This entry is part of the series Health on the Shelf

I always thought that your genes were sort of like your fingerprint — you get what you get, and you cannot change it. While this may be basically true, the field of Epigenetics helps us to understand how our behavior, environment, and other factors can alter how our genes express themselves, or change which genes get switched on or off. This has important ramifications for those faced with a genetic disorder or a family history of a certain disease. It is also important for those who simply want to live a healthier lifestyle. Listed below are five titles that incorporate Epigenetics into a plan for healthy living. For additional information on Epigenetics, try Medline Plus or Centers for Disease Control.

Dirty Genes: A Breakthrough Program to Treat the Root Cause of Illness and Optimize Your Health
Change Your Genes, Change Your Life: Creating Optimal Health With the New Science of Epigenetics
You Are What Your Grandparents Ate: What You Need to Know About Nutrition, Experience, Epigenetics, and the Origins of Chronic Disease
Genetics of Health: Understand Your Genes for Better Health
Super Genes: Unlock the Astonishing Power of Your DNA for Optimum Health and Well-Being