Dr. Jennifer Stagg’s Bio:
Dr. Stagg is an expert in nutrigenomics and precision lifestyle medicine and is the author of Unzip Your Genes. She is the founder and medical director of Whole Health Wellness Center in Connecticut and is currently a practicing physician. Dr. Stagg is a sought-after speaker and medical contributor and has appeared on NBC, ABC, and CBS.

She is passionate about helping people take charge of their health. She believes we all deserve to fulfill our genetic potential. People come to her because they want to know why they feel the way they do and what they can do about it.  Many have even worked with multiple health care providers before they consult with her. She ends up seeing many people who have almost given up and feel hopeless. And of her patients are people who have demanding careers – top-level executives, athletes, entertainers, and performers, as well as everyday people experiencing the same basic struggles.

According to Dr. Stagg, how our Genes play such an important role in our mental health:

We once thought that your genes were set in stone and there was nothing you could do to affect the genetic information passed on to you from your parents. It turns out that HOW you live imparts signals to your DNA, triggering a change in how your genes get expressed. We now know that when cortisol levels elevate from stress, it changes the DNA methylation pattern which impacts gene function. This process also happens in response to dietary input, physical activity, emotional connection and even to when a baby is held. Ultimately, this is why (the TSRR practices many of the Practitioners on our Alliance are sharing): meditation, guided relaxation, yoga, exercise, a diet rich in colorful plants, and maintaining meaningful relationships have such a deep rooted effect on our overall health and especially our emotional well-being.

By approaching mental health complications this way, we can explore the root cause of why our systems have become imbalanced, but even more importantly, focus on what we can do to promote health and wellness instead of just treating disease or dysfunction, which is a major paradigm shift. My first career path as a biochemist set the framework for my clinical practice. I am a national expert in Precision Lifestyle Medicine, which blends cutting-edge genomic testing and epigenetics with nutrition, exercise, mindset and stress management. Lifestyle practices that promote healthy DNA expression is the key to feeling your best. It’s important to recognize how unique we all are and how a ‘one size fits all’ approach is outdated. Programs are tailored to focus on what will work best for each patient, and based on how it appears the factors above have impacted their genes.

Dr. Stagg’s Resource Recommendations:

book:

Unzip Your Genes (My book, which is a primer in understanding the intersection between genetics and lifestyle)

articles:

How stress and unhealthy habits hold you back from happiness and success

3 Powerful ayes to guard your DNA

website:

drstagg.com