Episode Details

The Case:  

• Laura has thyroid issues causing her to feel overweight and her constantly dry skin made her feel like she was aging too fast.  
• She suspected that her issues might be genetic so she did a DNA test which revealed that she had the MTHFR gene. 
• She tried biohacking; taking high doses of B vitamins and a cocktail of other supplements but nothing got her the results she was looking for. 

Investigation
My suspicions were that her various supplements might not be right for her. I also wanted to take a closer look at her diet and lifestyle.
Because I suspected that the answers were going to be found at the intersection of genetics, diet, and lifestyle I knew that Dr. Kara Fitzgerald would be the perfect person to consult with since she is an expert in epigenetics, nutrition, and aging. She is the author of two incredible books, Younger You: Reduce Your Bio Age and Live Longer, Better and  Better Broths & Healing Tonics: 75 Bone Broth and Vegetarian Broth-Based Recipes for Everyone.
Unveiling the Power of Epigenetics
We often associate our health, thyroid function, and immune system with genetics and autoimmunity. However, as Dr. Kara explains, it is not our genes alone that determine our level of health, immune system function, or even our age. Instead, it is our epigenetics that play a significant role. I know there's a lot of confusion surrounding this topic, and in this episode, Dr. Kara shed some light on it.
She explains that in the early 2000s, scientists successfully deciphered the human genome. They discovered that we possess a little over 23,000 genes, and many believed that this knowledge would provide a clear roadmap to understanding and treating diseases. However, the reality turned out to be quite different. In over 90% of cases, genes alone do not determine our health outcomes. For most of us, the key lies in how our genes are being turned on and off—a fascinating field known as epigenetics that we’ve covered before in episode 143.
Unleashing the Potential of Epigenetic Expression 
Epigenetics emerged as a prominent field of study after the completion of the Human Genome Project. It explores the factors that influence gene expression, such as our diet, exposure to toxins, stress levels, social connections, and exercise habits. Simply put, we have the power to determine which genes are activated and which ones remain dormant. Ideally, we want to activate the genes associated with health, longevity, and overall well-being while silencing those that contribute to disease progression.
This realization is particularly empowering for individuals like Laura, who believed that her family history of Hashimoto's meant she was destined to follow the same path. However, epigenetics shows us that we are not bound by our genetic heritage alone. 
Lifestyle and Nutrition: The Epigenetic Keys 
Dr. Kara dives into the exciting realm of lifestyle and nutrition, revealing some of the most significant factors that influence gene expression. Understanding these keys can help us unlock the potential for anti-aging, detoxification, and disease prevention.
1. Diet Program: Dr. Kara shares insights from a groundbreaking study on biological aging, which focused on DNA methylation—a marker of aging and gene expression changes. The study participants followed a specific diet program de