2021: The Year of Epigenetics and Biological Aging
BRCA1/2 gene mutations, not included in direct-to-consumer genetic testing, are associated with higher rates of ovarian cancer (17-44%) and breast cancer (69-72%). A new study argues that routine testing for these gene vulnerabilities could prevent up to an estimated 2,666 cases of breast cancer per million women, and up to 449 ovarian cancer cases per million women.
Not considered in this study is the important epigenetic mutations on the BRCA genes, brought about by excessive methylation on that DNA region that behaves the same way as a gene mutation would, hampering gene function and increases the risk for those cancers. BRCA genes are important anti-tumor genes, and their reduced activity is what increases cancer risk.
It’s possible that the methylation adaptogens that we refer to often, are useful here. These powerful plant flavonoid compounds, such as EGCG and sulforaphane, work selectively on the epigenome, ‘normalizing’ regions of hypermethylation, and potentially improving anti-tumor gene activity.
BRCA Gene Mutations and Hypermethylation – The Flavonoid Potential
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Hello Dr. Fitzgerald,
Thanks for bringing this information forward. Hypermethylation. Disruption of gene activity. Knowing this, should a patient REDUCE consumption of methylating compounds along with using methylation-normalizing agents? For optimizing health, how do we create a balanced methylation level in our body? I hope my question is not too elementary, but I need to know the basics.
Sincerely,
Andre
You know, Andre-
Its a case-by-case thing. As we age a couple of seemingly paradoxical happenings occur: 1: total body methylation declines, including DNA methylation. Simultaneously, however, regions of DNA become abnormally methylated: either hypo or hyper. Tumor suppressor genes move towards hypermethylation and inhibition as we age….. the solution is two fold: we need loads of methyl donor foods in our diet AND we need loads of the methylation adaptogens in our diet. We need BOTH. And in some cases, we should be using methyl donor supplements- but we probably want to use them with a little more caution (and with evidence of need) that previously. This is particularly true as we age. Additionally, we need the nutrients that work on active demethylation, including vitamin C and vitamin A…. I hope this helps– DrKF