36 replies to this topic

[alternativista]

Phenotype vs genotype vs epigenotype
The phenotype is someone's appearance which is determined by the genotype (stable and heritable) and the environment (nutrition and other lifestyle factors) which give place to the epigenotype (heritable, labile and rapid)


Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene activity that do not involve alterations to the genetic code but still get passed down to at least one successive generation.

In other words, phenotype is your genes plus what you do to yourself. Genes can be switched on and off. Epigenetics are things you trigger by what you do to yourself that can be passed on to your kids.

Most of these articles focus on how the changes that occur due to your environment and what you do to yourself, can be passed down to your kids. And what your parents did, may have been passed down to you. So maybe they didn't get acne, but things they did changed their epigenotype which was pass to you.

Why Your DNA Isn't Your Destiny
http://www.time.com/...1951968,00.html


Epigenetics: DNA Isn’t Everything
http://www.scienceda...90412081315.htm

Epigenetics: 100 Reasons To Change The Way We Think About Genetics
http://www.scienceda...90518111723.htm

Traumatizing Your DNA: Researcher Warns That It Isn't 'All in the Genes'
http://www.scienceda...10323104737.htm
'Epigenetic research suggests that the effects of stress and environmental pollution can be passed on to future generations without any obvious change or mutation in our DNA. The problem, Prof. Jablonka points out, is that we have no idea of the extent these effects will have on the human genome of the future.' and a bunch more stuff about stress and environmental pollution--pesticides and what not.



Wikipedia:
Epigenetics is the study of changes produced in gene expression caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence –hence the name epi- (Greek: επί- over, above) -genetics. Examples of such changes might be DNA methylation or histone acetylation, both of which serve to suppress gene expression without altering the sequence of the silenced genes.

These changes may remain through cell divisions for the remainder of the cell's life and may also last for multiple generations. However, there is no change in the underlying DNA sequence of the organism;[1] instead, non-genetic factors cause the organism's genes to behave (or "express themselves") differently.[2]

Edited by alternativista, 15 June 2012 - 06:34 AM.

[ayla]

very interesting, thanks for posting this!

[uncle buck]

This can be seen as a positive thing in a weird, twisted way. If our core DNA isn't altered by our parents shit habits, all we're really seeing is a stronger reaction to things, which just helps us identify what's killing us and stop it.

[GreenEyes33]

I decided to google the word Epigenetics after today's email from Mercola that was all about epigenetics and emotions.

Phenotype vs genotype vs epigenotype
The phenotype is someone's appearance which is determined by the genotype (stable and heritable) and the environment (nutrition and other lifestyle factors) which give place to the epigenotype (heritable, labile and rapid)

In other words, phenotype is your genes plus what you do to yourself.

Most of these articles focus on how the changes that occur due to your environment and what you do to yourself, can be passed down to your kids. And what your parents did, may have been passed down to you. So maybe they didn't get acne, but things they did changed their epigenotype which was pass to you.

Why Your DNA Isn't Your Destiny
http://www.time.com/...1951968,00.html

epigenetics is the study of changes in gene activity that do not involve alterations to the genetic code but still get passed down to at least one successive generation.

Epigenetics: DNA Isn�€™t Everything
http://www.scienceda...90412081315.htm

Epigenetics: 100 Reasons To Change The Way We Think About Genetics
http://www.scienceda...90518111723.htm

Traumatizing Your DNA: Researcher Warns That It Isn't 'All in the Genes'
http://www.scienceda...10323104737.htm
'Epigenetic research suggests that the effects of stress and environmental pollution can be passed on to future generations without any obvious change or mutation in our DNA. The problem, Prof. Jablonka points out, is that we have no idea of the extent these effects will have on the human genome of the future.' and a bunch more stuff about stress and environmental pollution--pesticides and what not.



Wikipedia:
Epigenetics is the study of changes produced in gene expression caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence �€“hence the name epi- (Greek: ε�€ί- over, above) -genetics. Examples of such changes might be DNA methylation or histone acetylation, both of which serve to suppress gene expression without altering the sequence of the silenced genes.

These changes may remain through cell divisions for the remainder of the cell's life and may also last for multiple generations. However, there is no change in the underlying DNA sequence of the organism;[1] instead, non-genetic factors cause the organism's genes to behave (or "express themselves") differently.[2]

I've heard this theory before and really do believe it. Now I wish I had an entire book on it!

[tim12]

Great Post! Yes, stress takes such a toll on us. I'm rereading Dr.Murad's "The Water Secret," mainly for it's section on the effects of environmental stress, and how it encourages free radical damage, and ultimately inflammation an disease. Stress management is such a crucial tool to true health in my opinion. I will be sure to share anything like studies that he has conducted.

