Bipolar disorder affects nearly 6 million Americans and is characterized by drastic shifts in mood, activity levels, and energy, which influences an individual’s ability to carry out daily tasks. It’s a dangerously misunderstood disease and can be easily misdiagnosed. The extreme adjustments in mood – known as mania and depression – are more severe than the … Continue reading Bipolar Disorder Linked to Accelerated Epigenetic Aging
Epigenetic Marks on DNA May Indicate Breast Cancer Risks
It’s hard not to know someone who has been affected by breast cancer. Nearly one in eight women will battle this disease in her lifetime and for those women affected it becomes the battle for their life. Early detection and medical advances stem the tide of this disease, but each study brings us a little … Continue reading Epigenetic Marks on DNA May Indicate Breast Cancer Risks
Muscles ‘Remember’ Previous Exercise in the Form of Epigenetic Tags on DNA
Our muscles may actually possess a molecular memory in the form of epigenetic marks on our DNA. According to a study published in Scientific Reports, these chemical tags tell a tale of when skeletal muscles grew after exercise and could possibly help them grow bigger later on. Although you might think that month-long resistance training class that you’ve been meaning to sign … Continue reading Muscles ‘Remember’ Previous Exercise in the Form of Epigenetic Tags on DNA
Epigenetics May Explain Why Stress From Exercise is Good for the Heart
In the exercise community, it is often preached that working out is a form of medicine and can be crucial to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Routine exercise helps to retain healthy body weight and has been shown to lower the risk of diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. It’s even been shown … Continue reading Epigenetics May Explain Why Stress From Exercise is Good for the Heart
Skipping Sleep Lowers the Body’s Protective Antioxidant Levels and Induces Epigenetic Changes
Sleep is something that nearly all species need to survive. On a daily basis, humans need about 8 hours, dogs and cats recharge with around 12 hours, and the koala takes nearly the entire day — napping a whopping 22 hours. But unlike dogs, koalas, or most other animals, we humans don’t always get enough … Continue reading Skipping Sleep Lowers the Body’s Protective Antioxidant Levels and Induces Epigenetic Changes
Does A Slow Cellular Metabolism Speed Up Aging?
Aging is a universal human reality. Concern regarding aging—and a collective aversion to it—has even generated entire industry segments dedicated to anti-aging products, from expensive supplements through pricey lotions. People are afraid of the issues that can come up with advanced age: cancer, cognitive decline, wrinkles and age spots, mobility issues, sexual dysfunction, and any number of other … Continue reading Does A Slow Cellular Metabolism Speed Up Aging?
Epigenetics May Provide Relief for Fragile X Syndrome and Intellectual Disorders
Intellectual disabilities affect an individual’s ability to communicate, process information and can severely impact basic life skills of people from all age groups. Many are a result of a genetic mutation and have often had little insight on any cures or treatments. Recent research published in Cell suggests that epigenetics may play a role in alleviating behavioral symptoms and … Continue reading Epigenetics May Provide Relief for Fragile X Syndrome and Intellectual Disorders
The Epigenetics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises of a range of neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by social/communication deficits as well as repetitive/restrictive interests or behaviours. Currently, the exact causes of ASD symptomology is far from being understood. This is, in part, due to the complex and multifactorial nature of the disorder.Despite such complexities significant progress to understanding the disorder … Continue reading The Epigenetics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Epigenetic Marks in Blood May Help Detect Early Alzheimer’s
Late onset Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of the disease, which affects over 35 million people around the world with crippling dementia. Recent evidence suggests that early intervention can help slow down the memory loss—one of Alzheimer’s hallmark symptoms. Earlier intervention can occur with earlier detection, and so researchers have been focusing on … Continue reading Epigenetic Marks in Blood May Help Detect Early Alzheimer’s
Mitochondrial DNA Methylation Gives Clues to Insulin Response in Pre-Diabetics
What if those who are resistant to insulin but don’t have diabetes could help prevent themselves and others from developing the disease? Researchers from Virginia Tech have discovered a biomarker in those who are pre-diabetic that could prevent them and potentially others from getting type 2 diabetes. The researchers uncovered that pre-diabetics, or people … Continue reading Mitochondrial DNA Methylation Gives Clues to Insulin Response in Pre-Diabetics
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 