alcohol Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Booze-Proof Hornets Could Hold Key to Studying Alcoholism

The AHA! Team — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 06:15:10 +0000

Zachy Hennessey via Israel21c – Researchers find that hornets have several copies of the gene responsible for producing the enzyme that breaks down alcohol. A new discovery from researchers at Tel Aviv University has identified a surprising champion of alcohol tolerance – the Oriental hornet. In their recently-published study, the researchers put the Oriental hornet in the spotlight, where it stands alone — and completely sober — as the only known animal capable of consuming high concentrations of alcohol continuously without experiencing any adverse effects. This finding could revolutionize scientists’ approach to alcohol-related research. “This is a remarkable animal that shows no signs of intoxication or illness even after ingesting huge amounts of alcohol,” notes the research team, spearheaded by Sofia Bouchebti and Prof. Eran Levin at TAU’s School of Zoology and Steinhardt Museum of Natural History. Oriental hornets could potentially be used to develop new models for studying alcoholism and the metabolism of alcohol. What makes this discovery particularly striking is how it contrasts with other species’ reactions to alcohol. While alcohol naturally occurs in nature through the fermentation of sugars by yeasts and bacteria in ripe fruits and nectar, most animals — including humans — can’t handle significant amounts without serious consequences, such as impeded balance and embarrassing phone calls. Even fruit flies, which commonly dine upon fermenting fruits, show signs of intoxication after a nibble too many (proving that nature has a particularly cruel sense of humor and that the best things in life are out to kill us). Incredible ability to handle alcohol So, what makes the hornets able to drink the rest of the animal kingdom under the table? To find this out, the research team conducted a series of increasingly ambitious experiments to test the hornets’ extraordinary capabilities. In perhaps the most striking demonstration, hornets were given a diet consisting of 80 percent alcohol — a concentration that would be lethal to most organisms (though this is still being rigorously tested by college students). Remarkably, these insects not only survived but showed no behavioral changes or health impacts throughout their normal three-month lifespan. Levin explains the key to the puzzle, discovered via analysis of the hornet’s genome: “The hornet possesses several copies of the gene responsible for producing the enzyme that breaks down alcohol; this genetic adaptation may be related to their incredible ability to handle alcohol.” The evolution of this unique ability might be rooted in the hornets’ longstanding relationship with yeasts. The insects naturally harbor yeasts in their digestive systems, creating a symbiotic relationship that may have driven their adaptation to alcohol tolerance. With alcohol-related deaths accounting for 5.3% of global mortality, the implications of this research could make for more than an interesting “did you know” at the next social function you attend. “We believe that, following our research, Oriental hornets could potentially be used to develop new models for studying alcoholism and the metabolism of alcohol,” Levin concludes. To read the original article click here.

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Researchers Discover Genetic Connections to Alcohol Consumption

The AHA! Team — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 08:22:49 +0000

