Thanks, Mom! 9 Surprising Health Traits You Inherited From Your Mother
From your metabolism to your smile—science says Mom gave you more than you think
Key Takeaways
- Research shows that you inherit certain health traits from your mother.
- Factors like cellular energy and menopause timing are strongly influenced by your maternal line
- Metabolism and mood are a mix of maternal inheritance and environmental factors.
Her laugh. Her love of chocolate. Her heirloom pearl necklace… There are plenty of wonderful things our moms might pass down to us over the years, but what about specific health traits? We spoke with experts to learn more about what traits are inherited from our mothers. (If you’ve never had a cavity, you can thank your mom!) Here’s an impressive list…
What we inherit from our moms—9 unique things
Turns out there are some parts of our health that come disproportionately from our maternal line of the family tree. “We do inherit quite a bit from our mothers, both genetically and through early developmental influences,” explains Nicole Avena, PhD, a top neuroscientist and visiting professor of health psychology at Princeton University. Certain cellular genetic factors are passed exclusively from mothers to children, she says, and others where a maternal influence is strong but not our total destiny. Let’s dive into these unique health traits.
Our energy level and daily stamina
This is a biggie. If you recall high school biology class, you’ve probably heard of mitochondria—the little energy factories inside each of our cells. “We inherit our mitochondrial DNA from our mothers,” explains Snehal Smart, MD, a board-certified patient advocate. Even though you get genetic information from both parents, you inherit 100 percent of this piece responsible for cellular energy from your mom. That translates to things like daily stamina, resilience, feelings of fatigue and sleep patterns, all thanks to good old mom’s gifts. No wonder so many women are busy multitaskers, even deep down in their cellular makeup! (Shout out to my Energizer Bunny of a mom!)
Woman's World Answers
Our metabolism and fat-storage patterns
If you’ve ever been able to share clothing with your mom, there’s a scientific reason why. On the weight side, our metabolism and eating behaviors are inherited from our mother and shaped by both biology and environment. Specifically, where our body chooses to store fat—for example, in the hips vs. the abdomen—and how easily we gain weight passes down the maternal family line.
In fact, research shows that you inherit special fat cells known as ‘brown fat’ from your mother. These cells are super efficient at burning body fat to help you manage a healthy weight naturally. Understanding these weight-related patterns may help you work with your body, not against it.
Our brain power and brilliance
Are you and your mom both stellar at crossword puzzles? Dr. Smart shares, “The genes that confer intelligence are found on the X chromosome, which is typically inherited from the mother.” In other words, some genes linked to cognitive function come only from mom. So while a lot of outside factors contribute to intelligence over a lifetime, much of it starts with the word M-O-M.
Our beauty and skin quality
“Some patients are surprised at how many health traits can be passed down the maternal line,” says Daniel Careaga, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon. Speaking of things you can see in the mirror… “In my observation as a practitioner, I see maternal traits in skin quality, facial structure, hair density and bone structure.” (Think of supermodel Cindy Crawford and her mini-me model daughter Kaia Gerber!)
That said, genetics is just one part of the picture. Dr. Careaga explains, “I have seen mothers and daughters with almost identical facial anatomy, but different skin quality, such as skin tone, texture and elasticity due to sun exposure, smoking, nutrition and stress levels.” So remember, genetics and environment both play important roles.
Our mental health tendencies
Are any women in your family natural worrywarts? Research shows a stronger maternal link to mental patterns such as our stress responses, our risk tolerance and our tendencies for anxiety and depression. A couple of factors are at play here: This can be passed down through mom’s X chromosome or be triggered by early factors such as stress hormones during pregnancy and maternal bonding in the early years.
“I most definitely inherited a sensitive nervous system from my mother,” reveals Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, a bestselling health author and nutritionist, who has helped millions of women optimize their wellness. “I later discovered many members of my mother’s family had anxiety and depression. Thankfully, I discovered GABA, which I take to this day!” She’s referring to the natural supplement gamma-aminobutyric acid, which inhibits nerve signals to deliver a calming effect on the brain, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It’s one of many tools available to support mental wellness.
The good news: Happy moods have a hereditary component, too. As Avena adds, you can also get mom’s “predisposition for a positive outlook”—a wonderful gift that can brighten your entire life.
Our smile and cavity risk
Our dental health is largely dictated by our mom’s genetics and hygiene, according to research published in The International Journal of Research and Public Health. We’re talking enamel strength, tooth structure and gum health. In fact, cavity risk is considered 60 percent genetic.
This isn’t guaranteed. Whichever parent passes oral bacteria or saliva to a newborn baby first—like through a kiss—will influence the health of the child’s teeth most. And that often happens to be the mother.
Our close-up vision
Nearsightedness, also called myopia, runs a high risk of inheritance from the mother’s side of the family. “Maternal traits also extend to vision and dental characteristics,” confirms Dr. Careaga. “I always advise patients to know their mom’s history early so that it can help dictate preventive care, whether it’s earlier skin checks, bone density monitoring, or more aggressive dental and vision care.”
Our heart health
Studies suggest a mother’s cardiovascular history is a strong predictor of a daughter’s heart disease risk. So if your mom has a healthy ticker, you probably inherited that strength too. And if your mom has experienced a heart attack or stroke, knowledge is power: You may want to start being screened earlier to maintain optimal health.
Talk to your doctor about heart-healthy lifestyle choices that can help you take charge of your cardiovascular wellness. Simple steps like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management can make a real difference.
Our bone density and menopause patterns
Remember how cellular energy can be traced back to your mother? That also goes for some markers of aging. Scientists have found a mom’s health strongly influences issues of midlife and beyond, including our menopause experience and risk of osteoporosis. Mothers can also influence certain tendencies for autoimmune conditions.
Lots to celebrate, share and discuss
In short: You’re not a copy of your mom—but you do inherit key traits and health patterns from her. They make up a big part of the puzzle, along with your dad’s genetics, plus lifestyle and environmental factors. So if you’re happy with your health, give your mom a hug of gratitude. And even if you and your mother have different perspectives on life, this is a reminder that you two may have more in common than you think, down to your DNA.
If anything, a chat with your mom or a look back at her old health records can offer you important insights that can shape your future wellbeing. Remember, getting acquainted with your family history can pave the way for preventive care and improve longevity!
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
