Has someone ever commented on your appearance in relation to another person? For example, “you have your mother’s eyes” or “your hands remind me of your grandfather’s.” Genetics focus on the characteristics we inherit[1]. These traits are from both parents, and some are more dominant than others. Not everything we inherit, like a radiant smile, is good. We sometimes get the short end of the stick.
Some Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are hereditary, and when combined with psychological and behavioural factors[2], one runs the risk of developing the disease. Behavioural factors such as living a sedentary lifestyle, alcohol and tobacco use, and eating an unhealthy diet, can contribute to health decline. Breaking these habits is key to avoiding the hereditary diseases that may be lurking in your family.
High cholesterol, when inherited, is called Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH). It is a genetic defect where the body recycles bad cholesterol. If this condition is left untreated, it could lead to heart disease[3]. The American Heart Association recommends testing for FH if a family member has been diagnosed with it. This also applies if a family member has had a heart attack. High cholesterol is a silent killer, which is why it is important to get tested regularly to keep it within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes is another hereditary NCD. However, just because you carry the gene does not mean that at some point in your life you will become diabetic. Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, depends on your environment and lifestyle[4]. Living a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, keeping your sugar, sodium and saturated fat consumption to a minimum and exercising for at least 150 minutes a week, can keep the gene that predisposes people to Type 2 diabetes in check.
Another inheritable condition that can increase the chances of developing heart disease and other complications is obesity. Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher indicates that a person is obese. Obesity puts a person at risk of many diseases, such as a stroke, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and some cancers[5]. Your weight is a result of the number of calories you consume in a day and your genetic makeup.
If you are convinced that the reason you are overweight or obese is due to your genetics, experts suggest that you look into the following factors. The first is if you have been overweight your entire life, the second is if one or both of your parents are severely overweight, and lastly, if you have difficulty losing weight despite being in a caloric deficit and increasing physical activity[6]. Having a calorific deficit occurs when the number of calories contained in the food you eat daily is less than the number of calories your body burns.
Whereas hereditary NCDs can be spontaneous, they are most commonly triggered by our lifestyle choices. As long as you are eating healthy meals and exercising, there is nothing to worry about. NCDs such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol creep in when we fail to make recommended lifestyle changes. It is important to seek information and follow the advice of health workers and wellness experts. One way of doing this is by monitoring five key numbers, which, if kept in the normal range, minimise the chances of developing NCDs. These are: blood pressure, cholesterol level, blood sugar, BMI and waist circumference.
[1] https://www.unesco.org/en/query-list/g/genetics
[2] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases
[3]https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/genetic-conditions/familial-hypercholesterolemia-fh#:~:text=If%20one%20person%20in%20a,treatment%20as%20soon%20as%20possible.
[4] https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/genetics-diabetes
[5]https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/obesity-health-consequences-of-being-overweight#:~:text=Being%20overweight%20or%20obese%20can%20have%20serious,starts%20when%20someone%20is%20only%20slightly%20overweight.
[6] https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/why-people-become-overweight