How light at night could double your risk of cancer. - The World Health Organization listed ‘light at night’ as a possible carcinogen in 2007. That is an eye-opening statement for something that affects almost all of us. From streetlights to the lamp in the living room, from accent garden lighting to the glow of TV’s and cell phone… artificial light at night is truly ubiquitous. … Continue reading "How light at night could double your risk of cancer."
Genetic variants that increase susceptibility to Lyme disease - Lyme disease is caused by being bitten by a tick that carries the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi in North America or other Borrelia species in Europe. General symptoms after being bitten can include a bulls-eye rash, fever, headache, pain, and general malaise. The majority of people recover after a few weeks, but some have symptoms (neurological, cardiovascular, fatigue, arthritis) … Continue reading "Genetic variants that increase susceptibility to Lyme disease"
Dads matter: MTHFR variants in fathers affect miscarriage risk - There are quite a few studies showing that women carrying certain MTHFR variant combinations are at a somewhat higher risk for miscarriage, but I recently ran across a study that added a new twist to the topic. It turns out that the father’s MTHFR variants can also play a role in recurrent miscarriages. The study … Continue reading "Dads matter: MTHFR variants in fathers affect miscarriage risk"
Review of 23andMe’s GrandTree Feature - Ever wonder whether you get your red hair from your grandmother or grandfather? Is it grandma’s fault that you are likely to go bald? The GrandTree feature on 23andMe allows you to link together three generations to see what a grandchild inherited from their grandparents. This seems to be the ultimate way to know who to … 
PMS, Genetics, and Solutions (Patrons Only) - A lot of women know the moodiness and brain fog that comes with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It can range from simply feeling irritable and icky to being something that really interferes with our lives. What role do genes play in PMS? It has been shown in the past few years that there is a genetic component, … Continue reading "PMS, Genetics, and Solutions (Patrons Only)"
Circadian Rhythm Connections, Part 2: Weight Loss and Meal Timing - There are five key elements to weight loss from a circadian point of view: Timing of Meals; Light Exposure; Sleep; What to Eat, When; and Genetic Variants. All of these can come together in our modern world to give you a propensity to gain weight – and all can be hacked to help you lose … Continue reading "Circadian Rhythm Connections, Part 2: Weight Loss and Meal Timing"
Circadian Rhythm Connections: Part 1 – Mood Disorders - Roosters crowing at the first crack of daylight. Morning glories unfurling their blooms as the sun rises in the sky. Lightning bugs flickering just as dusk falls. Most people intuitively understand that plants respond to sunlight, using photosynthesis to produce energy and store sugar during daylight. It is easy to also apply the thought of … Continue reading "Circadian Rhythm Connections: Part 1 – Mood Disorders"
Are you allergic to grass pollen? It may be genetic. - Spring is in full force here, and with it has come the need to dust off the lawnmower. As the smell of fresh cut grass fills the air, many people also know the feelings of watery eyes, runny noses, and itching everything. Speaking of smelling the grass… Did you know that some people can’t smell the … Continue reading "Are you allergic to grass pollen? It may be genetic."
Serotonin: How your genes affect this neurotransmitter - Serotonin… most of us think of the commercials with happy brain neurons bouncing the serotonin molecule between them. Turns out that there is a lot more to this molecule than most of us realize. About 90% of serotonin is made in the gut and regulates motility there.[ref] Serotonin is also involved in various other bodily … Continue reading "Serotonin: How your genes affect this neurotransmitter"
Lithium: A mineral that affects mood, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, and telomeres - I’ve written before on the topic of supplemental lithium orotate for mood, anxiety, and irritability. (Read the previous article here: A little lithium and B12 makes the world a happier place — for some.) What about the effects of lithium as a mineral supplement on other aspects of health? In reading studies on a wide range … Continue reading "Lithium: A mineral that affects mood, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, and telomeres"
Gulf War Illness: Genetic susceptibility and current research - A question from a patron via Patreon prompted me to look into the link between genes and Gulf War Illness. I wanted to share what I found in case it can help other veterans who are dealing with the aftereffects of their service to our country during the Gulf War. The Dept. of Veteran Affairs … Continue reading "Gulf War Illness: Genetic susceptibility and current research"
The ‘redhead’ gene - I remember in high school learning about Punnet squares; people with brown hair had the dominant hair color gene and red hair was recessive. It turns out that it isn’t nearly as simple as having a red hair gene or a brown hair gene. Nor is there a blue eye gene — seems like my …
Optimizing Your Life and Diet Based on Your Genes
