Epigenetics
The word "epigenetics" literally means "on top of" or "or" genetics. It refers to external alterations to DNA that turn genes "on" or "off." These modifications do not change the sequencing in the DNA, rather they affect how the body's cells "read" the genes.
Some genes if they are turn on, can adversely affect our health. Examples that I come across in CFS and Fibromyalgia sufferers include coeliac genes and MTHFR genes. I don't think it has been so clearly established bu there are likely also other genes that relate to food and other sensitivities and kryptopyrroles (mauve factor) that get turned 'on' and cause illness. A common trigger that appears to turn these genes on is severe stress of any kind. Dysautonomia, which is common in CFS patients is likely gene related. I have read that POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, a subset of dysautonomia) is thought to be related to protective genes turning off. Orthostatic intolerance is another related dysautonomia condition. I strongly suspect that histamine intolerance is a common epigenetics issue with patients suffering from CFS.
Some conditions associated with fibromyalgia or CFS appear to be of a classic genetic origin. For example hypermobility syndromes and maybe even ADHD.
There are whole web sites and practitioner services dedicated to doing gene profiling these days. It is an area on the edge of research and new information and treatment options are being discovered regularly. But, like any rapidly changing, newer field of medical study, it is also an area you can spend a lot of money and time on without getting very far.
For patients of mine with a mutation of C677T or A1298T I normally recommend a therapeutic trial of active vitamin B therapy for about two months to see if it improves energy or any thing else. In order to do this trial you usually need to go off any other supplements containing vitamin B's or folic acid. Then I normally start with just methylcobalamin or hydroxocobalamin for about 3 weeks. After this a multiactive vitamin B supplement can be added in that contains the methyl versions of B12 and folic acid. If oral options don't work then B12 injections can be tried.
POTS and orthostatic intolerance have a range of treatment options that can be tried. If blood pressure is low or low normal they include salt tablets, electrolyte drinks, licorice tea (e.g. one cup twice a day for five days on and then two days off - you need the regular days off to avoid potassium deficiency and other side effects), sports skins (torso and legs), compression stockings and corsets (only recommended during exercise or travel as can interfere in digestion, but can be very helpful as blood tends to pool in the abdomen and pelvis). Persons with POTS or similar conditions are advised to avoid given blood donations. Hot days or diarrhoea can also cause aggravation of symptoms as can dehydration. The best test for orthostatic issues is the Tilt Table Test which is normally done under the care of a cardiologist.
Histamine intolerance is hard to diagnose as blood testing can be a challenge. Checking histamine, tryptase or diamine oxidase may commonly be falsely negative or it may be hard to get the test done. I normally suggest a trial of low histamine diet along with using PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide) or DAO (Diamine Oxidase) supplements for 3 weeks as a check.
Some genes if they are turn on, can adversely affect our health. Examples that I come across in CFS and Fibromyalgia sufferers include coeliac genes and MTHFR genes. I don't think it has been so clearly established bu there are likely also other genes that relate to food and other sensitivities and kryptopyrroles (mauve factor) that get turned 'on' and cause illness. A common trigger that appears to turn these genes on is severe stress of any kind. Dysautonomia, which is common in CFS patients is likely gene related. I have read that POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, a subset of dysautonomia) is thought to be related to protective genes turning off. Orthostatic intolerance is another related dysautonomia condition. I strongly suspect that histamine intolerance is a common epigenetics issue with patients suffering from CFS.
Some conditions associated with fibromyalgia or CFS appear to be of a classic genetic origin. For example hypermobility syndromes and maybe even ADHD.
There are whole web sites and practitioner services dedicated to doing gene profiling these days. It is an area on the edge of research and new information and treatment options are being discovered regularly. But, like any rapidly changing, newer field of medical study, it is also an area you can spend a lot of money and time on without getting very far.
For patients of mine with a mutation of C677T or A1298T I normally recommend a therapeutic trial of active vitamin B therapy for about two months to see if it improves energy or any thing else. In order to do this trial you usually need to go off any other supplements containing vitamin B's or folic acid. Then I normally start with just methylcobalamin or hydroxocobalamin for about 3 weeks. After this a multiactive vitamin B supplement can be added in that contains the methyl versions of B12 and folic acid. If oral options don't work then B12 injections can be tried.
POTS and orthostatic intolerance have a range of treatment options that can be tried. If blood pressure is low or low normal they include salt tablets, electrolyte drinks, licorice tea (e.g. one cup twice a day for five days on and then two days off - you need the regular days off to avoid potassium deficiency and other side effects), sports skins (torso and legs), compression stockings and corsets (only recommended during exercise or travel as can interfere in digestion, but can be very helpful as blood tends to pool in the abdomen and pelvis). Persons with POTS or similar conditions are advised to avoid given blood donations. Hot days or diarrhoea can also cause aggravation of symptoms as can dehydration. The best test for orthostatic issues is the Tilt Table Test which is normally done under the care of a cardiologist.
Histamine intolerance is hard to diagnose as blood testing can be a challenge. Checking histamine, tryptase or diamine oxidase may commonly be falsely negative or it may be hard to get the test done. I normally suggest a trial of low histamine diet along with using PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide) or DAO (Diamine Oxidase) supplements for 3 weeks as a check.
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