If it weren’t for our parents, none of us would be here at all, but the reality is that although they have blessed us all with the gift of life, it wasn’t a perfect package. Let’s face it: genes are amazing things – except when they are not. And in today’s post, we’re going to take a look at all those traits and conditions we might suffer from just because they have been passed down to us from our parents, grandparents, and ancestors. Read on and find out more!
Mental health issues
Awareness of mental health problems is becoming more prevalent these days – but only because people are shining more light onto them than they did before in the past. Depression, anxiety, psychological problems are not new conditions and have been around since the dawn of man, and there’s a good chance that your problems are hereditary in some way. According to research, it’s a 50-50 split between genetics and environmental factors. If both your parents have short copies of the gene 5-HTT, they will pass that onto you. And it means you aren’t capable of producing the level of proteins needed to regulate your serotonin levels, leading to issues such as depression. The good news is that depression is a lot more treatable these days than it was even 25-30 years ago. So while you won’t thank your folks for your shorted genes, at least you can deal with your problems a lot more efficiently than they ever could.
Colour blindness
Do you struggle to distinguish your reds from your greens? If so, you can thank one of your parents, as it’s a directly inherited condition. It’s something that men suffer from more than women, too, thanks to the single X-chromosome that we inherit from our mothers. Because women have two inherited X-chromosomes, a defective one is often balanced out by the good gene, whereas us guys are left with what we were given. Thanks, mum.
Baldness
While there is an obvious paternal hereditary link for male pattern baldness, it’s not actually as strong as you might think. The simple truth is that scientists are still in a lot of disagreement as to why it occurs, and there are some who believe that it is a mix of genes you inherit from both parents and even your grandparents. But frankly, who cares? Losing your hair can be a traumatic experience, and it’s not something anyone would choose to go through. Even if you can pull off the skinhead look, there will be part of you that misses the regular trip to the barbers and would love to style your hair a little differently just for once.
Again, though; count yourself lucky. Hair transplant cost is a lot cheaper these days than other, less efficient solutions were back in your dad’s prime years. And even wigs have got a lot more realistic than they were in days gone by. So, while male pattern baldness can still cause you a lot of grief, there are answers to your problems out there if you are willing to look around.
Athletic prowess
What makes a perfect athlete? Natural talent, hard work, and determination can all contribute, of course. But ultimately, your chances of scoring a winning goal in a Wembley cup final or winning Olympic gold might be down to your folks. Why? It’s down to your VO2 Max – which is a fancy term for your aerobic potential. According to research, your VO2 max is almost set in stone because it is up to 82 percent inheritable, which means there is a ceiling to your ability to perform. Remember that fact when your kids start playing football, and and you want to berate them from the sidelines for not having ‘an engine.’
Skin problems
The vast majority of teenagers develop acne at some point, and for some people, it continues long into adulthood. Again, scientists believe that much of the blame can be left at your parent’s door.
While stress and hormones obviously play a significant role, there is a genetic reason why your skin overproduces oil, dead skin cells, and allows bacteria to build up. The simple truth is that if your folks suffered from acne, so will you.
Heart problems
Unfortunately, you can lead a completely clean and healthy lifestyle, yet still, suffer from severe heart issues thanks to your genes. There are plenty of environmental factors involved in the development of heart disease and cardiovascular problems, of course, but hereditary factors play a huge role. If your parents or grandparents – or even your uncles and aunts – have suffered from heart issues, make sure you take great care of your health. The chances are that you will have those same risks, and could end up with heart disease at an earlier age than most, too.
Your big ears/nose/feet/hands
We all have parts of our bodies that we are unhappy with. And ultimately, it’s unhappiness that is likely to have been in your family for hundreds – if not thousands – of years.
But instead of cursing your big nose, dangly earlobes, or weird pointy pads on the end of your fingers, why not embrace them? Evolution suggests you have them for an excellent reason, and perhaps if your ancestor’s shnozzle weren’t quite so huge, he wouldn’t have attracted as much attention – and you wouldn’t have existed in the first place.
Your anger
Finally, do you feel yourself flying off the handle every now and again? Or do you struggle to keep a lid on it in particular circumstances? According to research, the genes you inherit from your folks could determine whether you can keep a cool head or have a short – and fiery – fuse. Believe it or not, there is a gene for anger – it’s called the DARPP-32 gene, and it affects your levels of dopamine. Angry people tend to have fewer brain cells in their amygdala, which is the part of your brain that helps you keep your emotions under control. So, while there is no excuse for losing your temper on a regular basis – and you really should seek help if you do – it might be down to your genetic makeup as much as it is your attitude.
