Since March is Women’s Health Month, there’s no better time to highlight the power that women possess in that they are the literal gatekeepers of human health.
This sounds like a pretty hefty claim to make, but it goes far beyond genetics. If you’re alive and well today, you can thank the women of your lineage for the foundation that your own health rests upon.
Genetic Selection
While it’s true that our genetic inheritance is about a 50/50 split between our mother’s and father’s DNA, recent research supports that the egg may choose the sperm that will fertilize it (1). This research is very new and not well understood, but it seems that some sort of signals are selective toward particular genetic makeup.
If this doesn’t just blow your mind, I’m not sure what would.
Responsible for ALL Energy Production
Remember when you learned about genetics and mitochondria in biology class? Your teacher referred to them as the ‘powerhouses of the cell’ and told you that ‘mitochondrial inheritance comes from your mother.’
At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of this. This means that every bit of energy that your body makes to produce hormones, beat your heart, flex your muscles, think, and run every single physiological process that makes you alive and human came from your mother.
ATP energy is the essence of life itself, and these incredible little non-human organelles have been passed down through the lineage of females since the dawn of symbiotic energy production.
To be fair, in recent discoveries, some scientists believe that a minimal number of mitochondria may be inherited from the father (2). This is not fully agreed upon, but even so, the numbers pale in comparison, given the sheer size difference between the egg and sperm and the concentration of mitochondria within each.
The sperm carries 50-70 mitochondria with it to the egg to fuel the grueling journey it takes. The egg contains 100,000 mitochondria within it. (3)
You Harbor Your Grandchildren’s DNA
Somehow, these stem cells know exactly when to turn certain genes off to “specialize” into specific tissue cells. Ill while aligning in the exact formation to create an anatomically correct human being. This feat alone is nearly unfathomable, but what’s even wilder is that part of that process includes establishing your future grandchildren’s DNA.
If a woman is pregnant with a daughter, by week 20 of gestation, she has already produced and is housing all of the eggs that may go on to become your grandchild(ren) one day.
Epigenetics are In Your Hands
Not only does a woman’s body conduct the impossible genetic transformations outlined above, but she also holds the power to establish the epigenetic expression within the DNA that her children will carry with them their entire lives.
During pregnancy, the mental, emotional, and nutritional state sets in motion epigenetic changes to the baby’s DNA. This can determine the entire health trajectory of your child’s life. Learn more about Generational Nutrition.
Establishing the Microbiome of the Future
The natural birthing process and breastfeeding seeds and feeds the entire microbiome foundation of the baby. This is huge!
Natural birth exposes the baby for the first time to the probiotic bacteria that will go on to become its own microbiome (4).
Breast milk contains indigestible compounds called human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). For a long time, scientists couldn’t understand why the body would waste resources making something that the baby couldn’t use. They later discovered that these are produced to feed the microbiome, like fiber (5). The body is incredible!
Beyond the Microbiome
The health benefits of breastfeeding span far beyond microbiome support. It is the ideal means of feeding babies and should always be sought out as the first route of feeding whenever optional. Breastfeeding also establishes (6):
- A healthy, robust immune system
- Proper facial structure formation (to help prevent snoring, sleep apnea, and the need for dental reconstructive interventions in early childhood)
- Nasal breathing.
- Helps reduce the risk of future diseases and health issues like eczema, asthma, ear infections, colic, type 1 diabetes, and tooth decay. There are also several great benefits to mom as well.
This all comes from this magic elixir that your body makes all on its own!
Your Health Comes First
Women’s power to influence future generations’ health is incredible. While this is wonderful, it’s also quite a heavy responsibility.
Women are commonly viewed as the ‘natural caregivers.’ “Being responsible for the health outcomes of our entire future generations” may seem like a lot more to ask of women, but the beauty of this is that if you prioritize your own health first, it has an outward ripple effect that beneficially impacts the health of those who mean the most to you.
When you nurture your hormone balance, practice mindful nutrition, and prioritize your mental well-being, the vitality that you experience naturally flows over into the health of your children, your partner, your friends, and your family members.
The health and well-being of the future begins with you! It’s not always easy, but the benefits to reap are unsurpassed. Not only does it help you, it helps the world. That is altruism, and that is the quintessential definition of living to honor your authentic self.
