Preventing skin cancer - plus a new article on AHCY
Hi everyone,
Two topics for you this week:
an updated skin cancer genes article
an article on AHCY, which is part of the methylation cycle
First, the updated skin cancer article was inspired by finally having a warm, sunny day here in Montana. It hasn't snowed in a week -- must be summer :-)
More seriously, I updated the skin cancer article because I wanted to share some research that I recently came across.
Multiple studies show that an over-the-counter NSAID cream for arthritis, diclofenac, works for some people to clear actinic keratosis, which is the rough, dry red patches of skin that come with age and can turn into skin cancer. The clinical trials show that diclofenac completely clears actinic keratosis patches in about half of the people in the trials. While it may not work for everyone, it may be worth a try if your dermatologist has said, "We'll watch and wait to see if it turns into something".
To be clear: I'm not advocating using diclofenac instead of getting a funny skin spot looked at. Definitely get any strange-looking spots checked by an expert! However, I thought that eliminating pre-cancerous spots with an OTC cream is an important tidbit that everyone should know about as they get older.
The second article is about AHCY, a key gene in the methylation cycle. Several members have asked about AHCY variants because it is included in another company's genetic report. While the gene is interesting (and very important), the variants in the other company's report don't have any published research on them. The new article explains the important role of AHCY in the methylation cycle and gives members the opportunity to see their genetic data for the SNPs.
However, I want to highlight some information included in the Lifehacks section... SAMe is often recommended as a supplement for the methylation cycle. Importantly, a 2022 study showed that supplemental SAMe may disrupt the circadian rhythm of methylation reactions and end up producing toxic metabolites.[ref]
Stay curious,
~ Debbie Moon
AHCY Gene: Tying together methylation and homocysteine
Key takeaways:
~ AHCY converts SAH (s-adenosyl homocysteine) to homocysteine.
~ It is key to regulating methylation levels and SAMe levels.
~ AHCY interacts with circadian rhythm genes to regulate DNA methylation throughout the day.
~ Taking SAMe supplements may not effectively alter the SAM/SAH ratio.
Skin Cancer: Genetics and Prevention
Key takeaways:
~Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, with 1 million cases being diagnosed in the United States each year.[ref]
~ The three main types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, each has its own set of risks and preventative measures.
~ Sun exposure, genetic variants, age, and fair skin are all risk factors for skin cancer.
Latest on Longevity Lifehacks Substack:
Targeting cellular senescence with natural compounds
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What I've been reading:
1) From cup to clock: exploring coffee's role in slowing down biological aging
Higher coffee consumption is linked to a younger biological age in older individuals.
Related Genetic Lifehacks article: Caffeine sensitivity genes
This new study showed that both fibromyalgia and ME/CFS had increased biomarkers for leaky gut, such as higher zonulin and lipopolysaccharide levels. The conclusion: "Biomarkers of intestinal barrier function and inflammation were associated with autonomic dysfunction assessed by COMPASS-31 scores in FM and ME/CFS respectively."