What is one effect of changing lifestyles on human genes?

Changing lifestyles can have a significant impact on human genes through a process known as epigenetics. This area of research has shown that environmental factors, including diet, exercise, stress levels, and lifestyle choices, can modify gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence. These modifications can affect how genes are turned on or off, thereby influencing various biological processes and potentially leading to changes in health, behavior, or susceptibility to diseases.

For example, lifestyle changes such as adopting a healthier diet or increasing physical activity can activate certain genes associated with improved health outcomes, while unhealthy lifestyle choices may repress beneficial gene activity or promote the expression of harmful genes. This dynamic interplay between lifestyle and genetics suggests that while our genes provide a fundamental blueprint, lifestyle factors can modulate their expression in response to the environment, illustrating a more complex relationship than the idea that genes are predetermined or immutable.