And off topic, I know any gamers here will be thinking "Assassin's Creed "

[Thehoper]

Wonder what effect alcohol has.. my dad has always been an alcoholic and so was his dad. I can barely have alcohol now as it makes my face very red/flushed, seems like a lot of inflammation is going on.

[GreenEyes33]

Wonder what effect alcohol has.. my dad has always been an alcoholic and so was his dad. I can barely have alcohol now as it makes my face very red/flushed, seems like a lot of inflammation is going on.

I'm sure alcohol has an effect. My grandfather was a very bad alcoholic and my mum ended up experiencing very early menopause. The specialist told her there was a correlation between early menopause and parental alcoholics pre-conception.

[RockingRedhead]

I'm reading Deep Nutrition and there is a lot about epigenetics and how what happens to you affects you, your children,AND your grandchildren, etc. But the message was, you CAN change your "genetic destiny" (the words she used)via epigentics by manipulating your diet and lifestyle for the better.

[mystril]

agree. stress can lead to so many unwanted effects on our bodies.

i still can't comprehend why being in rush hour & work is so similar to stress effect caused running from a brown bear in cavemen times.

and thats 8-12hrs a day. 5-6 days a week.

[alternativista]

For the first 3/4ths of the last century, nearly everyone smoked. It was so common that you'd see talk show hosts and news anchors smoking while on camera. And I have a set of party/snack dishes from the 50s that have a section right there on the plate that is an ash tray. They were very common, I was stunned the first time I saw one and my mother told me what that section with the notch was for, but now I see them in antique stores all the time. What did that do to the next generation?

Everyone also drank then and they didn't know smoking and drinking affected fetuses.

And about the time people quit smoking so much, they started using high fructose corn syrup and selling soft drinks in 2-liter plastic bottles. Before that, most food was sold in glass and cardboard cartons. There was also a shift from tin to aluminum cans.

Edited by alternativista, 30 June 2011 - 09:05 AM.

[tim12]

For the first 3/4ths of the last century, nearly everyone smoked. It was so common that you'd see talk show hosts and news anchors smoking while on camera. And I have a set of party/snack dishes from the 50s that have section right there on the plate that is an ash tray. They were very common, I see them in antique stores all the time. What did that do to the next generation? Everyone drank then and they didn't know smoking and drinking affected fetuses.

And about the time people quit smoking so much, they started using high fructose corn syrup and selling soft drinks in 2-liter bottles.

Kind of on the same topic, coming out of high school, I'd say about 15% of my friends had 1-2 energy drinks a day. Energy drinks mixed with alcohol are also popular in college.

[alternativista]

Acne Gene

While I have not seen the studies that found that the tendency towards hyperkeratinization is genetic, absolutely everything you find about hyperkeratinization and any condition that involves hyperkeratinization in the skin or elsewhere states that the tendency is genetic. It seems to be a given accepted by every researcher doing any research on any condition involving hyperkeratinization.

And here's a patent request involving an enzyme encoded by gene UGCG that is involved in keratinocyte differentiation. They want to use it as a treatment for acne and any other condition that involves hyperkeratinization:

http://www.freshpate...20100028878.php

More info on UGCG: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UGCG

And here: http://www.genecards...sp.pl?gene=UGCG Where it includes a chart with its genomic location.

And under Epigenetics it says:
'QIAGEN PyroMark CpG Assay predesigned Pyrosequencing DNA Methylation assays for UGCG' I, of course, have no idea what that means, but it seems those that do have identified something.

Edited by alternativista, 27 March 2012 - 01:50 PM.

[alternativista]

So I was looking at the wikipedia entries on epigenetics to try and see if I can figure out what might happen to change our DNA related to acne. And of course, I can't. It has a lot to do with methylation and I wish the guy who always talked about methylation and some of us being under-methylators was around... And i think it has to do with inflammatory responses because I think I recognize lots of words that describe technical stuff involved with inflammatory response including those involving the immune system.

But anyway, there was this interesting entry:

Transgenerational epigenetic observations

See main article Transgenerational epigenetics

Marcus Pembrey and colleagues also observed in the Överkalix study that the paternal (but not maternal) grandsons [46] of Swedish men who were exposed during preadolescence to famine in the 19th century were less likely to die of cardiovascular disease; if food was plentiful then diabetes mortality in the grandchildren increased, suggesting that this was a transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.[47] The opposite effect was observed for females—the paternal (but not maternal) granddaughters of women who experienced famine while in the womb (and therefore while their eggs were being formed) lived shorter lives on average.[48]

So those men who survived famine passed on the phenotype that would make their male descendent's adapted to survive famine and thus prone to diabetes in a land of way too much food.

And this:

Postnatal development

Increasing evidence is revealing a role of methylation in the interaction of environmental factors with genetic expression. Differences in maternal care during the first 6 days of life in the rat induce differential methylation patterns in some promoter regions, thus influencing gene expression.[7] Furthermore, even-more-dynamic processes such as interleukin signaling have been shown to be regulated by methylation.[8]

Research in humans has shown that repeated high level activation of the body’s stress system, especially in early childhood, can alter methylation processes and lead to changes in the chemistry of the individual’s DNA. The chemical changes can disable genes and prevent the brain from properly regulating its response to stress. Researchers and clinicians have drawn a link between this neurochemical disregulation and the development of chronic health problems such as depression, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease.

Edited by alternativista, 21 June 2011 - 05:38 PM.

[alternativista]

Here's something. I don't know that it causes any epigenetic changes, but it does affect the gene pool.

Birth control pills throw off a woman's natural ability to use pheromes to choose the best mate for her to improve the genes of her offspring. Which I'd been hearing about for a number of years, usually just referring to attraction. We are supposed to be attracted to compatible mates. BCPs might make us marry someone we wouldn't even find attractive when not on BCPs.

And recent Wall street Journal article stressed that one of these things we should naturally be 'looking for' is someone with a different immune system from ours, so that will increase the variety of immunities in offspring making us healthier.
http://online.wsj.co...y of attraction


Mercola article on the pherome thing and other dangers of oral contraceptives and messing with hormones: http://articles.merc...references.aspx

Edited by alternativista, 08 July 2011 - 04:03 PM.

[alternativista]

^Perhaps the above is a factor in the huge increase in allergies in children?

[alternativista]

Probably not technically epigenetics, but it's a lifestyle/health thing that can screw up your kids...

Possible cause of Autism which has increased like tenfold in the past few decades. When I was a kid, I recall it being a big concern, but like one in 1,000 or more kids got it. Now it's like 1 in 100. Or worse. Apparently there's some controversy over the statistics and who to count.

So a study on twins with autism found no higher rate of occurrence in identical twins than fraternal, indicating that it isn't genetic. Which it was pretty much assumed anyway for various reasons.

And a Russian doctor that treats autistic kids says it's caused by inflammation in the brain caused by gut flora imbalance inherited from the parent.

Dr. Campbell is convinced that autistic children are in fact born with perfectly normal brains and perfectly normal sensory organs, but abnormal gut flora, passed on from their mother and father, leads to devastating toxicity.

She explains:

"What happens in these children [is that] they do not develop normal gut flora from birth … Gut flora is a hugely important part of our human physiology. Recently research in Scandinavia has demonstrated that 90 percent of all cells and all genetic material in a human body is our own gut flora. We are just a shell… a habitat for this mass of microbes inside us. We ignore them at our own peril.

As a result, their digestive system -- instead of being a source of nourishment for these children-- becomes a major source of toxicity.

...Dr. Campbell discovered that a large percentage of mothers of autistic children were bottle-fed. "[many] mothers of autistic children were born at the time when formulas just came in, a large percent of them were not breastfed. So these women acquire slightly abnormal gut flora from their moms at birth, then they were not breastfed so the abnormalities in their gut flora deepened. Then throughout their childhood they received many courses of antibiotics.

Ever since antibiotics were prescribed particularly from the 50s and 60s, they were prescribed a suite for every cough and sneeze. They really over prescribed antibiotics.And with every course of antibiotics, the abnormalities in the gut flora would get deeper and deeper in these girls.

And then at the age of 15, 16 these ladies were put on a contraceptive pill. Contraceptive pills have a devastating effect on the gut flora. Nowadays ladies are taking it for quite a few years before they're ready to start their family.

To that you can add the junk food, all the processed carbohydrates that people are consuming nowadays. These sorts of foods are almost exclusively feed pathogens in the digestive system allowing them to proliferate. Many of these modern factors created a whole plethora of young ladies in our modern world who have got quite deeply abnormal gut flora by the time they are ready to have their first child."

I don't know how gut flora gets passed on from the father though. That makes the theory sound dubious. Although, that wasn't a quote from the doctor so may have been a mistake by the author of the article.

Anyway, she says these children suffer from Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) with impaired immune systems and are very much at risk from vaccinations. So there's the connection with vaccines the parents are so sure exists.

From Mercola's newsletter: http://articles.merc...-of-autism.aspx

Edited by alternativista, 20 August 2011 - 04:04 PM.

[datsnotmyname]

Great stuff, thanks for sharing!

