Air pollution is not only a significant threat to our environment, but also to our health. Ranging from vehicles to industrial facilities, common sources of air pollution are all around us. These pollutants are linked to serious health issues, such as respiratory disease, impaired lung function, asthma, cancer, chronic bronchitis, and increased morbidity. According to … Continue reading Air Pollution Found to Alter Important Epigenetic Mark
Birth Season Could Epigenetically Determine Your Allergy Risk
It has long been acknowledged that the season during which you were born can influence you throughout your life in many ways – your height, lifespan, and maybe even your temperament. In fact, research has found a strong connection between the season of someone’s birth and their personality. A study in European College of Neuropsychopharmacology found that people … Continue reading Birth Season Could Epigenetically Determine Your Allergy Risk
Air Pollution Could Alter Tags on DNA and Increase Risk for Neurodegenerative Disease
Not only is air pollution a major environmental concern, but it poses major health issues. New research suggests that inhaling extremely small particles known as fine particulate matter could add epigenetic marks to DNA. This may potentially lead to stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, cognitive impairments and neurodevelopmental disorders. We’re certainly learning more about how … Continue reading Air Pollution Could Alter Tags on DNA and Increase Risk for Neurodegenerative Disease
Epigenetic Changes Result from Breathing in Diesel Exhaust
New research exposes the epigenetic changes and harmful consequences that can occur as a result of exposure to diesel exhaust fumes. Researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health have found that breathing in diesel exhaust fumes can lead to changes in DNA methylation levels, switching on and off certain genes. Diesel exhaust is … Continue reading Epigenetic Changes Result from Breathing in Diesel Exhaust
Pregnant Moms’ Exposure to Pollution May Epigenetically Increase Child’s Asthma Susceptibility
Exposure to environmental pollution, such as diesel exhaust or concentrated urban air particles, during pregnancy could increase a child’s risk of developing asthma via epigenetic mechanisms. Recent research in the Journal of Physiology – Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology suggests that this allergic susceptibility might even be epigenetically passed down for several generations. Asthma forms as a result … Continue reading Pregnant Moms’ Exposure to Pollution May Epigenetically Increase Child’s Asthma Susceptibility
B Vitamins Protect Against Harmful Epigenetic Effects of Air Pollution
Air pollution has a negative impact on our health and can also adjust important chemical tags on our DNA. Aside from taking steps to reduce pollution in our communities, a new study suggests that we can take B vitamins to combat the harmful effects on our bodies. Particulate matter with a diameter less than … Continue reading B Vitamins Protect Against Harmful Epigenetic Effects of Air Pollution
RNA-Methylation-Dependent RNA Processing Controls the Speed of the Circadian Clock
Circadian rhythms are the physiological changes that follow a roughly 24-hour cycle, such as the sleep-wake cycle. They are found in most living things including animals, plants and fungi. The mammalian circadian biological clock regulates metabolism via a negative transcription-translation feedback loop of clock genes. Histone protein methylation is an epigenetic modification which has been suggested to … Continue reading RNA-Methylation-Dependent RNA Processing Controls the Speed of the Circadian Clock
Histone Modifications and Epigenetic Regulation Could Hold the Key to Reversing Aging
Epigenetics has numerous connections to the process of aging, research hinting at the association between longevity and factors such as transcriptome length and DNA methylation patterns. Clearly, understanding the molecular controls of aging proves to be an intriguing endeavor as we try to interpret the clues of how we might slow down and perhaps even reverse aging. … Continue reading Histone Modifications and Epigenetic Regulation Could Hold the Key to Reversing Aging
Epigenetic Regulation of a Single Gene Controls Drug and Stress Responses
Researchers have found that the regulation of a specific gene located in an area of the brain linked to depression and drug addiction can reduce the way someone responds to drugs and stressful situations. A mouse study that focused on the epigenetic regulation of a single gene was carried out at the Icahn School of Medicine at … Continue reading Epigenetic Regulation of a Single Gene Controls Drug and Stress Responses
Natural Compound in Cypress Trees Might Epigenetically Protect Against Cancer
A chemical in an essential oil extracted from tree bark might actually reduce cancer growth. Researchers are finding that hinokitiol, a compound found in some cypress trees, not only has anti-infective and anti-oxidative properties, but it might also impact the epigenetic tags on top of DNA and reactivate genes that fight against tumor growth. The epigenetic … Continue reading Natural Compound in Cypress Trees Might Epigenetically Protect Against Cancer
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 