University of California San Diego via News-Medical – A research group centered at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine has drilled deep into a dataset of over 3 million individuals compiled by the direct-to-consumer genetics company 23andMe, Inc., and found intriguing connections between genetic factors influencing alcohol consumption and their relationship with other disorders. A research group centered at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine has drilled deep into a dataset of over 3 million individuals compiled by the direct-to-consumer genetics company 23andMe, Inc., and found intriguing connections between genetic factors influencing alcohol consumption and their relationship with other disorders. The study was recently published in the Lancet eBioMedicine. Sandra Sanchez-Roige, Ph.D., corresponding author and associate professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry, explained that the study used genetic data to broadly classify individuals as being European, Latin American and African American. Such classifications “are needed to avoid a statistical genetics pitfall called population stratification,” noted co-author Abraham A. Palmer, Ph.D., professor and vice chair for basic research in the psychiatry department. Researchers analyzed genetic data from the 3 million 23andMe research participants The researchers analyzed genetic data from the 3 million 23andMe research participants, focusing on three specific little snippets of DNA known as single-nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs. Sanchez-Roige explained that variants, or alleles, of these particular SNPs are “protective” against a variety of alcohol behaviors, from excessive alcohol drinking to alcohol use disorder. One of the alcohol-protective variants they considered is very rare: the most prevalent among the three alleles found in the study showed up in 232 individuals of the 2,619,939 European cohort, 29 of the 446,646 Latin American cohort and in 7 of the 146,776 African American cohort; others are much more common. These variants affect how the body metabolizes ethanol – the intoxicating chemical in alcoholic beverages. “The people who have the minor allele variant of the SNP convert ethanol to acetaldehyde very rapidly. And that causes a lot of negative effects.” – Sandra Sanchez-Roige, Ph.D., corresponding author and associate professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry She went on to say that the resulting nausea eclipses any pleasurable effects of alcohol – think of a bad hangover that sets in almost immediately. “These variants are primarily associated with how much someone may consume alcohol,” she said. “And they also tend to prevent alcohol use disorder, because these variants are primarily associated with the quantity of alcohol someone may drink.” Sanchez-Roige explained that the SNP variants’ influence on alcohol consumption are well researched, but her group took a “hypothesis-free” approach to the 23andMe dataset, which contains survey data on thousands of traits and behaviors. The researchers wanted to find out if the three SNP variants might have any other effects beyond alcohol consumption. Sanchez-Roige and Palmer noted that their group has developed a 10-year partnership with 23andMe that has focused on numerous traits, especially those with relevance for addiction. This work is the basis of an academic collaboration through the 23andMe Research Program. They data-mined the analyses of DNA from saliva samples submitted by consenting 23andMe research participants, as well as the responses to the surveys of health and behavior available from the 23andMe database, and found a constellation of associations, not necessarily connected with alcohol. Individuals with the alcohol-protecting alleles had generally better health, including less chronic fatigue and needing less daily assistance with daily tasks. But the paper notes individuals with the alcohol-protective alleles also had worse health outcomes in certain areas: more lifetime tobacco use, more emotional eating, more Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism. Individuals with the alcohol-protective alleles also reported totally unexpected differences, such as more malaria, more myopia and several cancers, particularly more skin cancer and lung cancer, and more migraine with aura. Sanchez-Roige acknowledged that there is a chicken-and-egg aspect to their findings. For example: Cardiovascular disease is just one of a number of maladies known to be associated with alcohol consumption. “So is alcohol consumption leading to these conditions?” she asks. Palmer finishes the thought: “Or do these genetic differences influence traits like malaria and skin cancer in a manner that is independent of alcohol consumption?” Sanchez-Roige said that such broad, hypothesis-free studies are only possible if researchers have access to very large sets of data. Many datasets, including the one used in the study, rely heavily on individuals with European ancestry. “It is important to include individuals from different ancestral backgrounds in genetic studies because it provides a more complete understanding of the genetic basis of alcohol behaviors and other conditions, all of which contributes to a more inclusive and accurate understanding of human health,” she said. “The study of only one group of genetically similar individuals (for example, individuals of shared European ancestry) could worsen health disparities by aiding discoveries that will disproportionately benefit only that population.” She said their study opens numerous doors for future research, chasing down possible connections between the alcohol-protective alleles and conditions that have no apparent connection with alcohol consumption. “Understanding the underlying mechanisms of these effects could have implications for treatments and preventative medicine,” Sanchez-Roige noted. Co-authors on the paper from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry are Mariela V. Jennings, Natasia S. Courchesne-Krak, Renata B. Cupertino and Sevim B. Bianchi. Sandra Sanchez-Roige is also associated with the Department of Medicine, Division of Genetic Medicine, Vanderbilt University. Other co-authors are: José Jaime Martínez-Magaña, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Human Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine; Laura Vilar-Ribó, Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Alexander S. Hatoum, Department of Psychology & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis; Elizabeth G. Atkinson, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Paola Giusti-Rodriguez, Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida College of Medicine; Janitza L. Montalvo-Ortiz, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Human Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, National Center of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA CT Healthcare Center; Joel Gelernter, VA CT Healthcare Center, Department of Psychiatry, West Haven CT; and Departments of Psychiatry, Genetics & Neuroscience, Yale Univ. School of Medicine; María Soler Artigas, Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Mental Health, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona; Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid; and Department of Genetics, Microbiology, and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona; Howard J. Edenberg, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine; and the 23andMe Inc. Research Team, including Sarah L. Elson and Pierre Fontanillas. The study was funded, in part, by Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program grants T32IR5226 and 28IR-0070, National Institute of Health (NIH) National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) DP1DA054394, and NIH National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) R25MH081482. Source: University of California San Diego Journal reference: Jennings, M. V., et al. (2024) A phenome-wide association and Mendelian randomisation study of alcohol use variants in a diverse cohort comprising over 3 million individuals. Lancet eBioMedicine. doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105086. To read the original article click here.

