These new discoveries have revolutionary

implications for health and healing.
Psychologist Ernest Rossi begins his
authoritative text The Psychobiology of Gene
Expression with a challenge: ‘Are these to
remain abstract facts safely sequestered in
academic textbooks, or can we take these facts
into the mainstream of human affairs?’”
—Dawson Church
“I was brutishly clubbed on the head in my sleep.” With this

striking sentence, Dr. Ernest L. Rossi, Ph.D., opens his paper
“Gene Expression and Brain Plasticity in Stroke Rehabilitation: A
Personal Memoir of Mind-Body Healing Dreams.” To call an
academic paper “riveting” is rare, but Rossi’s account of how he
used his psychotherapeutic acumen to recover from a stroke
certainly merits that description.

Dr. Rossi begins by vividly retelling the sensations of a stroke
he suffered in the early 2000s. “I felt heavy and unable to move
out of a cramped fetal position in the nightmarish darkness. I
wanted to groan but could not. I did not know whether I was
asleep or awake. But I must have opened one eye at least momentarily
to glance at the dim luminous glow of a clock by my bed that
registered about 2:30 a.m.”
Ironically, a few months before suffering his stroke Rossi, a
preeminent figure in clinical psychobiology, had completed a
book on activity-dependent gene expression, a possible mechanism
for rehabilitation from severe trauma. He would apply the same
concepts that he described in the book to his own recovery. It was
a process he described as “a deepening exploration of the co-
creation between consciousness and nature.” The revised version
of his book, completed after he made a full recovery, presented
practical methods for applying an advanced understanding of the
brain-body connection to self-healing in everyday life. According
to Dr. Rossi, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral experiences
measurably impact on numerous biological functions, including
gene expression, brain plasticity, synaptogenesis, neurogenesis,
and stem cell differentiation and maturation. Contemporary
neuroscience research, says Dr. Rossi, can serve as a blueprint
for naturalistic, self-guided rehabilitation.
The Psychobiology of Gene Expression

In 2002, Rossi’s book entitled The Psychobiology of Gene Expression:
Neuroscience and Neurogenesis in Hypnosis and the Healing Arts was
published. In the book, Dr. Rossi explores the theory, research
and practice of utilizing positive experiences to facilitate brain
growth and healing. He also outlines how alternative and
Adelle LaBrec 79
complementary medicine, psychotherapy, and therapeutic hypnosis

can be used to optimize gene expression. By combining research on
neurogenesis and therapeutic hypnosis, he advances fresh insights
on personal, social, and spiritual development.
In particular, the book highlights how social attitudes and
cultural expectancies can impact gene expression just as much as
pharmaceuticals do. Rossi references a seminal paper by Dr. Eric
Kandel, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology in 2000, titled,
“A New Intellectual Framework for Psychiatry.” In that paper,
Dr. Kandel issued the bold proclamation that all bodily functions
are susceptible to social influences. He also proposed that in the
future, it would be possible to prove that influence. “As the
resolution of brain imaging increases,” he writes, “it should
eventually permit quantitative evaluation.” Stated simply, his
argument is this: “social influences [are] biologically incorporated
into the altered expressions of specific genes in specific nerve cells
of specific regions of the brain.”
By depicting the complexities of the communication pathways
between the mind and the body, Dr. Rossi helps his audience
understand how you can optimize your consciousness. He broadens
and builds on the ideas of Dr. Coué and other early advocates of
hypnosis and autosuggestion. As Rossi stresses, the flow of
information between mind and matter goes in both directions.
Your behavior influences your genes, and your genes influence
your behavior, as well. By controlling the tenor of that conversation,
your mind and body co-create the status of your health and
wellness.
What makes Dr. Rossi’s work so compelling is that he
supports his assertions concerning somewhat fuzzy or nebulous
notions such as free will with firm statistics based on physical
markers such as stem cells. The Psychobiology of Gene Expression
offers new options to

those who feel they’ve
run out of ammunition
in battling all-too-
common issues like
stress. Dr. Rossi takes
a neuro-scientific
approach to abstract
but key concepts such
as novelty, wonder,
life enrichment, and
dreaming. This broad
and encompassing
approach is central to the emerging disciplines of psychosocial
genomics and psychoimmunology, which seek to optimize health
by drawing from a spectrum of resources encompassing every-
thing from arts and culture to hard science to the realm of the
spirit. Dr. Rossi’s work is revolutionary, in part because of an
uncommon background that allows him to see the links between
seemingly disconnected areas.
A Master “Mental Chemist”

From a young age, Dr. Rossi was drawn to the world of
science. When he was seven years old, he used the tips he saved
from his job as a shoeshine boy to buy himself a chemistry set.
Later, he excelled in his high school and undergraduate chemistry
and biology classes, and set out to pursue a master’s degree with a
specialty in pharmacognosy (the study of medicinal plants). While
in pharmacy school, he received a copy of Freud’s The Interpre-
tation of Dreams, which set in motion what Dr. Rossi now recalls
as “an incredible revolution” in his thinking.
Adelle LaBrec 81
“Suddenly, I saw psychology as a kind of mental chemistry,” Rossi

told interviewer Michael Yapko. He was so absorbed in the ideas laid
out in the book that he stayed up for three days straight reading it.
“I was so excited about the idea of mental chemistry that I literally
couldn’t sleep,” he says. In the end, Dr. Rossi was so bowled over by
Freud’s book that he switched disciplines and completed a master’s
degree in psychology. After completing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology
at Temple University in Philadelphia, Dr. Rossi moved to California
and went into practice as a Jungian analyst. A strange twist of fate
connected him with esteemed therapeutic hypnotist Milton H.
Erickson, M.D., with whom he would co-author four books.
After a lifetime of professional and personal twists and turns, Rossi
found a way to draw together the threads of the many different ideas
that had influenced his work on the mind/gene connection. In his
1990 interview with Yapko, he declared: “The average psycho-
therapist is profoundly behind the times. The genius of our age is not
psychotherapy. That genius took place in the 1900s with Freud and
Jung. The genius of our age is the molecular biology of the gene.”
Rossi’s background in biology gave him the capacity to draw
from diverse sources in his psychology work. “The innovative
research in hypnosis is being published by journals in neuro-
science,” he told Yapko. The journals did not describe the
practice as “hypnosis,” he explains, but as “ritualized relaxation,”
or “imagery.” However, the studies they published traced “the
effects of images and emotional states on white blood cells and
molecules, right down to the genetic level.”
For Rossi, the neurological and biological underpinnings of his
chosen discipline have practical as well as theoretical resonance.
The mind/gene connection is not merely something to puzzle over
in the abstract, but something that practicing therapists can use
when conducting treatments. Yapko asked him to contextualize the
importance of the genetic expression of emotions by explaining,

for instance, what his approach could offer in understanding the
behavior of a man who batters his wife. In Dr. Rossi’s opinion, the
mind/gene connection would allow that therapist to address the
root of problem, “that rage that leads to battering.” The act of
battering is what Dr. Rossi calls “a behavioral seizure.” A person in
that state is not acting rationally, but under the direction of state-
dependent memory, learning, and behavior conditioning. “These
behaviors are encoded by information substance-hormones,
flowing from the body as well as from the mind,” explains Dr.
Rossi. In certain states of stress, like the one that would lead the
hypothetical husband to abuse his wife, “ACTH stress hormones
are flowing through his system and are automatically turning on
‘battering behavior.’” Better knowledge of the mind/gene conn-
ection can identify triggers for the ACTH hormones, and resolve
the underlying cause of a problem like battering.
One of the dangers associated with discussion of the mind/
gene connection is oversimplifying the balance of power involved
in that relationship. Tilting too far in either direction leads to
potentially damaging misstatements. In the situation described
above, for example, to say that the husband’s behavior is the result
of stress hormones is not to acquit him of responsibility for his
actions. He is still guilty of failing to control himself. Conversely,
global proclamations such as “the mind can heal the body” can be
equally misleading. To tell a cancer patient something like that
can imply, in a sense, that he or she is sick because of a failure to
properly express emotions, and that the health issue could have
been avoided—or can be easily resolved—by simply learning how
to visualize properly.
Adelle LaBrec 83
We Are All in Kindergarten

