Lindsay Lekhraj on how our environment is the key to our genetic expression.

Epigenetics is an expansive field that’s taking the wellness world by storm with unprecedented accuracy and personalized insights, proving the science behind how your body responds to its environment, down to a cellular level.

Ever heard the saying, “The genes load the gun, but the environment pulls the trigger?” Our Genes Respond to our day-to-day choices of food, exercise, sleep, emotions, and so much more. Our environment is literally the key to our genetic expression!

We spoke with Lindsey Lekhraj, a certified epigenetics coach and nutritionist, all about this topic. Lindsey shares insights about how we can heal our health issues through epigenetics, talks about how “sugar genes” is actually what affects our willpower and even sugar addictions, explains how our mental/emotional health is rooted in our chemistry, and shares her top health hacks to help us all support our genetic expressions.

What exactly is a certified epigenetics coach and how did you get started in this industry?

I’ve been through advanced certifications to interpret functional genomics and build highly customized (and most effective) wellness plans based on your DNA. I had been through a few holistic nutrition certifications years prior, but I found the industry to have so much conflicting research and perspective. Learning how to customize an individual’s approach based on their unique biochemistry was the only thing that made sense!

The approach that I use with epigenetics is quite different from the automated at-home tests that just give insights into which genotypes you carry. The science of epigenetics is more about learning how to create positive impacts on those genotypes through lifestyle choices, so it’s quite empowering. Your genes are never a sentence. You can optimize most anything when you understand what you’re working with!

In what ways can we heal our health issues through epigenetics?

Your genes hold countless insights into how your body responds to many stimuli, including diet, exercise, stress, sleep, specific supplements, and more. I often work with clients who have struggled with complexities that never quite made sense until they see their genetic patterns. You can learn how to optimize your entire wellness approach beyond the surface or mainstream trends into only what works for you on a deep, cellular level.

What are your thoughts on MTHFR gene mutations? And how can we support this?

They can be a big deal, but honestly, many people place far too much emphasis on these two genes. The methylation process is incredibly complex and there are so many genes that impact an individual’s actual efficiency. It’s important to look beyond just MTHFR variants before troubleshooting. I see many clients over-correcting here and making things worse if they only have limited insights into their genes. It is true, however, that the majority of the population could use some level of methylation support. Even without knowing your specifics, exercise and sweating are particularly helpful, as well as, for most people, eating cruciferous vegetables regularly, like broccoli and brussels sprouts.

Gut health is a major contributor to most diseases. How can we approach our gut health by learning about our genes?

Learning my own genes literally changed my life by solving my gut health mysteries after many years of dead ends in functional wellness. It wasn’t until I discovered my detailed genetic preferences that I was able to remove my triggers and heal my leaky gut, allowing my entire health to make massive positive improvements. Lots of gut health trends on the market these days can be detrimental to gut health, depending on things like glutamate or histamine sensitivity, which are unbelievably common. There are many markers we see in the genes that impact gut health positively or negatively, and of course, this is where a human consultation is helpful because, especially when it comes to the microbiome, genes are only one part of the puzzle! When I consult with a client, it’s important that we speak in great detail about their lived experience rather than just look at the genes. This is where the automated reports really fall short.

Can you tell us a bit more about sugar genes and how they affect us?

I look at a few different categories when it comes to sugar: propensity toward insulin resistance, taste sensitivity, likelihood of cravings, and even sugar addiction propensity. Not only from a blood sugar perspective, but especially looking at neurotransmitter function. Sugar truly does affect us all differently. This can be really helpful for someone who feels like they have poor “willpower” when it comes to sweets. Often, it’s a legitimate heightened chemical response that will show up in the genes.

What is the connection between epigenetics and emotions?

There are so many connections! Emotions create chemical responses and many genotypes have been correlated with specific emotional patterns such as worrying, stress management, anxiety, or depression, even things like perfectionism and self-judgment. The great news is that with the proper dietary and/or micronutrient support via supplementation, many people feel radically more balanced. The more you know, the more you can optimize!

How is mental/emotional health rooted in chemistry?

Our neurotransmitter function can be seen largely in the genes—in fact, much more accurately than other lab measures. If your body, for example, is struggling to produce, transport, or metabolize something like serotonin, this can show up as anything from low-level depression, impulsive behavior, social anxiety, appetite dysregulation, and poor body image. Supporting your specific genetic function can make all the difference! Going really deep into functional genomics allows you to get super-specific interventions that can give you the upper hand.

What is nutrigenomics and how can it play a role in our health?

Nutrigenomics is the study of how to optimize your genetic expression by strategic dietary interventions. In other words, it’s eating for your genes. Some people, for example, do get outrageously great results from a Mediterranean-style diet because they carry certain genes that respond especially well to a high intake of monounsaturated fats. This definitely doesn’t apply to everyone. Other people may need to focus on an especially high fiber intake, which again, isn’t right for us all! There are so many nuances that are crystal clear with a deep dive into your genes.

What are your top health hacks to support the best expression of our genes possible?

Results definitely vary depending on lots of genes, but I’d say that a few things everyone could benefit from would include more sunlight exposure (particularly early morning or sunset), prioritizing sleep by minimizing electronics after sunset, and especially these days– stress management!

Our bodies are working hard to process all the changes we’ve faced in recent years, so finding any sort of meditation or mindfulness practice is essential. Meditation practices upregulate thousands of positive genetic expressions, so it’s incredibly underrated. I’m particularly fond of breathwork because it’s great for your lymphatic system, boosts nitric oxide, and really quickly provides a head shift! Definitely high on efficiency, which I love.

***THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR REGULATED BY THE FDA. WE ARE NOT DOCTORS, THEREFORE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST.