Despite its bad rap, alcohol is known to have anti-inflammatory benefits. In fact, studies have found that moderate alcohol consumption can reduce biomarkers of inflammation. However, not everyone can enjoy this benefit. According to the latest research, drinking alcohol can do you more harm than good if you’re already suffering from chronic inflammation or an inflammatory condition like … Continue reading What happens if a person with rheumatoid arthritis drinks too much alcohol?
Exercise May Offset Drinking’s Harmful Epigenetic Effect on the Brain
Drinking alcohol on a regular basis, even in moderation, can cause damage to the brain. Physical activity, however, has been reported to protect cognitive function. So, could exercise counteract drinking’s harmful effects on the brain? In a recent study conducted at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Louisville, KY, a group of researchers decided to … Continue reading Exercise May Offset Drinking’s Harmful Epigenetic Effect on the Brain
Epigenetic Drugs That Fight Cancer Also Show Promise as Antivirals
Epigenetic drugs designed to fight cancer might actually be used against many viruses as well. A recent study published in the American Society for Microbiology shows that some pharmaceuticals that act epigenetically have the power to be used as broad spectrum antivirals. Specifically, the researchers looked at histone methyltransferases EZH2/1 inhibitors which can help fight against cancer. Numerous DNA … Continue reading Epigenetic Drugs That Fight Cancer Also Show Promise as Antivirals
How Understanding an Individual’s Epigenetics Can Help Measure and Treat Addiction
For a long time humans have wondered if chemicals causing drug and alcohol addiction could be active in the genes and potentially passed on to the next generation. Although this was not scientifically proven until recent years, the fear of suffering from addictive diseases led children of addicts and former addicts to avoid alcohol and … Continue reading How Understanding an Individual’s Epigenetics Can Help Measure and Treat Addiction
Nicotine Could Cause Epigenetic Changes to Testes and Compromise Fertility
Despite the countless destructive health consequences and carcinogenic properties of cigarette smoke, the CDC estimates that 40 million adults in the United States currently smoke cigarettes. The toxic chemicals are capable of causing damage to nearly every organ in the body and can lead to the development of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and cancer. Researchers continue to … Continue reading Nicotine Could Cause Epigenetic Changes to Testes and Compromise Fertility
Patients of weight-loss surgery are at triple the death risk from substance use, study says
Some people who struggle to lose weight turn to gastric bypass surgery in hopes of quick and lasting results. While this operation can make a difference for some patients initially, it could lead to a host of problems in the long term – and one surprising one is a higher risk of death due to substance … Continue reading Patients of weight-loss surgery are at triple the death risk from substance use, study says
Smoking Linked to Epigenetic Warning Signs of Cancer in Cheek Cells
New research published in JAMA Oncology shows that DNA damage that occurs as a result of smoking may be found in cheek swabs. In light of this research, smoking is thought to adjust the epigenetic profile of cheek cells and the resulting epigenetic landscape may even be used as an early warning sign of other cancers typically … Continue reading Smoking Linked to Epigenetic Warning Signs of Cancer in Cheek Cells
Recent Epigenetic Discovery Could Help Revitalize Immune Response to Cancer and Viruses
A recent discovery out of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital finds an epigenetic cause to why T-cells fall ineffective in immune responses to cancer and viral infections. T-cells, a type of cell produced by the thymus gland, are a critical combatant in the human immune system. Their main job is to fight foreign invaders such … Continue reading Recent Epigenetic Discovery Could Help Revitalize Immune Response to Cancer and Viruses
No good reason for the opioid epidemic: Clinical trial showed no “significant difference” in pain relief for treating arm or leg pain using opioids vs non-opioids
There is a lot of finger-pointing going on when it comes to the cause of the opioid epidemic. The pharmaceutical companies making these drugs often get the bulk of the blame, with the doctors who prescribe them following closely behind in the culpability leaderboard. To be fair, some opioid addictions start out fairly innocently, with … Continue reading No good reason for the opioid epidemic: Clinical trial showed no “significant difference” in pain relief for treating arm or leg pain using opioids vs non-opioids
Could medical marijuana be a solution to the opioid epidemic?
Medical marijuana users in Illinois report that their use of the substance to relieve pain has lessened or stopped their use of other prescription medications such as opioids, as reported by The Daily Mail. The small-scale study from DePaul University and Rush University suggests it could be a solution to the opioid crisis. The researchers studied 30 participants, … Continue reading Could medical marijuana be a solution to the opioid epidemic?
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 