Dr. Rossi is very well aware of the possibility for this sort of
oversimplification, and the potential harm and guilt it may arouse
in patients who are ill. What is called for, he believes, is humility.
On the one hand, it is now clear that “there are mind/molecular
associations in cancer, and every other illness and state of health,”
and acknowledging these associations is important. But on the
other hand, these associations are “functioning for the most part
on an unconscious level” that we are “only now beginning to
understand.” In other words, while we can rightly be optimistic of
the potential healing aspects of these associations, we also need to
be mindful that we’re still in the infant stages with respect to our
understanding. As Rossi puts it, “We’re all in kindergarten! We’ve
barely scratched the surface!” The fact that there is still so much
we do not know about the mind-body connection means that we
should avoid the temptation to oversimplify and generalize.
The more we learn about the profound connections between
mind, emotions, body, and molecules, the wider the array of
options we will have to utilize them effectively. In the meantime,
perhaps the best we can do in the present moment is to clear away
our learned limitations and keep an open mind about “how
nature might facilitate itself.”
Hypnosis, Self-Help, and Gene Chips

Rossi first proposed his theories on the links between gene
expression, protein synthesis, and hypnosis in the mid-1970s. Dr.
Rossi’s work is a vital part of a field called “psychosocial genomics,”
the study of how inner psychological events and interactive social
events stimulate gene expression. Applied psychosocial genomics
centers on how the mind-body connection can facilitate
emotional and physical healing.

Although his ideas have not yet been fully embraced by the
majority of practicing therapists, he is slowly but surely gaining
followers. Perhaps one of the most visible of these is Dr. Tim
Brunson, who is a prolific author of self-help audio courses as well
as a member of the International Hypnosis Research Institute. The
Institute is a coalition of integrative health care specialists from
around the world who collaborate to provide information and
educational resources to clinicians. When Brunson attended a course
with Dr. Rossi he was intrigued. While he was somewhat skeptical
about whether Rossi’s ideas would take hold on a broad therapeutic
scale, Brunson also felt that there was a strong scientific case to be
made for the validity of the relationship Rossi was proposing
between “novelty, gene expression, neurogenesis and numinosum.”
The central message that Brunson took away from the course was
that emotional arousal, sparked by fascination or wonder, produces
proteins that affect our physiology and alter our DNA.
Alfred Bellanti, a clinical hypnotherapist, medical herbalist,
and master practitioner of neuro-linguistic programming, was
introduced to Dr. Rossi’s work by an article in the Australian
Journal of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Hypnosis. The article primarily
addressed a 2008 pilot study carried out by Ernest Rossi, Salvatore
Iannotti, Mauro Cozzolino, Stefano Castiglione, Angela Cicatelli
and Kathryn Rossi. The first of its kind, the study used DNA
microarrays to assess the molecular impact of “a top-down creatively
oriented positive human experience” on gene expression. Rossi
and his team invented a psychotherapeutic protocol that combined
hypnosis, psychotherapy, rehabilitation therapy, meditation, and
pastoral counseling, which they call “The Creative Psychosocial
Genomic Healing Experience.”
During the study, DNA microarrays of three human subjects
Adelle LaBrec 85
were performed immediately before, one hour after, and one

day after participation in The Creative Psychosocial Genomic
Healing Experience. Analysis of the white blood cells showed
changes to the expression of 15 early response genes within one
hour of the experience. After 24 hours, those changes had also
initiated a further cascade of changes in 77 genes.
DNA microarrays measure the expression levels of thousands of
genes simultaneously. As one might expect, the science that makes
this technology possible is complex. In a basic sense, microarrays
work by attaching thousands of microscopic samples of DNA to a
solid surface (usually glass or silicon). The resulting coding structure,
often referred to as a “gene chip,” can then be referenced against
existing gene databases. A gene chip can also be compared to the
DNA of the person from whom the sample was drawn, so that
changes in expression levels can be tracked over time. This allows
researchers to observe which genes have been “up-regulated,” or
switched on, and which have been “down-regulated,” or switched off.
Dr. Rossi’s preliminary study indicates that psychotherapeutic
protocols can directly influence whether a gene is up- or down-
regulated. “Until I read this article, I had no idea that such
research had ever taken place,” Dr. Bellanti writes. “I have been
practicing clinical hypnotherapy since 1993, knowing that it
achieved amazing results, but not thoroughly understanding how
those results were achieved.” In Dr. Rossi’s work, Dr. Bellanti
found confirmation of what he had instinctively sensed, “that
changes must take place in the clients’ neurotransmitter levels.”
The (Serious) Science of Magic

Modern technology makes it possible for scientists to quantify
the effects of spiritual, religious, magical, and faith-based methods
of treating physical and mental ailments. Dr. Palpu Pushpangadan,
of the Regional Research Laboratory in Jammu Tawi, India, showed

that magico—religious rites commonly used to treat ailments in
ancient India, and still prevalent in tribal societies, are a scientifically
sound psychological treatment strategy. “Magical incantation and
other religious rites performed to cure the disease unknowingly
affect the mind of the patient,” writes Dr. Pushpangadan. The rites
generate a kind of energy that fuels the patient’s body through the
recovery process. Pushpangadan compares the energy to that
generated by hypnosis, which is perhaps the best-studied modality
of suggestion-based healing.
Documentation of the medical applications of hypnosis allows
us to follow its evolution from early Egypt and Greece, to the
Nancy school and the work of Dr. Coué, to Freud’s theories of
unblocking unconscious conflicts, and to the work of Dr. Rossi
and other contemporary authors. C. Alexander Simpkins, Ph.D.,
and Annellen M. Simpkins, Ph.D., psychologists specializing in
meditation, hypnotherapy, and neuroscience, have written 28
books (several of which are bestsellers) on consciousness tech-
niques viewed through the dual lens of Eastern philosophy and
therapeutic effectiveness.
Through the meticulous use of neuroimaging techniques,
C. Alexander Simpkins and Annellen Simpkins integrate mind-
brain-body connections to improve our understanding of the
clinical process of self-hypnosis. Better understanding of key
concepts like attention and the unconscious can help individuals
overcome resistance to self-hypnosis and sharpen the tools
necessary to successfully practice it.
Adelle LaBrec 87
Chapter Nine:
The Future of Epigenetics
“Creativity is not the sole domain of

the arts. Science is one of the [domains]
where I find creativity all over.”
–Paul L. Harrison
H uman cloning has been a controversial topic since the birth of

