Epigenetics is a term from the field of biology. It refers to changes in gene expression that occur without altering the primary DNA sequence of a gene. During development, epigenetic mechanisms switch genes on or off in a highly regulated way to give and maintain the identity of each cell.

Epigenetic control of gene expression continues throughout our lives,
and is directly influenced in response to our ever-changing external environment. The DNA sequences that make up our genes are static and do not change. However, throughout our lives our epigenetics will change.

Thanks to years of scientific research, we know that lifestyle factors such as exercise, diet, stress, smoking and alcohol consumption influence the epigenetic ability to control the DNA of our genes. In this context, epigenetics defines a process in which our personal experience, or life history, is written directly into our DNA.