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Great NEWS: Fruits and Veggies That Actually Destroy Cancer Cells

AHA Publisher — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 07:00:58 +0000

Karen Sanders via NaturalHealth365 – In the United States, cancer – second only to heart disease as a leading cause of death – will claim the lives of over 600,000 people, according to current statistics from the National Institutes of Health. Yet, sadly – to this day, most people remain uninformed about the true power of fruit and veggies to stop cancer cell growth and premature death. No doubt, this will come as no surprise to anyone aware of the increase in pesticide/herbicide usage on our farm lands; the consumption of too many (heavily processed) junk foods and dangerous medications; the ever-expanding exposure to wireless (microwave) radiation; and the constant application of chemtrail toxins in the sky. Of course, the proliferation of highly-processed, sugary foods loaded with genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) is the major reason why we see so much suffering in this world. But, let’s just say the obvious: According to many qualified healthcare providers, the vast majority of these deaths – as well as the 1.8 million new cases that will be diagnosed in 2020 – are preventable. We must do everything in our power to avoid any threat to our health and happiness. What could be more important than that? Where Are the Veggies?! It’s Time to Expose the “800 Pound Gorilla” in the Room In an article published in Pharmaceutical Research, the authors – researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center – assert that only 5 to 10 percent of cancers can be attributed to genetic causes; lifestyle and environmental factors account for the rest. Of the factors believed to contribute to cancer, which include smoking, poor diet, environmental pollutants, sun exposure, obesity, infections, stress, alcohol and physical inactivity, diet is one of the most significant, accounting for roughly a third of many types of cancer, and up to 70 percent of colorectal cancers. These statistics are actually cause for hope – diet is one thing over which you have complete control. To be perfectly clear, nothing can be more important for avoiding cancer cell growth than eating a healthy (organic) diet filled with locally-grown fruits and veggies. Bright Coloration of Fruits and Vegetables Are a Tip-Off to Their Protective Qualities Eating a good amount of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables; a modest amount of high quality animal foods and select grains like quinoa or millet and restricting overall calorie intake can help you to dramatically reduce your cancer risk. Due to their beneficial natural pigments, fruits and vegetables tend to be brightly or deeply colored – picture the brilliant orange of carrots and tangerines, the vibrant red of tomatoes, the intense green of broccoli, and the rich indigo of blueberries. With some notable exceptions – such as onions and garlic – life-prolonging fruits and vegetables are recognizable by their eye-catching hues. Naturally, due to social pressures or ‘old’ habits, it can sometimes be a challenge to eat healthy – but the rewards are worth the effort. Fruits and Vegetables Are Loaded with Phytochemicals to Prevent Cancer Researchers tell us that there are as many as 25,000 different plant chemicals, many of which are anti-carcinogenic; carotenoids, quercetin, resveratrol, indole-3-carbinol and sulfurophane are among the most well-studied – and potent. Not only are these compounds a safe way of targeting multiple cell-signaling pathways, but they perform an important role in reducing inflammation, now acknowledged to be at the root of many life-threatening diseases, including cancer. One of the ways phytochemicals target cancer is by blocking production of nuclear factor kappa b cells. These cells, also known as NF-kB, are an inflammatory marker; biochemists believe that incorrect regulation of NF-kB by the body is associated with the development of cancer. What Is So Special About Carotenoids? Carotenoids, a group of plant pigments, are both anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic. Beta-carotene, found in carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes and beet greens, is a provitamin that the body turns into the antioxidant vitamin A. Lycopene, a carotenoid found in tomatoes, grapefruit and watermelon, has been demonstrated in animal and human studies to be a powerful cancer fighter, capable of scavenging free radicals – pumping up the body’s detoxification systems and inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. Other carotenoids include lutein, zeaxanthin, capsanthin, crocetin and phytoene. According to a 2002 scientific review of studies published in Cancer Metastasis Review, some of these may have cancer-preventing abilities to surpass even that of beta-carotene and lycopene; research is ongoing. How Can Quercetin Help to Prevent Cancer? A flavonoid found in citrus fruits, parsley, apples, onions, grapes, and various types of berries, quercetin is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and apoptopic – meaning it can induce programmed cell death in cancer cells. Quercetin also blocks NF-kB activation, and has been found in animal studies to prevent colon and lung cancer. Onions, a particularly rich source of quercetin, have been credited by researchers with potency against squamous cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer. Researchers are particularly impressed with the way quercetin prevents damage to cell DNA by protecting strands from breakage. Fruit and Dark Chocolate Can Inhibit Inflammation A polyphenolic compound found in grapes, blueberries and dark chocolate, resveratrol acts against cancers of the breast, prostate, stomach, pancreas and colon. Like quercetin, resveratrol can induce apoptosis, suppress NF-kB activation, and inhibit the growth and metastasis of cancer cells. It also suppresses nitric oxide synthase, inhibits the inflammatory substances COX-2 and lipoxygenase, and impedes tumors by reducing their ability to grow blood vessels. In addition, resveratrol suppresses adhesion molecules, making platelets in blood less likely to clump together – thereby reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. Researchers are currently working to create versions of resveratrol with increased bioavailability – in other words, the capacity to be absorbed and used by the body – for applications in treating cancer. Indole-3 Carbinol Blocks Cancer Cell Growth A flavonoid found in broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower, indole-3-carbinole fights cancer by inducing enzymes that help to metabolize carcinogens. Like other beneficial phytochemicals, this cancer-fighter modulates nuclear transcription factors. In test tube studies, indole-3-carbinol has been shown to inhibit the invasion of normal tissue by invasive cancer cells. So, we’ve got another good reason to eat our veggies. Concerned About Cancer? Eat Lots of Cruciferous Vegetables Like indole-3-carbinol, sulfurophane is found in cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Cell and animal studies have attested to strong anticancer effects. Researchers have found that sulfurophane induces phase-2 enzymes that detoxify carcinogens. In addition, sulfurophane induces apoptosis, inhibits NF-kB, and scavenges free radicals. The bottom line: Nature has reserved the brightest colors in her palette to ornament those foods that do the most to protect us from cancer and other diseases. Unlike the protocol of traffic lights, the colors red, yellow and green – when found in fresh, organic fruits and vegetables – all signal “Go.” Sources for this article include: Cancer.gov, NIH.gov, NIH.gov, Livescience.com To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Drinking Patterns Reprogram Circadian Metabolism in the Liver