Dolly the sheep in 1996. Despite this controversy, the advent of
cloning with respect to humans may be closer than you think. In 2012,
the Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institutet in 2012 awarded the
Nobel Prize in Physiology jointly to Sir John B. Gurdon and Shinya
Yamanaka for “the discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to
become pluripotent.” Before becoming a Nobel laureate, Gurdon, who
almost half a century ago began the research that culminated in winning
the prize, had been nicknamed “The Godfather of Cloning.” This nick-
name, however, is something of a misnomer, because for Gurdon cloning
was an accidental offshoot of his real passion, nuclear reprogramming.
In a series of experiments with frogs that became instant classics,
Dr. Gurdon laid the groundwork that could change the future of
medicine. His work opened doors that could eventually allow

researchers to create one kind of specialized cells (for instance, a
brain cell) from another, more accessible tissue (such as skin). Once
a cell has developed to have a specialized function, it’s said to be a
“mature” cell. Immature stem cells that have not yet specialized are
pluripotent, meaning they are capable of evolving into all of the
types of cells found in the human body. Typically, pluripotent stem
cells exist only in the days immediately following conception. As the
embryo grows, the cells become nerve, muscle, liver, and all other
types of cells.
Scientific tradition held that the route from pluripotent to
specialized cell was unidirectional. Changes that occurred during
maturation were thought to alter cells in ways that made reversal to
a pluripotent stem cell state impossible. In other words, the life of a
cell was essentially a one-way journey from infinite possibility to
increased specialization. At least, that was the reigning scientific
dogma—until Dr. Gurdon’s research came along.
In 1962, Gurdon effectively overturned this conventional thinking
about cellular development. Gurdon began with a simple hypothesis:
that a cell’s genome might retain the information necessary to form all
different cell types even after specializing. The scientific community
was nothing short of shocked when this hypothesis turned out to be
completely correct. Gurdon’s method of proving it was to switch the
immature cell nucleus of a frog egg cell with a nucleus from a mature
intestinal cell from a tadpole. In complete defiance of the expectations
set by established dogma, the egg cell developed into a fully functional
tadpole that was genetically identical to the nucleus donor.
Gurdon hadn’t intended to work in the area of cloning, and as
he said later, in his view the experiment he conducted “had really
nothing to do with cloning.” But that was exactly what he accom-
plished. His paradigm-shifting discovery was heavily scrutinized. The
flurry of research that evolved from it confirmed his findings, and
Adelle LaBrec 89
eventually led to the cloning of mammals, including Dolly, who was

cloned from an udder cell of a mature sheep.
In the simplest terms, Gurdon’s technique involved removing the
nuclei from one (immature) cell, and introducing it into the nuclei of
a mature, already-differentiated cell. It was not until 2006 that a
Japanese scientist named Shinya Yamanaka found a way to reprogram
mature cells into immature stem cells without introducing a separate
nucleus. He and his co-workers injected different combinations of
genes known to keep stem cells immature into fibroblasts—mature
connective tissues cells. Ultimately they hit upon a simple combin-
ation of four genes that could be used to turn fibroblasts into induced
pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). The immense implications of
Yamanaka’s work were recognized immediately upon publication.
As the Nobel committee put it, the “findings [of Gurdon and
Yamanaka] have revolutionized our understanding of how cells and
organisms develop.” Research in recent years has “provided new tools
for scientists around the world and led to remarkable progress in many
areas of medicine.” For instance, in an interview after receiving the
award, Dr. Gurdon stated that clinical trials based on his and Yamanaka’s
work were being used to attempt to restore vision and that success in
being able to do so was drawing “very close.”
Mapping the Epigenome

Considering the epigenetic wonders that have been accomplished
to date, it would be shortsighted for scientists and research institutions
to not delve wholeheartedly into exploring the field. For the most
part, that’s exactly what has been happening. The National Health
Institutes (NIH) awarded a $190 million grant in 2008 to a multi-lab,
nationwide investigation into “how and when epigenetic processes
control genes.” As then-director Dr. Elias Zerhouni says, epigenetics
is now “a central issue in biology.” Though the phrase seems under-
stated, its simplicity and succinctness is actually an indication of how
crucial the field of epigenetics has already become.

One of the first major developments sparked by the NIH grant
came from the San Diego Epigenome Center, an upstart operation
based largely online. Scientists from the center partnered with
colleagues from the Salk Institute, a vast organization located in La
Jolla, California, and founded by the man who discovered the polio
vaccine. The joint effort resulted in an announcement, in October
of 2009, that the team had produced “the first detailed map of the
human epigenome.”
This is not completely accurate, because in reality the scientists
had completed a map of specific portions of the epigenomes of two
types of cells, an embryonic stem cell, and a fibroblast, a more basic
cell. While the feat is still worth fanfare, Joseph R. Ecker, a Salk
biologist who worked on the maps, points out that the human body
is composed of a minimum of 210 different kinds of cells, perhaps
substantially more. Each type of cell will likely have a different
epigenome, and the number of epigenetic marks comprising an
epigenome is so large that Ecker won’t even speculate on the final
total, but it is certainly in the millions. These staggering figures
caused Ecker to comment that in relation to the projected end cost
of documenting the full network of epigenetic markers, the NIH
grant amounted to “peanuts.” To put the final cost estimate into some
sort of perspective, the Human Genome Project, which mapped
approximately 25,000 genes, cost $3 billion.
Cancer research scientists worldwide had been especially vocal
about the potential that could be mined from a complete analysis of
DNA methylation patterns. A partial response to the need for such
an analysis came about in 2003, when the Wellcome Trust Sanger
Institute in the United Kingdom and the biotechnology company
Epigenomics AG in Berlin united to launch the Human Epigenome
Project (HEP).
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The stated aim of HEP is to “identify, catalogue, and interpret

genome-wide DNA methylation patterns of all human genes in all
major tissues.” Spearheaded by immunogeneticist Stephen Beck of
the Sanger Institute and Alexander Olek, CEO of Epigenomics AG,
HEP was conceived as a five-year endeavor to map DNA meth-
ylation sites throughout the human genome. According to Dr. Olek,
HEP would explain “what determines when and where genes are
switched on and off to produce a person. And knowing more about
the human epigenome may provide clues to what goes wrong in
cancer and other diseases.”
Separating Fact from Fantasy

Claims like the one expressed by Olek about the possible benefits
of epigenetics research can sound impossibly lofty. Whether such
benefits do in fact turn out to be impossible remains to be seen. One
thing is certain, however. The field of epigenetics has captured the
imagination of both scientists and the general public around the
world, and has triggered some truly fantastical predictions as well
as a significant degree of negative backlash. In part because of this
exposure, and also because the field is expanding and changing so
rapidly, the line between fact and fiction can easily become blurred.
“It’s our duty as scientists to pass on the right messages,” comments
Edith Heard, head of genetics and developmental biology at the
Institut Curie in Paris. “I don’t want to say that epigenetics isn’t
exciting…[but] there’s a gap between the fact and the fantasy.
Now the facts are having to catch up.”
So far the strong suit of epigeneticists has been generating data,
however, “[we] have not yet been really successful at integrating and
interpreting the data,” says Stephen Beck, of the Department of
Cancer Biology at the UCL Cancer Institute, University College,
London. Both Beck and Heard are members of Epigenesys, an
ambitious research network devoted to “building a bridge between the
fields of epigenetics and systems biology” as well as to awakening

public interest in the topic. “Epigeneticists felt, or feel, very keenly that
to a great extent we’re not actually attacking the problems necessarily,”
Heard says. Beck believes this issue can be resolved by applying a
systems biology approach. Doing so, he says, would help scientists to
look at how different aspects of epigenetic regulation come together.
Rather than focusing exclusively on a single regulatory factor, they will
start looking at “the holistic picture of the cell.”
Geneviéve Almouzni, also of the Institut Curie, is in charge of
coordinating the Epigenesys Network of Excellence. The five-year
initiative (from 2010 to 2015) will use its 12 million euro budget to
further the integration of epigenetics and systems biology. “You
cannot do this kind of science isolated,” Dr. Almouzni says. To the
contrary, the initiative has labs in 14 countries spanning Europe,
where it facilitates unconventional interdisciplinary collaborations
such as those of Paul L. Harrison.
An artist with a background in print, printmaking, and publishing,
Harrison works out of the Visual Research Center (VRC) Print
Publishing facility at the University of Dundee, where he applies
techniques from his visual arts training to the biological sciences.
“Creativity is not the sole domain of the arts,” Harrison says,
“Science is one of the [domains] where I find creativity all over.”
One form of creativity, for instance, is evident in the way he uses
visualization systems to make sense of biological research data and
information. This novel approach shows new ways to understand the
biological functions of human life. Even after the official conclusion
of the initiative, Dr. Almouzni hopes the community it has created
will endure. The odds of that happening seem favorable. Highly
skilled scientists seem eager to take their knowledge of epigenetics
out of the laboratory and do, as Heard puts it, “something useful.”
Adelle LaBrec 93
Chapter Ten:
Epigenetics and Herbs—
Explaining the Inexplicable
“Epigenetics… begins to explain

why one herb, food, or nutrient can
affect so many systems.”
—Bradley R. West, N.D.
E pigenetics seems to encourage innovative collaboration

between forward-thinking individuals from the many branches
of science that study its workings. In much the same way that
epigenetics brings together scientists working in different fields,
it has also done much to break down the long-standing wall
between traditional remedies and cutting-edge medications.
Most, if not all, naturopathic modalities have “an inexplicable
component,” as Bradley R. West, N.D. put it. This is not
problematic for holistic-minded practitioners who accept the idea
that there may be a mystical, spiritual, and unverifiable reason
why a remedy works. But for many more conventional doctors
and scientists, the “inexplicable component” presents a major

hurdle because of the degree to which these disciplines tradi-
tionally insist on the principle of verifiability. West believes
epigenetics can illuminate the clinical evidence behind these
cures, or in other words, provide verification of both how and
why they work, which would give them more credibility in the
eyes of conventional, allopathic-minded health care providers.
A recent study backs up West’s ideas. Published in the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the six-month study
tracked the health of 111 healthy, elderly subjects. The study’s
findings proved that omega-3 supplements (EPA and DHA)
decreased the expression of genes linked to inflammation.
Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the
first consumed 1.8 grams of EPA plus DHA daily; the second
0.4 grams; and the third consumed 4 grams of high-oleic acid
sunflower oil. Analysis of gene expression at the study’s conclu-
sion revealed alterations for 1040 genes related to inflammation
for the first group (who took in the most omega-3s), compared
to 298 for the third group (who took in sunflower oil—one
tablespoon of sunflower oil contains about 4 grams of omega-6s
and only .005 grams of omega-3s.) “Of these genes, 140 were
overlapping between the groups, which resulted in 900 uniquely
changed genes in the EPA plus DHA group,” say the study’s
authors.
Supplementing with omega-3s also decreased the expression
of atherogenic genes, which are known to promote the formation
of fatty plaque and hardening of the arteries. This research helps
to explain why fish oil supplementation has such extremely ben-
eficial results. The “ability of dietary fatty acids, such as EPA and
DHA, has been well established to improve the outcomes of many
disease states… [but] most of the mechanisms have remained
Adelle LaBrec 95
unknown,” West says. “Epigenetics helps close this gap and

begins to explain why one herb, food, or nutrient can affect so
many systems.”
New Assessments of Old Solutions

Recently, leaders from ancient medical traditions—namely
Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)—have begun
exploring the connection between epigenetics and the herbs and
plants that have been key to their healing practices for thousands
of years. So far, studies have demonstrated that the effects of two
staples of Ayurvedic medicine—tulsi and ginger—reach all the
way to the chromatin of cell nuclei. (Tulsi is what Ayurvedic
practitioners call a yogavahi, a category of substances that also
includes shilajit, saffron, honey and ghee.) It seems that both
herbs up-regulate the H3 histone, a key epigenetic player.
“It gets really enthralling when you ponder the deeper ramifi-
cations of this,” commented Prashanti de Jager, a wellness
coach for Organic India.
Not every individual responds to the herbs in the same manner,

and again, epigenetics may help explain why. Jager believes that
there are a number of potential factors behind varying response
levels, including how the herb was grown and processed, the
phenotype of the patient, and interactions between herbs and
other dietary components. “Investigation into what dictates the
direction and magnitude of the response of an individual, [as well
as] the actual and hoped-for molecular targets for the micronutrients
available in herbs are based on both genetic and epigenetic events
and conditioning,” de Jager says. In other words, epigenetics
helps to determine how your body will respond to a certain herb.
In turn, that herb may influence how your body reacts to other
substances. For instance, “long term use of one herb that can
up-regulate histone may change one’s ability to be supported by
that herb, or by another herb, food, or situation,” says de Jager.
When yogavahic substances are taken with other herbs and
supplements, the overall effects are enhanced. This is a phenomenon
referred to as “synergy.” “In the past, I always assumed that this
was simply a function of increases in corresponding enzymatic
metabolic factors,” de Jager says, “but now I will start and inquiry
into how many of these yogavahic medicines are actually epi-
genetic medicines as well.” Analyzing the epigenetic impact of
tulsi and other herbs could give us a more detailed picture of how
the compounds they contain influence various factors, including
rate of absorption, site of action, metabolism, and possible
interactions between different supplements.
Modern pharmacological experiments have also uncovered
that ginseng, an important herbal remedy used in eastern Asia for
thousands of years, has strong epigenetic actions. Ginseng grows
throughout China and Korea, and is highly valued in TCM.
Historically it has been used to treat a range of conditions from
Adelle LaBrec 97
heart palpitations to insomnia to diabetes.

Scientists have identified multiple constituents in ginseng—
in specific, ginsenosides, polysaccharides, peptides, and
polyacetylenic alcohols—giving credibility to its wide variety
of uses. The full spectrum of compounds contained in ginseng
contribute to health in a number of ways, such as strengthening
the immune system, reducing the risk of cancer, calming and
stabilizing the central nervous system, and protecting cognitive
function.
Among the constituents in ginseng, ginsenosides (the active
ingredients responsible for the herb’s beneficial properties) are
especially key. And those properties are impressive, given that the
herb is known to be antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-
stimulant, and anti-apoptotic (able to prevent cellular death).
But beyond the biological science of the herb lies the epigenetic
aspect of how ginseng delivers its benefits, which is where East
meets West in the fight against disease.
Interesting findings are emerging, for instance, from studies
focused on using ginsenosides to address neurological and
neuropsychiatric issues. One team of researchers, for example,
focused on evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of ginseng as
a complementary treatment for schizophrenic patients with
persistent negative symptoms. They found that ginseng works
as an epigenetic transcription modulator. The researchers, based
at the Lawson Health Research Institute of the Department of
Psychology at the University of Western Ontario and at the
Imperial College in London, specifically pinpointed that ginseng
targets the nuclear peroxisome proliferating receptor complex
(PPAR) and contributes to cross-talk with histone and micro-
RNA. Commenting on the significance of the study, they said:
“Our findings highlight the harmonious synergy of ‘Western
Medicine’ and ‘Oriental Medicine’ in optimizing therapy for

the most devastating neuropsychiatric disorder.”
When East Meets West, Everyone Benefits

Recent research on turmeric, a member of the ginger family,
provides a treasure trove of compelling anecdotes about how
epigenetics can verify the efficacy of time-honored herbal
treatments. The dark yellow spice, which you may recognize as
an indispensable curry ingredient, is an abundant source of
curcuminoids, chiefly curcumin. Japanese researchers published
a study in the International Journal of Pharmacology on their
discovery that curcumin inhibits the action of the destructive
MMP-13 enzyme far more effectively than any other tested
substance.
MMP-13 plays a major role in destroying joint cartilage. A
“switched-on” MMP-13 gene is a signature of the epigenetic
change found in people with osteoarthritis in their knees or
hips. David A. Young, Ph.D., one of a group of researchers
from Newcastle University who first connected MMP-13 to
osteoarthritis, says this about the discovery: “As the population
gets older, osteoarthritis
presents increasing social and
economic problems. Our work
provides a better
understanding of the
events that cause cartilage
damage during osteoarthritis.”
Zeroing in on MMP-13
and the epigenetic changes
that increase its activity is a
promising path to eradicating
Adelle LaBrec 99
arthritis pain. Clinical trials show that curcumin, long

