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Genetics vs. epigenetics: what’s the difference?

Genetics and epigenetics sound similar, but they are not the same thing. Both deal with heredity, but they work in very different ways.

What is epigenetics?

Epigenetics shows that our cells have a memory. They store:

• Environmental influences to which we are exposed in the course of our lives.
• The consequences of our lifestyle (diet, stress, exercise, etc.).
• Experiences of our ancestors (up to several generations back).
• Experiences from the time around our birth (from conception until today).

Children can “inherit” behavioral or emotional patterns from their parents. The special thing about epigenetics is that it can change constantly – through our lifestyle, our diet or even our thoughts.

What is genetics?

Genetics deals with our genetic material. It determines which physical characteristics we have, for example:

• Eye color (blue, green, brown, etc.)
• Hair color
• height

These characteristics are hereditary and remain largely unchanged throughout life.

Why is this important?

While genetics determines our physical characteristics, epigenetics shows that we have more influence on our health and well-being than we often think. Through a healthy lifestyle and conscious choices, we can positively influence our epigenetic patterns and even pass them on to our children.


Book your preliminary talk now and we’ll see together how I can support you. I look forward to accompanying you on this journey! 😊