[TheAssassin]

I posted this in another thread if anyone is interested.

[alternativista]

Thanks. I record nova on my DVR but rarely get around to watching it. And the soundcard on my notebook has died so I can't hear the video on this.

Here's a link to the transcript:
http://www.pbs.org/w...pigenetics.html

Here's a bit with some interesting comments. They are talking about a pair of genetically identical mice in which only one is obese. The obese ones are also yellow while the thin ones are brown.

these identical mice both have a particular gene, called agouti, but in the yellow mouse it stays on all the time, causing obesity.

So what accounts for the thin mouse? Exercise? Atkins? No, a tiny chemical tag of carbon and hydrogen, called a methyl group, has affixed to the agouti gene, shutting it down. Living creatures possess millions of tags like these. Some, like methyl groups, attach to genes directly, inhibiting their function. Other types grab the proteins, called histones, around which genes coil, and tighten or loosen them to control gene expression. Distinct methylation and histone patterns exist in every cell, constituting a sort of second genome, the epigenome.

RANDY JIRTLE: Epigenetics literally translates into just meaning "above the genome." So if you would think, for example, of the genome as being like a computer, the hardware of a computer, the epigenome would be like the software that tells the computer when to work, how to work, and how much.

NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: In fact, it's the epigenome that tells our cells what sort of cells they should be. Skin? Hair? Heart? You see, all these cells have the same genes. But their epigenomes silence the unneeded ones to make cells different from one another. Epigenetic instructions pass on as cells divide, but they're not necessarily permanent. Researchers think they can change, especially during critical periods like puberty or pregnancy.

Jirtle's mice reveal how the epigenome can be altered. To produce thin, brown mice instead of fat, yellow ones, he feeds pregnant mothers a diet rich in methyl groups to form the tags that can turn genes off.

RANDY JIRTLE: And I think you can see that we dramatically shifted the coat color and we get many, many more brown animals.

NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: And that matters because your coat color is a tracer, is an indicator of the fact that you have turned off that gene?

RANDY JIRTLE: That's right.

NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: This epigenetic fix was also inherited by the next generation of mice, regardless of what their mothers ate. And when an environmental toxin was added to the diet instead of nutrients, more yellow babies were born, doomed to grow fat and sick like their mothers. It seems to me, this has profound implications for our health.

RANDY JIRTLE: It does, for human health. If there are genes like this in humans, basically, what you eat can affect your future generations. So you're not only what you eat, but potentially what your mother ate, and possibly even what your grandparents ate.

And then they go on to talk about cancers in humans.

Edited by alternativista, 22 August 2011 - 08:52 AM.

[alternativista]

New term for me: -- Nutrigenomics or nutritional genomics --the study of the effects of foods and food constituents on gene expression.

Although most of the info I've found is more about how your genes affect what food does to you, your ability to metabolize it, how they make you more prone to suffer various ill effects from your diet habits and such. Not so much about what food does to your genes. Which is odd, because we already have examples of epigenitic changes such as adaptations to famine making you prone to development of Type II diabetes. And the adaptation that lets Northern European types digest lactose into adulthood is a likely example.

To prevent the development of disease, nutrition research is investigating how nutrition can optimize and maintain cellular, tissue, organ and whole body homeostasis. This requires understanding how nutrients act at the molecular level. This involves a multitude of nutrient-related interactions at the gene, protein and metabolic levels. As a result, nutrition research has shifted from epidemiology and physiology to molecular biology and genetics[2] and nutrigenomics was born.

I accidentally searched on Amazon rather than google and these are the search results:

Forever Young: The Science of Nutrigenomics for Glowing, Wrinkle-Free Skin and Radiant Health at Every Age by Nicholas Perricone

The Optimal Health Revolution: How Inflammation Is the Root Cause of the Biggest Killers and How the Cutting-edge Science of Nutrigenomics Can Transform Your Long-term Health by Duke Johnson

'Switched On' - Harnessing the Power of Nutrigenomics to Optimise Your Health by Christine Houghton (Kindle Edition - Oct 2, 2010) - Kindle eBook

Nutrigenomics and Proteomics in Health and Disease: Food Factors and Gene Interactions by Yoshinori Mine PhD, Kazuo Miyashita and Fereidoon Shahidi (Hardcover - Mar 31, 2009)

Personalized Nutrition: Translating Nutrigenetic/Nutrige... Research into Dietary Guidelines (World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics) by Artemis P. Simopoulos and John A. Milner (Hardcover - May 3, 2010).

Nutrigenomics (Oxidative Stress and Disease)

And of course, there's already plenty of gimicky diets out there.