recommended by herbalists as an arthritis treatment, is an
effective and safe way to inhibit MMP-13 expression. This, in
turn, means that curcumin now has a strong scientific explanation
for its benefits against arthritis.
While it’s exciting that mainstream science has begun to show
interest in natural treatments, it remains true that many of these
studies on herbs, plants, and extracts routinely conclude by
advising that the substance be considered for drug development.
This is hardly surprising, since drug patents are big business,
generating billions in revenue annually.
A prime example of this is a new “wonder drug” called TA-65.
Geron Corporation and TA Sciences, its manufacturers, claim it
“turns on” the gene that makes telomerase. As discussed in Chapter
Five, telomerase is an enzyme necessary for cell division. Every
time your cells divide, your DNA loses a portion of the telomere
that caps the end of each chromosome. When your telomeres
shrink to a certain point, the cells they are attached to cease to
divide. Many of the unpleasant consequences associated with
aging are the result of shortened telomeres. Telomerase replenishes
telomeres, thereby enabling cells to continue to divide. However,
for most of us, the genes controlling telomere production are
deactivated.
Information posted on the companies’ website states the
following: “TA-65 affects genes related to aging and cell division.
TA-65 turns on the hTERT gene, which activates the enzyme
telomerase which can lengthen your telomeres.” In vitro studies
have shown that the hTERT (human telomerase reverse tran-
scriptase) gene can reactivate telomerase activity.
The kicker in all this “new wonder drug” hype is that TA-65
is “a naturally occurring single molecule found in the ancient

Chinese herb astragalus.” Astragalus, an adaptogen, has been used
by TCM disciples for centuries to protect the body against stress
of all kinds—physical, mental and emotional. Unsurprisingly, T.A.
Sciences developed a “proprietary process” to produce TA-65.
Ultimately, however, there is no evidence that this proprietary
medicinal formulation of TA-65 would impact telomerase
production any differently than a high-quality astragalus
supplement.
Your Daily Dose of Optimal Wellness

A simple and effective strategy for boosting your epigenetic
signals is to incorporate supplements known to promote positive
epigenetic changes into your daily routine. Certain elements are
known to have a profound impact on our epigenomes, especially
those involved in methylation, a fundamental epigenetic process.
It’s crucial that you “provide the building blocks for methylation
in the body—and in the proper balance,” advised Jon Barron,
founder of the Baseline of Health Foundation and author of
Lessons from the Miracle Doctors. Barron, who serves on the
Medical Advisory Board of the prestigious Health Sciences
Institute, points to six specific nutrients known to support
methylation, which are:
• Choline
• Methionine
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin B6
• Folic acid
• Trimethylglycine (TMG)
• SAMe
These nutrients serve as methyl “donors,” and their presence
Adelle LaBrec 101
or absence can rapidly alter gene expression. “Remember,”

Barron says, “turning gene expression off is often as important
to health as letting a trait express itself.”
SAMe, or S-adenosylmethionine, is one of the most important
methylating agents in the body. There are several molecules that
supply methyl groups to DNA, but SAMe is by far the most active
methyl donor. Inadequate levels of this molecule bring the meth-
ylation process to a screeching halt. SAMe is naturally generated
by every living cell, however, that is no guarantee that the requisite
amount will reach your DNA. When a SAMe molecule donates
its methyl group to DNA, it breaks down into homocysteine, a
toxic inflammatory molecule. “SAMe and homocysteine are
essentially two sides of the same coin, or molecule in this case,”
Barron says.
At this point in the methylation process, vitamins B6 and B12,
as well as folic acid and TMG, become crucial. These nutrients
convert homocysteine into glutathione, an important antioxidant,
or recycle it into methionine, which can subsequently be trans-
formed into SAMe. If any of these nutrients are missing, the cycle
will skew or break down altogether. For instance, homocysteine
levels may rise to the point where they outweigh the amount of
SAMe in your system, at which point you begin to suffer from
chronic inflammation or heart disease.
Supplementing with SAMe floods your system with all the
molecule’s benefits, and helps you avoid consequences associated
with excess homocysteine. “For most people, 200 mg of SAMe is
enough,” says Barron. He also recommends choosing a “good for
your genes” supplement mix containing the following amounts of
the methyl building blocks: 50 mg of vitamin B6, 500 mcg of
vitamin B12, 800 mcg of folic acid, and 500 mg of TMG.
Polish Your Epigenome

A healthy immune system is integral to overall health, and to a
healthy epigenome as well. Taking care to provide your body with
health-promoting substances is important, but it’s not the only
thing that counts. To complement a solid supplementation regime
experts advise regular detoxification. Ideally, you should avoid
exposure to toxins. In the course of your daily life, however, you
are likely to find that some encounters are unavoidable. Detoxing
regularly reduces the amount of time the toxins have to negatively
impact the way your genes express themselves.
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What Epigenetics Can Mean for You
“Genes are not controlling the life

of your cells, your mind is.”
–Dr. Bruce H. Lipton
W hat contemporary research on the human genome is clearly

telling us is that the epigenome is involved in every aspect
of our lives, from our DNA to our environment, our relationships,
our social world, and our emotions. Although these insights hold
immeasurable potential and value for our health, as we learn more
and more about the sheer magnitude of the impact of the epi-
genome, it is easy to feel as if our lives truly are controlled—and
our fates sealed—by epigenetics.
Dr. Bruce Lipton offers some welcome words for those feeling
overwhelmed by the implications of epigenetics. He emphasizes
the importance of understanding the difference between epigenetics
and genetic determinism.
“The difference between these two is significant because this
fundamental belief called genetic determinism literally means that
our lives, which are defined as our physical, physiological and

emotional behavioral traits, are controlled by the genetic code,”
Lipton told an interviewer from Superconsciousness. This view
turns us into victims, at the mercy of our genetics. “If genes
control our life function, then our lives are being controlled by
things outside of our ability to change,” says Dr. Lipton.
Laboratory evidence, however, disproves this helpless stance.
We regularly influence our own health and wellbeing—whether
we intend to or not. Understanding epigenetics can give us a
greater consciousness about the impact of even seemingly
inconsequential, or intangible, aspects such as our moods.
Scientists at the Institute of HeartMath, an internationally
recognized nonprofit research and education organization, say
factors such as “the appreciation and love we have for someone
or the anger and anxiety we feel” can alter the outcome of our
genetic blueprint. After two decades of study, they strongly believe
that our daily thoughts, feelings, and intentions are integral to
how our genes express themselves. By intentionally thinking
positive thoughts and focusing on positive emotions, you can
fortify your body to better cope with difficulties like the illness
of a loved one or financial struggles. HeartMath scientists have
quantified the power of positivity, even showing that human
intention can alter physical aspects of DNA.
By retraining your thinking, you can change your body, your
biology, and your life. In other words, changing your mind can
change your cells. Or as Dr. Lipton put it, “Genes are not con-
trolling the life of your cells, your mind is.” But as mentioned
previously, it is not just your own mind that influences how your
genes express themselves. Who and what you surround yourself
with directly affects your health through numerous influences,
Adelle LaBrec 105
including the thoughts and beliefs of others, the philosophies and

ideas you are exposed to, and the cultural and religious environ-
ment that surrounds you.
Cumulatively, all of these influences form your mental land-
scape, altering your perceptions as well as your physiology.
Although this may sound abstract, the outcome is quite concrete.
“You are innately able to heal yourself, unless your perception
says you can’t” Lipton says. “Since perception controls biology,
then whether your think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”
So, perhaps the most important question you can ask yourself
with respect to your health is this: “What do I think?”
Adelle LaBrec 107
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Adelle LaBrec 109
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research.page
Adelle LaBrec 111
INDEX
A anti-inflammatory 97
Abramson, Dr. Beth 33 anti-oncogenes 60-61
Acta Biotheoretica (Journal) 29 ants, hypercommunication and 75
Acta Geneticae Medicae et Gemollogiae anxiety 51, 104

