Have you inherited your mother’s health?

New research suggests that our genes may play a bigger role in our health than diet or lifestyle

Have you inherited your mother?s health?
Have you inherited your mother?s health?
(Image credit: Rex Features)

New research suggests that our genes may play a bigger role in our health than diet or lifestyle

New research suggests that our genes may play a bigger role in our health than diet or lifestyle.

Scientists at the University of London have found that 57 per cent of girls start their periods within three months of the date that their mothers did. It’s also been discovered that we’re 80 per cent more likely to suffer from migraines if our mother gets them.

On the plus side, those of us who are lucky enough to inherit ‘muscular genes’ from our mums are naturally fitter. According to a study from the International Journal Of Obesity reported in the Daily Mail, we’re half as likely to be in good physical shape if our mothers are - and those of us with these special ‘muscular genes’ don’t need to do as much exercise to stay fit.

Depression, arthritis, obesity, Alzheimer’s, the menopause and breast cancer are also likely to be inherited from our mothers.

It was previously thought that diet played a bigger role than genes, but could predicting our future health be as simple as looking at our mother’s medical record?

Let us know what you think and leave your comments below. Or tweet us your experiences at Twitter.com/MarieClaireUK

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