Can Your Diet Change Your Genetic Destiny?

How changing your diet could change your genetic destiny. (Photo: Instagram @eyeswoon)

If the thought of yet another fad diet, draws a deep-rooted groan, then perhaps The Gene Therapy Plan, by Manhattan oncologist Mitchell L. Gaynor, M.D. might be just the new lens you need. Unlike your typical regimes like Atkins, Paleo and Grain Brain, Gaynor claims his method isn’t so focused on weight loss as it is on changing your genetic destiny. If the mission sounds sweeping and grand, well, it is.

“I was taught in medical school that if somebody had a strong history of cancer, they were likely to develop cancer,” Gaynor says, adding that his own mother died of breast cancer at 43, spurring both him and his older brother to pursue oncology.  “Or if somebody whose parents were obese, were likely to become obese or was at risk for diabetes,” he adds. “Well, the new science shows that our genes are dynamic. They can be changed and they can be changed throughout our lives.”

Let’s break it down. The innovative field of study, called epigenetics, is focused on how chemicals reactions affect our DNA. The idea, Gaynor says, is that what you eat affects how the chemical reactions in your body and thus affects how your DNA changes over time. There’s already a dark side that has emerged in our society; Gaynor points to the rising infertility problem in the U.S. and attributes it to the endocrine-disrupting pesticides currently in use. Perhaps even more daunting, what we consume and absorb in our lifetimes has permanent effects on our genetics that are then passed onto the next generations.

Mitchell L. Gaynor studies how our diet impacts our genetics over time. (Photo:Paul Hameline)

The galvanizing part of Gaynor’s solution — that is, changing your diet to foods that will benefit your health and genetics — is that you can actively do something about it. Take for example, that eternal nemesis, aging. According to Gaynor, boosting foods and ingredients like extra virgin olive oil (drizzled on raw items or food after it’s been cooked), which contains anti-inflammatory chemicals like squalene, and yucca, which has been proven to help reduce joint pain and swelling, will help counter the aging process. Predictably, there are also foods to avoid. “We have a problem with overcooked foods,” he said, pointing to everything from crunchy crackers to cured meats. “In order to have a long shelf life, they zap those foods with super high heat. It damages the carbs and the fats of the food. Eventually, those chemicals created will bind to things like collagen: it’ll make you wrinkle earlier and damage your ligaments and tendons.”

Properly scared yet? “Getting old is an option,” Gaynor reassures. “I really believe people can live into their 80s and 90s and be vibrant and healthy. It all depends on what they are putting in their bodies.”

The major takeaway from his book, though, is not just isolated ingredients but a new restructuring of the modern diet. He calls it The Rule of One-Thirds: your diet should consist of 1/3 protein, 1/3 carbs and 1/3 healthy fats. Of course, the protein and carb components should be of quality sources and whole grains—processed white flour, refined sugar and the like are his arch enemies. He takes no issue with current calorie-counters, “just make sure that the calories you’re consuming are from the right types of foods.”

And just because you’re changing your genetic destiny, doesn’t mean you have to be monkish about your vittles. Among his top three list of cooking oils and fats to use? Coconut oil, cold-pressed grapeseed oil and…butter! Take a look below for a healthy approach to a time-honored brunch treat.

Chocolate Super Waffles Recipe from The Gene Therapy Plan

Serves 5 or 6

1¼ cups of whole wheat flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cacao powder
1 cup wheat germ
4 tablespoons butter, melted
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons honey
2 cups organic low-fat milk
coconut oil, ghee or butter for waffle iron
organic maple syrup for serving

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and spices. Stir in wheat germ. In a separate bowl, mix together remaining ingredients. Add liquid mixture to flour mixture, and beat or stir until smooth. Cook on a preheated waffle iron lightly greased. Ladle about ½ cup or ¾ cup of batter onto iron and close. Waffle is done cooking when indicator light turns off. Serve with organic maple syrup if desired. Makes 6 waffles.

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