(Journal) 31
anxiety, maternal 32
ACTH stress hormones 82
appearance, physical, in twins 3, 45
acupuncture 38
Aristotle 20
adrenaline 49
arteries, hardening of 93
Aesop’s Fables (Aesopica) 17
asthma 15, 22, 32, 37
aging 40, 56, 57, 59, 90
astragalus herb 100
Agouti mice (see mice, agouti)
Atlantic, The (magazine) 55
alcoholism 36
attitudes 13, 15-16, 79
alcohols 97
allergies, peanut 32 atomic structure 11
Allis, David C. 1, 3 atomic world 11
allopathic health care 94 atoms, carbon 21
Almouzni, Geneviéve 92 atoms, hydrogen 21

Alzheimer’s disease 22, 72 Australian Journal of Clinical
Hypnotherapy and Hypnosis, The 84
American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, the 94 autism 3, 15, 72
anger 15, 104 autoimmune disease 47
antidepressants, placebo effect and 51 autosuggestion 67, 73-74, 77, 79
antioxidant 97, 101 Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents
anti-apoptotic 97 and Children (ALSPAC) 31-32
B BPA 2
bacteria 20, 23, 72 BRCA1 gene 4-5
Baragwaneth Hospital, Soweto, Bradner, James 64
South Africa 36-37
brain, the 2, 27, 48, 53, 78, 79, 86, 88
Barron, Jon 100-101
brain defects 22
Baseline of Health Foundation,
brain plasticity 27, 78
The 100
transgenerational effects and 27
battering behavior 82
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 5
Baylin, Stephen B. 60
Brefcyznski-Lewis, Julie 55
Beck, Stephen 91-92
Brunson, Dr. Tim 84
beliefs 10, 12, 14, 50-52
Burkman, Oliver 17
Bellanti, Alfred 84-85
Bygren, Dr. Lars Olov 28-32, 34-35
biofeedback 38
Biology of Belief, The (Dr. Bruce H. C
Lipton) 10
calories 44
bipolar disorder 15, 22
calorie counting, obsessive 43
black holes 69
cancer, breast 3-4, 66
blood cells, white 81, 85
cancer, lung 62-63
blood pressure, high 53, 54
cancer, uterine 65
blood sugar 54
cardiovascular conditions
body mass index (bmi) 34 (also see heart disease) 41, 49
bodywork 38 cartilage, joint 98
Bohr, Neils 1 Castiglione, Stephano 84
Boston University Cancer Center,
cell nuclei 89, 95
The 61
cells, division of 56-57, 63, 99
Boston University School of
Medicine (BUSM) 61 cells, pluripotent 88-89
Adelle LaBrec 113
cells, progenitor 61, 64 compassion 16

cells, specialized 61, 88 conditioning, behavioral 82, 96
cells, stem 8-10, 55, 61, 78-79, cortisol 26, 49
88-90 counseling, pastoral 84
cells, undifferentiated 61 Cozzolino, Mauro 84
cellular biology 10 Creative Psychosocial Genomic
cellular development, theory about 88 Healing Experience, the (also see
psychotherapeutic protocol) 84-85
cellular information processing
system 10 creativity 87, 92
Centers for Disease Control curcumin 98-99

(CDC), The 41 curcuminoids 98
central nervous system 97
D
Champagne, Frances 7, 26, 48
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,
chemicals 23, 25, 27, 39 The 64
child development, early 48 Darwin, Charles 6, 17-20, 24, 30
choline 25, 100 Davis, Dr. Paul 37
chromatin 23, 95 De Jager, Prashanti 95-96
chromatin modification 23 death 16, 22, 41, 56, 65, 97
chromosomes 8, 23, 34, 56 decision making, health and 40
Church, Dr. Dawson 45, 50-51, Definitive Guide to Cancer, The
66, 77 (Karolyn A. Gazella) 4
Cicatelli, Angela 84 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) 1-4, 8-
cloning 72, 87-89 9, 13, 20-24, 26, 30, 33, 41-42, 46-
47, 52, 54, 56-57, 61, 67-70, 72-73,
cloning, human 87 76, 84-85, 90-91, 99, 101, 103-104
Cloud, John 35 depression 51
cognitive function 97 DHA (see omega-3 and omega-6)
Columbia University 7, 26, 48 Dhanak, Dash 64
diabetes 23, 25-26, 36, 47, 49, 97 Einstein, Albert 12, 69

diesel exhaust 23 Einstein-Rosen bridges 69
diet 10, 14-15, 22, 25-26, 40-41, 43, electromagnetic imprints 70-71
65-66
electromagnetic signals/waves
diet, prenatal 22 12, 68, 71
disease, predisposition towards 3-4,
Eleven-Eleven Wellness Center,
14-15, 25, 42, 59
The 35, 38
DNA (see deoxyribonucleic acid)
embryo 9, 22, 45, 72, 88
DNA, electromagnetic imprints
of 70-71 emotions 10, 12-13, 52, 78, 81-84,
100, 103-104
DNA, energy field of 69 link with genetic expression 13,
DNA microarrays 84-85 52, 78, 81-84
DNA patterns, transmitting energy 10, 11, 65, 69, 86
between organisms 69, 72
environment 12-14, 19, 24, 29-30,
DNA Phantom Effect, the 69, 76 33-35, 39, 46, 48, 103
DNA, vibrational behavior of environmental changes 18
68-69, 72
environmental factors/influences on
“Doctor Will See You Now, The” (Dr.
Alice G. Walton) 5 health 13, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29-30, 35,
42, 46, 48, 66
Dolly the sheep 87, 89
Enzyme EZH2 (see EZH2)
dopamine 50
Enzyme MMP-13 (see MMP-13)
drift, epigenetic (see epigenetic drift)
enzymes 21, 57, 61, 64, 98-99
drugs, efficacy testing of 51
EPA (see omega-3 and omega-6)
drugs, epigenetically active
(“persuasive drugs”) 63 epigenes 7, 9-10, 12-13, 20, 38, 59
Duke University 25 epigenesis 20
Epigenesys Network of Excellence
E (see Epigenesys research network)
Ecker, Joseph R. 90 91-92
eczema 32 epigenetic drift 47-48
Adelle LaBrec 115
epigenetic inheritance 6, 20, 22, fleas, water 19-20

25, 30
folate 25
epigenetic markers 30, 34, 42, 56,
folic acid 22, 25, 100, 101
62, 90
food, processed / junk 15, 40-41, 43
epigenetic tagging 22, 49
influence on metabolic processes
epigenetic transcription modulation 40-41
97
Food and Drug Administration
epigenome(s) 3, 6, 9, 47, 60, 62, (FDA), The 52, 63
89-91, 100-101, 103
forgiveness 16
Epigenomics (Journal) 61
Fraga, Mario 46-47
Epigenomics AG 90-91
frog and salamander experiment 72
Erickson, Milton H. 81
Freud, Sigmund 80-81, 86
European Journal of Human Genetics,
frogs, Gurdon experiments with
The 34
87-89
evolution, theory of 6, 18-19, 30
functional medicine (see medicine,
exercise 14, 15, 27, 37, 39, 55-56 functional)
impact on stem cell biology 55-56
EZH2 enzyme 64 G
Garajev, Dr. Pjotr 68-69, 72, 76
F gastro-intestinal problems 49
fatigue 37
Gazella, Karolyn A. 4-5
fatty acids, dietary 94
gene/mind connection (see
“feast or famine” (see Overkalix mind/gene connection)
research study)
gene activation (see gene
Feig, Dr. Larry 25-27 expression)
Fels Institute for Cancer Research, gene chips 83-85
The 62
gene expression 3, 8, 20, 22-23, 25,
fibroblasts 89-90 40, 46-47, 53, 77-79, 83-84, 94, 101
activity-dependent 78 ginseng 96-97

