Heredity involves much more than the genes your parents passed on to you, posits Judith Finlayson, and the science of epigenetics proves that the experiences of previous generations shape your health and well-being. Many of the risks for chronic diseases—including obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and dementia—can be traced back to your first 1,000 days of existence, from the moment you were conceived. As Finlayson points out, though, positive lifestyle changes have been shown to spark epigenetic adjustments that can lead to better health, not only for yourself and your children, but also for generations to come.