According to a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, three out of every four Americans reports experiencing a symptom of stress in the past thirty days. We are constantly faced with all kinds of stressors—personal, financial, career, news, and so on—with increasing frequency particularly as the role of mobile communications continues to grow in daily prevalence. A … Continue reading Nervous System’s Glial Cells May Epigenetically Respond to Stress
Could Drinking Alcohol Epigenetically Hamper Your Ability to Process Cholesterol?
Scientists from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Johns Hopkins Medicine worked together to analyze human and mouse epigenomes and discovered that drinking alcohol could lead to epigenetic changes that influence a particular gene’s ability to regulate cholesterol. The results suggest an underlying epigenetic mechanism known as DNA methylation could explain why someone’s body processes … Continue reading Could Drinking Alcohol Epigenetically Hamper Your Ability to Process Cholesterol?
The Epigenetic Benefits of Your Thanksgiving Feast
Thanksgiving is a time for people to come together to share what they are thankful for, enjoy each other’s company and, perhaps most importantly, eat. Sharing a large feast is a great way to strengthen the bond between family and friends during Thanksgiving, but you might not know it’s an opportunity to make the best … Continue reading The Epigenetic Benefits of Your Thanksgiving Feast
Exploring the Possibility of Extending Lifespan Using Epigenetic Drift
Nearly a century ago, researchers discovered that cutting calorie intake was actually able to extend lifespan in various animal species. Although numerous studies have been conducted since to find out exactly why reducing calories can extend lifespan, scientists have been unable to pinpoint the answer. Now, a group of investigators at the Lewis Katz School … Continue reading Exploring the Possibility of Extending Lifespan Using Epigenetic Drift
An Unlikely Savior: Vinegar Might Epigenetically Protect Plants From Drought
Climate change is undoubtedly one of the greatest threats facing both plants and animals alike. With rising temperatures and irregular weather patterns, droughts have become a far too normal occurrence worldwide. These harsh conditions have proven to be difficult on the survival of agriculture, and scientists all over the world have been searching for a … Continue reading An Unlikely Savior: Vinegar Might Epigenetically Protect Plants From Drought
A Western Diet May Adjust Epigenetic Marks on Children’s DNA and Damage The Nervous System
A recent study has shown that following a western diet even before your child is born may lead to dysfunction of his or her autonomic nervous system via epigenetic changes. A western diet is high in saturated fats, red meats, and empty carbohydrates while being low in fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, seafood and poultry. Eating … Continue reading A Western Diet May Adjust Epigenetic Marks on Children’s DNA and Damage The Nervous System
‘Magical’ Mushroom Could Fight off Cancer with Epigenetics
A certain type of mushroom might epigenetically prevent tumor growth, according to a study published in the Journal of Cancer Research and Treatment. A medicinal mushroom, Phellinus linteus (PL), could come with “magical” anticancer properties. Researchers from New York Medical College found that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inactivation and histone acetylation led to the death of bladder cancer cells. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy often … Continue reading ‘Magical’ Mushroom Could Fight off Cancer with Epigenetics
Epigenetically Reactivating a Compromised Immune System with a Specific Sugar
Could a certain type of sugar undo the failure of an individual’s immune system? New research suggests that immune cells can be restored in those with a compromised immune system using a sugar known as beta-glucan, which can turn on an epigenetic “control switch”. For many, getting an infection, such as a sinus infection, … Continue reading Epigenetically Reactivating a Compromised Immune System with a Specific Sugar
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
Open Mind, Open Genes: Exercising Your Epigenetic Power with Yoga
Can yogic poses like downward facing dog improve your health by adjusting tiny chemical tags on your DNA? A calmer, relaxed mind after an intense yoga session seems to go hand-in-hand with bolstered health and a reduced chance of disease. Epigenetics, or the study of biological changes that occur due to different chemical marks that alter … Continue reading Open Mind, Open Genes: Exercising Your Epigenetic Power with Yoga
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 