“Gene Expression and Brain Plasticity ginsenosides 97
in Stroke Rehabilitation: A Personal
ginger 95, 98
Memoir of Mind-Body Healing
Dreams” (Dr. Ernest Rossi) 77 giraffes 18-19
genes (specific) GlaxoSmithKline 64
BRCA1 (see BRAC1 gene) glutathione 101
RAS gene (see RAS)
Selectin E gene (see selectin E) Goi Peace Award, the 10
SFRP gene (see SFRP) Golding, Dr. Jean 31-32, 34-35
Myc gene (see Myc)
p53 gene (see p53) Guardian, The 17
NF-kappaB master gene guilt 43, 82-83
(see NF-kappaB)
Gurdon, Sir John B. 87-89
genes, atherogenic 94
genes, communicating with 38-39, H
68-69 75-76 Harrison, Paul L. 87, 92
genes, faulty 4 healing, remote 76
genes, tumor-suppressing 60, 64 Heard, Edith 91-92
genetic adaptations 18-19 heart attack 5
genetic change, permanent versus heart disease 6, 28, 35, 41-42, 54,
temporary 24 101
genetic determinism 103-104 heart palpitations 97
genetic isolation, concept of 33 histone modification 23
genetic mutation 4-5, 19, 42, 60 histones 23, 47
geneticists, wave 68-72, 76 impact on gene expression of 23
homocysteine 101
Genie in Your Genes, The (Dr. Dawson
Church) 50, 65 honey 95
Geron Corporation, the 99 hormones 23, 26, 40, 55, 82
ghee 95 hormones, regulation of 40
Adelle LaBrec 117
Human Epigenome Project (HEP), insulin 54

the 90-91
integrative medicine (see medicine,
Human Genome Project, the 1-2, 90 integrative)
cost of 90
International Hypnosis Research
human telomerase reverse Institute, The 84
transcriptase (hTERT) 99
International Journal of Pharmacology,
hypercommunication 67, 75-76 The 98
hypnosis 72-73, 79, 81, 83-84, 68 Interpretation of Dreams, The
(Sigmund Freud) 80
I
intuition 75
Iannotti, Salvatore 84
iPS cells (Induced pluripotent
imagery (see hypnosis) stem cells) 89
immune system 64, 97, 102 Issa, Dr. Jean-Pierre 1-2, 62-64
immune-stimulant 97
Imperial College, London 97 J
In Defense of Food (Michael Pollan) 43 Jabonka, Eva 20
in vitro studies 99 Jiaotong University, Shanghai 71
incantations 86 Jirtle, Dr. Randy 25-26
indigestion 37 Jolie, Angelina 3-5
infections 49 Jones, Peter A. 60
inflammation 41, 66, 94, 101 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and
chronic 41, 101 Metabolism, The 26
inhibitors, types Journal of Neuroscience, The 26
GSK2816126 64
JQ1 64 Jung, Carl 81
insomnia 97 Jungian analysis 81

Institut Curie, The 91-92 junk food / processed food (see
food, processed)
Institute of HeartMath, The
52, 104
K Martin, George M. 46
Kandel, Dr. Eric 79 Massachusetts General Hospital 54
Karolinska Institute, The 28, 87 McCraty, Dr. Rollin 52
kittens, white and black 9-10 medicine, Ayurvedic 95
Kristol, Dr. Irving 51-52 medicine, contemporary 35
medicine, functional 38
L
medicine, homeopathic 70-71
Lamarck, Jean-Baptiste 18-20
medicine, integrative 15, 36, 38,
Lancet, The 28 45, 84
language 68, 72-73 medicine, traditional chinese/tcm
Lawson Health Research Institute, 38, 95
The 97 meditation 38, 53-55, 66, 84, 86
Lessons from the Miracle Doctors (Jon memory 26-27, 82
Barron) 100 modification of 26-27
Liébault, Ambroise-Aguste 73 mental state, positive (see thinking,
lifestyle choices (see diet, exercise, positive)
nutrition, relationships) metals, heavy; exposure to 23
light, frequency of 68 methionine 100-101
Lipton, Dr. Bruce H. 10, 12-14, methyl donors 26, 101
103-105
methyl groups 21-22, 24, 26, 101
longevity 15, 29, 50, 58
methylation 21-23, 41-42, 46, 61-
love 104 62, 64, 90-91, 100-101
LTP (long-term potentiation) 27 mice, agouti 25-27
lymphomas 64 mice, experiments with 6, 25-27, 56,
58
M micronutrients 40, 96
magic, the science of 85-86
mind, the 15, 53, 67, 75, 79, 81-83,
magico 86 86
Adelle LaBrec 119
mind/gene connection 81-82 neuropsychiatric disorders (also see

schizophrenia) 97-98
mind and matter, information flow
between 79 neurotransmitters 50, 85
miracles 76 “New Intellectual Framework for
Psychiatry, A” (Dr. Eric Kandel) 79
MIT 27, 71
Newcastle University 98
MMP-13 enzyme 98-99
NF-kappaB master gene 54
modern life, demands of on rate of
epigenetic change 30 NIIH (see National Institute for
Integrative Healthcare)
monozygotic twins (see twins,
identical) Nobel Assembly, the 87
Montagnier, Luc 69-72, 76 Nobel Prize 11, 70, 79, 87
Movassagh, Dr. Mehregan 41-42 Norrbotten, Sweden 28-29
multiple sclerosis 72 nuclear reprogramming 87
Musee National d’Histoire numinosum 84
Naturelle, The 18
nutrigenomics / nutritional
My Method (Dr. Emile Coué) 74 genomics 40
Myc gene 64 nutrition (see diet)
N
National Institute for Integrative O
Healthcare (NIIH), The 45, 50
obesity 14, 23, 25-26, 34, 42, 49
natural selection 17, 24
Olek, Alexander 91
Nature (magazine) 58
omega-3 and omega-6 94
Nature Reviews Cancer (Stephen B.
On the Origin of Species (Charles
Baylin and Peter A. Jones) 60
Darwin) 18
neural transmission 27
oncogenes 60-61
neurogenesis 78-79, 84
Oracle Education Foundation,
neuroimaging 86 The 11
organic chemistry 21 perfection 40

organic food 39 peroxisome proliferating receptor
complex (ppar) 97
Organic India 95
pesticides 23
Ornish, Dr. Dean 66
pharmaceutical industry 52
osteoarthritis 98
pharmacognosy 80
Overkalix, Sweden 29, 31-32,
35, 40 placebo 50-52
“Overkalix connection,” the 31 placebo effect, the 50-52
Overkalix research study 29-32 plaque, fatty 94

Pollan, Michael 43
Oxytocin 50
polyacetylenic alcohols 97
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons 23
P polysaccharides 97
p53 gene 59 post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) 26
pain 16, 39, 53, 74-75, 99
prayer 54
parental experiences, inheritability
of 18, 28 pregnancy 14, 22, 27, 28, 32
Parise, Gianni 55 Preventative Medicine Research
Institute, The 66
Parkinson’s disease 72
Proceedings of the National Academy
Paro, Renato 19 of Sciences (PNAS) 46
particles, elementary 11 protein synthesis 83
particles, sub-atomic 11-12 proteins 21, 23, 84
patents, drug 99 Psychology Today (magazine) 5
perceptions 6, 10-13, 105 Psychobiology of Gene Expression:
Neuroscience and Neurogenesis in
pecking order, social 5
Hypnosis and the Healing Arts, The
peptides 97 (Dr. Ernest Rossi) 78
Adelle LaBrec 121
psychoimmunology, discipline RNA, micro 97

of 80
Rockefeller University 3
psychosocial genomics 80, 83-85
Rossi, Ernest 77-86
psychotherapeutic protocol
Rossi, Kathryn 84
(Dr. Ernest Rossi) 84-85
psychotherapy 79, 81, 84 S
Pushpangadan, Dr. Palpu 85-86 saffron 95
salamander and frog experiment
Q (see frog and salamander)
quanta 10
Salk Institute, The 90
Quantum physics 10-12
SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine)
Quantum Theory, principles of 12 100-101
Quarterly Review of Biology, The 20 San Diego Epigenome Center,
the 90
R sangoma traditional African healer 36
radioactivity 23 Sarkar, Dr. Sabaji 61, 64-65
Rakel, Dr. David 15-16 schizophrenia 97
RAS gene 66 Schroeder, Dr. Steven 15
Raz, Gal 20 Selectin E gene 66
reality 3, 11-12, 66, 75 selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs) 51
Regional Research Laboratory,
Jammu Tawi, India 86 self-healing 16, 78
rehabilitation, self-guided 78 self-hypnosis 86
Reimers, Dr. Jeff 70 serotonin 50-51
relationships 39, 103 sex specificity, research findings
on 35
Revive: Stop Feeling Spent and Start
Living Again (Dr. Bruce Lipman) 35 SFRP gene 66
“ritualized relaxation” 81 shilajit 95
Simpkins, C. Alexander 86 TCM (see medicine, Traditional

