Is your figure determined by fate? Genes and exercise, more than you think!

The senior is going to meet her boyfriend’s family! While we were rejoicing for her, her face showed sorrow and anxiety. We thought she was nervous and cheered her on. Unexpectedly, the senior student's answer was surprising. She said: "I'm worried that I will be disappointed when I see my boyfriend's father. Don't people say that to know what your partner looks like, you can tell by looking at his parents."

The senior student’s words left us speechless, yet they were also very pertinent and hard to refute. Because genetics really play a big part in our appearance, including athletic ability. But, apart from genes, do we have no chance of turning things around? Perhaps the following answers will give you hope.

Before introducing the following information, please allow me to digress. In my previous article "Will you have a good figure just by doing fitness? Don't be happy, you should say thank you to your parents first", I mentioned a concept, which is "Genes are difficult to change, but can be modified quickly". I wonder if readers still remember it? Next, before I explain something as difficult and sleep-inducing as genes, please allow me to make an assumption.

Suppose there is a person who is born with big eyes, yellow skin, small breasts, thick legs and baby fat. Does that mean he or she has no chance of turning things around in this life? First of all, this can be divided into several parts. Big eyes or yellow skin, these external features that can only be changed without plastic surgery, are called "genes"; small breasts, thick legs and baby fat, these adjustable external features are called "epigenes"; and "epigenes" can be changed through continuous chest expansion exercises, hamstring stretching exercises, small face exercises, etc., and these acquired changes are called "epigenetic modifications." Fortunately, long-term "epigenetic modification" can change the "epigene" over time. What are the benefits of the change? There are so many benefits! "Epigenetic modification" changes not only us now, but also our children, and our children's children, and our children's children's children. In short, it's "generations after generation"!

Still a little confused after listening to it? So let’s get straight to the point. How long does it take to achieve “epigenetic modification”? In fact, time passes much faster than you and I imagine! For example, six months of aerobic exercise training can reduce DNA methylation. What is the correlation between "reduced DNA methylation" and exercise? It's a big deal. When methylation decreases, related DNA expressions will increase, and exercise will benefit the human body more.

If six months is too long, shorten it a bit! Studies have shown that 12 weeks (3 months) of resistance training will affect the expression of muscle-specific RNA - "microRNAs", which in turn regulates the mRNA (message RNA) response in the body. If it continues, exercise performance will get better and better.

What, think 12 weeks of resistance training is still too long? Then let’s do a single 60-minute aerobic exercise! Some studies have also pointed out that just a single 60-minute aerobic exercise can modify a protein in the body that is closely related to DNA - "histone". Although it is just a seemingly insignificant histone modification, it still proves the fairness of God. As long as you are willing to work hard, exercise still has an impact that cannot be underestimated!

Finally, there is a proverb that goes: "Don't be afraid of being slow, just be afraid of standing still"! This sentence can also be applied to exercise. Although genetics has created a physique that is prone to obesity, with thick legs and a fat waist, as long as you work hard, not only will your own figure improve, but you can also benefit your descendants!

Conclusion: Moving more is good for your health!

This article comes from: Nutrition and Medical Network

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