Genetic Exercise for Prevention of Diseases

Can you believe that someday doctors may be in a position to prescribe a personalized exercise prescription for the prevention of diseases that run in your family?  Approximately, 100 to 200 of our 80,000-plus genes are already known by scientists, all of which are “turned on” by exercise, and about the same number that are “turned off” by exercise, according to Kenneth Baldwin, PhD, Professor of Psychology, at  University of California, Irvine.  In the not-too-distant future, your genetic profile can be accessible to doctors.

For instance, if you have a genetic predisposition to colon cancer, a baseline biopsy of your DNA will be taken. Your doctor will then direct you to take a simple walk or perform a vigorous, aerobic workout, after which, another biopsy will follow, in order to ascertain  how your genes respond.  A workout plan, based on these tests, will be prescribed, so that your genes can be turned on and off properly.  At the same, you will not have to worry about getting weaker as you grow older.  In order to maintain the strength of your muscles, as you age,  a simple prescription by your doctor will help keep you healthy and fit.

Research in this regard, is continuing at an uninterrupted pace. Scientists are working in cooperation with donors, and, hopefully, some day, doctors will be equipped with a thorough knowledge of this particular medical breakhrough for the prevention of diseases through specific exercise prescriptions.