Estrogens: The good, the bad, and how they are metabolized
Updated articles
Hi everyone,
I've been busy this past week updating articles with new research studies. Two articles with major updates are
At the top of the estrogen article, I embedded a video overview (click the drop-down to see it). Let me know if you like this type of video, or if you have suggestions for improving it.
I'm trying to find more ways to reach people with genetic and health information, and I know that so many people are auditory learners (or just don't like reading on a screen). If you have ideas for improving the accessibility of my articles, let me know -- just reply to this email, it will get to me.
New genetic research is being published all the time, and I'm trying to keep up with the new studies. A research program called All of Us is sequencing whole genomes from a diverse group of nearly 250,000 people in the US. They recently released some of their findings, including the discovery of more than 3.9 million new genetic variants in coding regions.[ref] I feel like I'm just covering a drop in the bucket on what will soon be known about our genes! It's exciting to know that so much more is coming our way.
Gratefully yours,
Debbie
Estrogen: How it is made and how we get rid of it
Key takeaways:
~ Estrogen is a hormone that turns on or off the transcription of estrogen-responsive genes, many of which are involved in cell growth.
~ The synthesis of estrogen and the breakdown of estrogen are tightly regulated.
~ Genetic variants in the estrogen metabolism pathways impact the risk of breast or prostate cancer.
~ Environmental estrogen mimics, such as from plastics, can also interact with the way your body metabolizes and balances estrogen levels.
Chronic Lyme: Genetic Susceptibility
Key takeaways:
~ Lyme disease is caused by bacteria in tick bites.
~ For some, the illness is limited and resolves easily, but for others, chronic and debilitating symptoms can last for years.
~ Genetic variants are part of why Lyme disease affects people differently. Genes also play a role in how well antibiotics work to cure Lyme.
What I've been reading:
1) Microplastics found in every human placenta tested
"In a study published February 17 in the journal Toxicological Sciences, a team led by Matthew Campen, PhD, Regents' Professor in the UNM Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, reported finding microplastics in all 62 of the placenta samples tested, with concentrations ranging from 6.5 to 790 micrograms per gram of tissue."
2) ADHD as an advantage for our foraging ancestors?
This study had participants play an online game that involved foraging for resources in different areas. The results showed that the participants who had scored high on the ADHD symptom test were more likely to move on more quickly to new areas to forage in the online game, which meant that resources weren't depleted in an area. This is actually the optimal foraging pattern, with the ADHD participants scoring the most resources. The conclusion was "Our findings suggest that ADHD attributes may confer foraging advantages in some environments and invite the possibility that this condition may reflect an adaptation favouring exploration over exploitation."