Chinese)
Simpkins, Annellen M. 86
sleep 40, 74, 77-78, 81 telepathy 76
smoking 14, 16, 34 telomerase 56-58, 99-100
sound frequencies 68 telomeres 56-58, 99
Spanish National Cancer Center, Temple University 1, 62, 81

Madrid 46-47 thoughts 12-13, 54, 74, 76, 104-105
spinal cord defects 22
Time (magazine) 35
spirit, the 80
TMG (Trimethylglycine) 100-101
St. John’s Wort 51
Tollefsbol, Dr. Trygve 48, 57-59,
St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto 33 65-66
stem cells (see cells, stem) Total Renewal: 7 Key Steps to Resilience,
stress, chronic 49 Vitality, and Long Term Health (Dr.
Bruce Lipman) 35-36
stress hormone (see cortisol)
Traditional Chinese Medicine (see
sub-atomic particles (see particles)
medicine, TCM)
Superconsciousness (magazine) 104
traits, acquired versus inherited
supplements 94, 96, 100 19-24
survival advantage, evolutionary 19 traits, adaptive 19-24
synaptogenesis 78 transcription factor encoding 64
synergy 96-97 transgenerational epigenetic
synthesis, protein (see protein inheritance 20
synthesis)
Tsai, Li-Huei 27
Tufts University 25, 26
T tulsi (herb) 95-96

TA Sciences 99 turmeric 98
TA-65 “wonder drug” 99-100 twins, identical 3-4, 15, 22, 45-48
Adelle LaBrec 123
U W
universe, the 11-12, 69 Waddington, Conrad 20
University College, London 30, Walton, Dr. Alice G. 55
31, 91
Waterland, Robert 25
University of Alabama 48, 56, 59
wave genetics 68-72, 76
University of Bristol 32
Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute,
University of California at San
The 90
Francisco 15
University of Cambridge 41 West, Dr. Bradley 93-95, 97
University of Connecticut 51 West Virginia University 55
University of Dundee 92 World Trade Center 9/11 disaster 26

University of Washington, wormholes 69, 76
Seattle 46 “worried well,” the 37
University of Western Ontario 97
University of Wisconsin 15 Y
University of Witwaterstrand 36 Yamanaka, Shinya 87, 89
up-regulation / down-regulation Yapko, Michael 81
of genes 85-86, 95-96
yoga 38, 54
V yogavahi substances 96
verifiability, principle of 35, 94 Young, David A. 98
viral dna 72
Z
viruses 21
Zerhouni, Dr. Elias 89
vision, improvement in 89
Visual Research Center, the Zoloft 51
(VRC) 92
visualization 65, 92
vitamin B6 100-101
vitamin B12 25, 100-101
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W hat if you could avoid the health
problems of your parents and
grandparents and instead create exactly
the level of ideal health you desire?
The fact is, you can. Most people mistakenly How to
Reprogram
assume that their genes control their eventual
health and wellbeing, but exciting new science disproves
this helpless stance. Your genes tell only part of the
story. The rest is written by epigenetics—alterations
to the way that genetic traits are expressed.
Epigenetics is like a powerful secret in your genes that proves and explains
how much control you have over your health and wellness, no matter the
genetic flaws you inherited. This book holds the answers you need to unlock
the incredible potential of epigenetics for shaping your own health now
and far into the future. Some of what you read may surprise you. For
instance, within these pages you’ll discover:
Your DNA
for
Optimum Health
● How one man used epigenetics ● How prepubescent smokers
to improve not only his health, helped researchers uncover
but also his entire life. the mechanisms of epigenetic
● Why heart disease doesn’t have inheritance.
to be your fate—even if it runs ● Why hypnotism is no hoax.
in your family. ● How you can override your
● How shifting your perceptions genetic code to reduce your
can rewrite your genetic health risks.
readout. ● The promising future of Spontaneous Healing and
epigenetic cancer drugs.
● The major mistake in Charles
Darwin’s theory of evolution ● How one woman cured her
and how it affects your health. cancer using only her mind. through Epigenetics
Adelle LaBrec
● An experiment that turned ● The best supplement regimen

mice yellow—and why you for protecting and rewiring
should care. your genes.
Adelle LaBrec
Think of this book as a user’s guide to epigenetics as explained by top
scientists and doctors, with real-life examples of epigenetics in action
and clear advice on altering your own genetic code in exactly the ways
that will benefit you the most.
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How to Reprogram Your DNA for Optimum Health

W hat if you could avoid the health

● An experiment that turned ● The best supplement regimen

311 N. Robertson Boulevard, Suite 323

Copyright © 2014 by Adelle LaBrec

First Edition 2014

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be

The views expressed in this publication are solely those of

The Cancer Connection .........................................................................59

“We were all brought up to think

T he announcement of the Human Genome Project in 1990,

However, when the Human Genome Project finally concluded

Allis, professor at Rockefeller University in New York, “but the

In an op-ed piece discussing her decision, Jolie writes: “The truth

alter the meaning and

history and science of epigenetics laid out in a clear, straightforward

“When you think of nurture

T he word “epigenetics” literally means “on top of genetics.”

cells—from those making up the nail on your pinky finger to

The Power of the Epigenome

The (Quantum) Physics of

universe and all the creatures living in it.

to them. In other words, there is no one single, unified, and

to a computer chip. If your DNA is your genetic hardware, your

because shifting your thought patterns can rewrite your genetic

Overriding Your Genetic Code

Some researchers also believe that epigenetics may explain

only a small fraction—10 percent—of lives would be saved with

“What if Darwin's theory of natural

Y ou may be familiar with Aesop’s Fables, also known as the

be crested. Early evolutionary scientists set out to answer much

Darwin, Lamarck, and the

Darwin, who was 84 years younger than Lamarck, argued that

raised in predator-free settings, they developed spines as well. All

The “How” of Epigenetics

For this reason, you can imagine that the distribution of

epigenetic inheritance is histone modification. Again, it’s a highly

One of the most pertinent aspects of epigenetics is especially

“Give mothers chemicals, and it can

O ne of the most impressive (and oft-cited) examples of the

to diabetes. The researchers found that the nutrients acted as

memory functioning in an environment filled with toys, exercise

Feasts, Famines, and Future Health

Can Epigenetic Inheritance Be Proven?

journal, Acta Geneticae Medicae et Gemollogiae, accepted his paper.

of an ongoing study, and had recruited 70 percent of all women

“What other things could we be doing

P rior to puberty boys are “genetically isolated.” What we mean

years preceding puberty seem prime for epigenetic change. What

Beyond the Borders of Conventional Medicine

Center in New York.

After his internship, Dr. Lipman spent 18 months in Kwandbele,

Take Control of Your Genetic Program

how they’ll express themselves, so my advice is to bathe them

Perfection is Not Necessary—

Making honest, conscious choices is the best way to recognize

Are You Sending the Right Signals?

Evading America’s #1 Killer