Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle Could Possible Reduce Genetic Risk of Cancer

    

    Dr. Guangfu Jin at Nanjing Medical University performed genetic research that determined that healthy lifestyle factors, including low body mass index, abstinence from smoking and drinking, and regular exercise correlated with a decrease in cancer, even in those with high genetic risk. Researchers are able to determine personalized estimates of an individual’s risk of developing cancer, which are known as polygenic risk scores (PRS), based on each unique combination of changes that influence cancer risk in areas of DNA. Jin and his colleagues calculated individual PRS for 16 cancers in men and 18 in women, and using statistical methods combined these scores into a single measure of cancer risk. 

    The results of this study show that patients with an unhealthy lifestyle and the highest quintile of genetic risk were 2.99 times more likely in men and 2.38 times more likely in women to develop cancer as opposed to those with a healthy lifestyle and the lowest quintile of genetic risk. Individuals at a high genetic risk of overall cancer can be identified by PRS, and this risk can be attenuated by adopting a favorable lifestyle. Jin stated that “these findings indicate that everyone should have a healthy lifestyle to decrease overall cancer risk”, which is particularly important to those with high genetic risk of cancer. Jin hopes that the CPRS were useful in improving one’s self-awareness of their inherited susceptibility to cancer and motivating them to maintain a favorable and healthy lifestyle.

Link to Study: https://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2021/07/29/0008-5472.CAN-21-0836

Link to Article: https://scitechdaily.com/healthy-lifestyle-may-help-mitigate-high-genetic-risk-of-cancer/

Who knew food would go so well with a side of GENETICS?

According to a new study that started in Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, researchers discovered that certain gene variants in the brain play a role in a person's food choice and dietary habits. This study was the first to use a group of healthy people of 818 men and women of European ancestry. The study focused on how the brain genes affect food intake and dietary preferences by first gathering information about their diet using a questionnaire. There have been previous studies that has identified genes connected to behaviors seen in eating disorders, but it was unclear how these genes could affect eating behaviors in healthy people. Researchers found that higher chocolate intake and larger waist size have been associated with certain forms of oxytocin receptor gene. They also found that vegetable and fiber intake are linked to an obesity-associated gene. These findings could help minimize the risks for common diseases by altering diet-based prevention and therapy to specific needs of an individual.
WOW! No wonder I eat a lot of food that aren't good for me. I actually learned a lot by reading this article. Food is an essential part of our lives and honestly, I can't think about a life without Wendy's, Chipotle, Wawa, candy, chips, etc. At least now, I can blame my bad eating habits on my genes (not really). This article opened my eyes to why we eat what our bodies intuitively tell us to eat. I would like to keep up-to-date on their future studies with groups of different characteristics and ethnicities to see how significant these findings really are. I like how the research was revolved around healthy people and how people should feel empowered using a personalized diet plan that could help improve their health. This study will help individuals understand their eating habits a little better and encourage them to monitor their diet. Although this study will continue to evolve, I still think that a small reason for bad eating habits come from the commercialization and advertisement of
food.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170424084056.htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3010958/

Rats Beat Aging

Did you ever wonder of you can beat the effects of aging? Well, a new study showed that mice can. Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine gave healthy mice a natural compound called NMN. Tests have shown that these mice had more energy and reduced typical signs of aging. For example, weight gain, decrease in physical activity and loss of insulin sensitivity. Thus, older rats act like younger ones. Scientists believe that this can help humans remain healthier as they age since mice cells and human cells rely on the same process for energy production. When one ages, they lose the ability to produce NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). Studies have shown that this tissue decreases in mice as they age. However, giving NAD to mice is ineffective. Therefore, scientists looked one step earlier in the NAD supply chain to find NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide). This method can potentially reduce aging in humans and/or allow aging to occur in a more healthy way.

Diet Can Override Genetics

Researchers have determined that the 9p21 gene greatly increases an individual's risk of having heart disease.  According to Science Daily, individuals who unfortunately inherit this gene are not necessarily doomed. McGill University states a diet rich in fruits and vegetables substantially reduces the effects of the 9p21 gene.  27,000 individuals from European, South Asian, Chinese, Latin American and Arab countries were observed.  The individuals with the gene 9p21 who ate healthy had the equivalent risk to having a heart attack as an individual without the gene who ate an average diet.  The NY Daily News reports the same findings as Science Daily.  The NY Daily News reports that 20% of people carry the 9p21 gene; however, "Healthy eating can help fight genetic predisposition".  It is encouraging to realize that various heart diseases could be avoided despite poor genetics.  In my opinion a healthy diet could greatly reduce the risk of various diseases despite inheriting "bad genes".  I encourage those of you with a poor diet to consider healthier alternatives.