AHA Publisher — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 08:00:00 +0000

University of California, Irvine via News Medical-Net – Drinking alcohol is a widespread habit in modern society and can have serious metabolic consequences. Recent studies have uncovered the interplay between nutrition, metabolism and circadian rhythms. But, until now, little has been done to understand the effects of alcohol consumption on circadian metabolism. The study, titled, “Distinct Metabolic Adaptation of Liver Circadian Pathways to Acute and Chronic Patterns of Alcohol Intake,” was published today in Proceedings of National Academies of Science. For the study, researchers used mice to analyze the effects of binge and chronic exposure to ethanol. They revealed that distinct drinking patterns elicit profoundly different effects through distinct cellular pathways, leading to differential adaptation of hepatic circadian metabolism. “Our results showed how drinking patterns reprogrammed circadian metabolism in the liver. By understanding how the circadian process is involved in alcoholic liver disease, we can begin to target circadian therapeutics to develop better treatments.” (Paolo Sassone-Corsi, director of the UCI School of Medicine Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism and senior author of the study.) In earlier studies, Sassone-Corsi examined how circadian clocks can be rewired by such factors as sleep deprivation, diet and exercise. He has also discovered that the circadian clock in the liver has intrinsic functions that are independent from other organs in the body, including the brain. This study underscores the link between circadian rhythms and alcohol metabolism. When consumed, alcohol is primarily metabolized in the liver and is a prominent risk factor for the development of ALDs which include alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer, among others. To read the original article click here.

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