The Mark of Stress
How parents can pass on modified genes to their children
Everyone knows that a pregnant mother’s stress levels can affect her baby, but do you know that the stress levels of both the father and the mother can affect the baby’s health even before it is conceived?
All human beings have a genotype and a phenotype:
Genotype — refers to the set of genes that an individual possesses. 50 percent come from the mother and 50 percent from the father. It is something fixed and unchangeable;
Phenotype — refers to the observable characteristics that result from the expression of these genes and the influence of the environment. It is something that can vary throughout life depending on various factors such as environmental conditions. For example, a person can be born with blonde hair and become dark-haired as an adult, due to changes in the expression of the genes that control hair pigmentation.
It is estimated that our DNA is made up of 20,000 to 25,000 genes [1] and on average each one codes for three proteins.
Despite this large number of genes, not all of them are active, some are dormant and may never be active. The environment we live in, our diet, air pollution, physical exercise, age, and our emotional state, among other factors, can influence which genes are switched on and off by our body. [2]
One of the many factors that can influence the activation/deactivation of genes is stress.
Stress, in small amounts, can:
- Increase our cognitive performance and memory; [3]
- Increase our resilience and ability to cope with adversity. When we face a stressful situation, we can learn and grow from it, as it challenges us to adapt and overcome ourselves; [4]
- Improve our immune system and healing. While chronic stress can suppress our immunity and make us more susceptible to infections and illnesses, acute stress can activate our immune system and prepare us to fight or flee. [5]
However, chronic stress is highly detrimental to health as it can cause various health problems, both physical and psychological, such as:
- High blood pressure, heart disease and strokes. Chronic stress can increase levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can increase blood pressure and heart rate, and affect metabolism and appetite; [6]
- Diabetes. Chronic stress can impair the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes; [7]
- Anxiety, depression and other mental disorders. Chronic stress can alter the structure and functioning of the brain and affect mood, cognition and behavior. Chronic stress can also reduce the production of serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters that regulate happiness and the reward system;
- Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Chronic stress can damage brain cells and accelerate the brain’s aging process. It can also increase inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain, which can contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases;
- Digestive problems such as ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Chronic stress can affect the movement and secretion of the digestive tract and increase the production of gastric acid. Chronic stress can also weaken the immune system and make the body more susceptible to infections and inflammation;
- Headaches, migraines and muscle pain. Chronic stress can cause muscles to tense and contract, which can lead to pain and stiffness in the head, neck, back and other parts of the body;
- Sleep problems and fatigue. Chronic stress can interfere with the quality and quantity of sleep and make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. It can affect the circadian rhythm, which is the body’s natural cycle that regulates sleep and wakefulness;
- Memory and concentration problems. Chronic stress can impair cognitive functions such as memory, attention, learning and decision-making. Chronic stress can also reduce the size of the hippocampus, which is the region of the brain responsible for memory formation and consolidation;
- Weight gain and obesity. Chronic stress can affect metabolism and appetite and cause the body to store more fat, especially in the abdominal area. It can increase cravings for sugary and fatty foods and reduce motivation to exercise. [8]
It’s important to remember that the human brain has the ability to change and transform itself based on the stimuli it receives, in a process known as neuroplasticity. These changes serve to ensure its survival. If a person suffers from chronic stress, the brain interprets this as a sign that the individual lives in a place where survival conditions are difficult. As animals, the ultimate goal is to continue the species. In this way, by interpreting the environment in which the individual lives as stressful, the brain will alter its phenotype, giving rise to all the problems listed above.
Another change that will occur is an alteration in the phenotype of gametes (sperm in men, eggs in women) [9]. The change causes them to carry active stress-reactive genes, something that would not happen if the individuals were not suffering from chronic stress.
This means that individuals suffering from chronic stress suffer a change in the phenotype of their gametes, which significantly increases the likelihood of a potentially anxious, depressed child who will suffer from many of the problems listed above.
Of course, this is something that can be molded throughout a child’s life, but it makes the first few years of life much more challenging, which will have an impact on the individual’s entire life.
That’s why it’s crucial to learn how to manage stress because it not only affects us and those around us but also future generations. There are various ways of dealing with stress, such as physical exercise, relaxation techniques, healthy eating, avoiding alcohol and drugs, seeking social and professional support, and adopting positive habits. These strategies can help reduce stress levels, improve health and well-being, and prevent future illnesses, both our own and those of our descendants.
Bibliography
[1] — https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/A-Brief-Guide-to-Genomics
[2] — https://nutritiongenome.com/what-is-epigenetics/
[3] — https://news.berkeley.edu/2013/04/16/researchers-find-out-why-some-stress-is-good-for-you/
[4] — https://mbl.stanford.edu/stress
[5] — https://www.unicef.org/parenting/mental-health/what-is-stress
[6] — https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323324
[7] — https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/features/10-fixable-stress-related-health-problems
[8] — https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037
If you enjoy reading stories like these and want to support me as a writer, consider signing up as a member of Medium. It costs $5 per month and gives you unlimited access to Medium stories, and you can unsubscribe at any time. I will earn a small commission if you use my link:
Here are some other articles I’ve written that you might like:
