Luck and Genetics

This month, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, our theme is “Lucky You!”. As we discussed this theme, I couldn’t help but ponder the role of luck in our health. 

Over the last 16 years in practice, I’ve heard many of the following comments: 

“I’ve been really lucky, I’ve never had pain before this.”
“I come from a good gene pool, I guess I’m just lucky!”
“We have a ton of these problems run in my family, I’m just unlucky that way.”
“I’ve been dealing with this pain my whole life…lucky me.” 

While there are certainly genetic factors that can play into an overall picture of health, I believe that luck has very little do with it. That is not to say that horrible health issues can certainly happen without explanation. It is simply saying that in the big picture of how you feel and your health trajectory, we have a great deal of control. 

It is important to recognize that from a genetic perspective, our bodies have been largely unchanged since the time of our hunter gatherer ancestors. These early predecessors ate what was available in nature, moved their bodies to complete their daily tasks, slept according to the cycles of light and dark, and experienced stress occasionally in short bursts. We are now living with that genetic model in a situation where we eat more “stuff” than actual food, sit at a desk for most of the day, and under regular stress which also impacts our sleep cycles. It is no wonder that we are chronically sick and in pain. 

The choices we make in our lifestyle can dramatically increase the overall “luck” you have in your health. Here are some easy questions to ask yourself: 

Is the food I’m eating found in nature or made in a factory? Consuming food that was intended for human consumption can have a major impact on health. Simply starting to pay attention to the ingredients in what you’re eating can make a big difference. Have I moved my body today? Humans were meant to be in motion, and it can be considered a nutrient that the body requires. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Getting out and walking or doing sets of air squats at your desk throughout the day can provide the body with the motion it needs. 

Did I get enough sleep last night? Lack of sleep or poor sleep can have a major impact on your health. Scheduling enough sleep and practicing good sleep hygiene like putting screens away 30 minutes before bed and sleeping in a cool environment can impact stress and energy. 

Have I been adjusted? Many people wait to schedule their chiropractic care until they’re in pain, but pain is the body’s last line of communication to let you know that it is in a state of disfunction. Getting regular maintenance care can reduce stress, prevent injury and keep your nervous system functioning optimally. 

This month, I encourage you to look at your daily habits and figure out if you could make some changes that could make you a little more lucky!