Rosacea - Genetics, environmental factors, and solutions
Hi there,
This week's new article is on rosacea, which is a chronic inflammatory disorder that causes redness and visible small blood vessels on the face. Rosacea has different subtypes, including ocular rosacea, which causes irritated, red eyes, and a type that primarily affects older men, causing the skin on the nose to become red, thick, and bumpy.
While writing about rosacea, I was struck once again by the disconnect between the information on standard health websites vs. the actual findings from research studies. The top 10 search results for "what causes rosacea" all say that the cause is unknown. However, research studies over the past decade clearly lay out what goes on in the skin, the multiple underlying causes, and lots of possible solutions.
I'm emphasizing this point because I know that everyone has, or will have, a health concern for which the initial answer is "cause unknown.". I want to encourage you to keep digging and look beyond what the algorithms feed you as an answer.
Last week, I asked for suggestions on topics missing from the mood and brain section and received some excellent ideas. I've started working on articles on glutamate, excitatory neurotransmitters, and receptor function, so look for those soon.
Finally, I wanted to wish everyone a Happy DNA Day! (April 25th is National DNA Day to commemorate the discovery of the double helix and the human genome project.)
Stay curious,
Debbie
Rosacea, genetics, and solutions
Key Takeaways:
~ Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that causes facial redness.
~ Increased inflammatory activation due to various environmental factors causes redness, increased vascularization, and altered skin permeability.
~ Genetic variants associated with increased inflammation and vascularization are associated with rosacea.
~ Understanding your genetic susceptibility can help you find the right solution for your skin.
What I've been listening to:
Inconceivable Truth Podcast
This is a very well-done podcast by an investigative journalist looking into his own origin story. It starts with an AncestryDNA report showing that his ancestry is not at all what he thought it should be.
What I've been reading:
1) Intermittent Methionine Restriction for Longevity
Latest Longevity Lifehacks substack article on studies on methionine restriction for longevity - and why intermittent methionine restriction gives most of the benefits without the drawbacks.
I'm still reading and re-reading this study on melanin in the brain and the role it plays in neurological disorders. Melanin is the photopigment that gives skin and hair their color. It absorbs UV radiation and releases it as heat. But it is also found in certain spots in the brain, where it has an energy-storing role and interacts with electron transfer in ways that I don't understand.
