AncestryDNA is the gold standard of genetic ancestry testing, giving you detailed information on your ancestral roots, along with some interesting tools to explore your ancestry. Follow this simple 3-step process to log in to your AncestryDNA account to access all this information.
Did you know that your AncestryDNA raw data contains around 700,000 genetic markers? Ancestry reports only use 0.01% of this information. There is more information about your health, nutrition, fitness, allergy, and specific genes like COMT, MTHFR, and APOE in your raw data. After finding out your ancestry information on the AncestryDNA site, you can download your raw data and use it to find out more about yourself. Learn how.
Or you can directly place a request to download your DNA data.
In case you are unable to access your AncestryDNA account, try the following:
Most AncestryDNA accounts renew automatically at the beginning of each calendar month. Semi-annual and annual memberships renew every six months and year, respectively.
If your account doesn’t renew automatically, then:
Your AncestryDNA results cannot be moved from one account to another. However, if you are the account owner, you can invite other people (or your new email) to view the results.
If you would like to share your ethnicity results, visit this page for the instructions.
Have you ever wondered why, despite a perfect bedtime routine, you find yourself waking up precisely at 4 AM? While the reasons behind this early awakening vary widely, they often reflect a complex interplay of hormonal rhythms, lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and genetic makeup. Recent advancements in genetic research have begun to unravel how our DNA can influence sleep patterns and susceptibility to sleep disturbances. In this article, we explore how the intersection of nature and nurture can make up predisposed to waking up at the same time every night.
Did You Know?
Lack of sleep or sleep disturbances are associated with harmful effects on health and performance. While the commonly discussed factors are diet and lifestyle, one of the hidden reasons behind sleep disturbances and disorders is genetics. Learn more:
Getting a good night’s sleep is relaxing, rejuvenating, and essential for the body. However, not everyone is blessed to get good sleep at night.
When you have a night of disturbed sleep at night, you wake up tired in the morning.
Though the amount of sleep one requires varies, adults must get seven to eight hours of it every day.
Several reasons can lead to disturbed sleep, such as:
Our sleep cycle is part of our body’s clock called the ‘circadian rhythm.’
This sleep cycle is regulated by light levels and temperature, which trigger brain chemistry.
Each cycle of sleep during the night is 90 minutes long, and during the deepest phase of this cycle, our brain is flushing away the toxins. Following this, we enter the REM phase.
The hormone melatonin guides REM sleep and allows us to fall asleep at bedtime.
During the early hours, the levels of melatonin fall, and cortisol levels rise, enabling us to wake up.
Studies have shown that the brain sorts out memories in the first half of the night, while the second half is for emotions.
The rising cortisol levels and dealing with emotional events or feelings may be why many people wake up at 3 AM or 4 AM daily.
Other reasons why you may be waking up in the middle of the night are:
Waking up at the same time every night or experiencing disturbed sleep can be a byproduct of many sleep aspects, including circadian rhythm, sleep disorders, etc.
Though no single gene directly determines your likelihood of waking up at 4 AM every day, by influencing several aspects of sleep health, your genetics may still be contributing to this issue.
Most of us wake up at least once every night but should be able to return to sleep immediately.
Waking up at the same time every night is normal if it is due to the natural sleep cycle and not an underlying cause.
With age, sleep patterns change, and the brain adapts to this change.
If you are waking up at least three nights for three months or longer and experiencing daytime impairment due to persistent sleep issues, you must consult your doctor.
To ensure you get a good night’s sleep and avoid waking up at 3 AM or 4 AM every night, here are a few handy tips for good sleep hygiene:
From the conventional wisdom of creating a pitch-dark room and applying ice packs to the neck, to the less orthodox methods like warming the feet, the internet is rife with ‘migraine hacks.’ Yet, these remedies often fall short of providing consistent or complete relief. Magnesium, the all-rounder nutrient, has recently gained attention in migraine management. Research highlights its potential in alleviating migraine pain by modulating key signaling pathways and chemical processes in the brain. However, the question arises: which form of magnesium is the best for combating migraines? Let’s explore.
Did You Know?
The magnesium levels in your body are partly influenced by your genes. CASR is a gene, which contains instructions for producing a protein called the Calcium Sensing Receptor. Certain types of this gene can increase your risk of magnesium deficiency by reducing the reabsorption of magnesium in the kidneys. You can learn in-depth about your nutritional traits using your existing ancestry genetic test DNA data.
Some studies show that magnesium might be effective in relieving migraine.
It is most effective in people who have an aura with their migraine.
It means they experience light flashes or blindspots before or during migraines.
Magnesium may help prevent cortical spreading depression, a wave of brain signaling.
Cortical spreading depression causes visual and sensory changes that cause an aura during a migraine episode.
Magnesium can improve platelet function and block pain-transmitting chemicals in the brain.
It is effective in reducing the symptoms of premenstrual migraine.
Magnesium can be a preventative measure for those who suffer from premenstrual migraine or those who experience an aura with migraine.
There is no foolproof method to check magnesium deficiency in the brain.
Thus, it can be harder to tell if you’re magnesium deficient.
People who suffer from heart disease or diabetes or take diuretics for blood pressure may be prone to low levels of magnesium in the body.
Some studies show that people suffering from migraines can have low levels of magnesium in their brains.
This could be due to:
Magnesium plays a vital role in muscle function.
Signs of magnesium deficiency include:
Magnesium oxide is one of the most commonly prescribed forms of magnesium to treat migraines.
It is readily available and used in clinical trials.
Sometimes, for acute cases, patients are administered magnesium sulfate intravenously.
Here are a few common types of magnesium for migraine treatment:
Pros: It is a readily available form of magnesium and is used widely to treat migraine. It is also absorbed reasonably well in the body.
Cons: Magnesium oxide can cause digestive problems and diarrhea.
Pros: One of the most common forms of magnesium is Epsom salt. It is available in the form of lotions and sprays. Sometimes, it is prescribed intravenously in severe migraine cases.
Cons: The effectiveness of this form of magnesium varies, so it is best used in combination with other forms of magnesium.
Pros: Glycine elevates serotonin levels in the brain, which helps improve sleep quality. Magnesium glycinate also has a higher absorption rate in the body and may be more effective.
Cons: It may cause digestive issues. However, magnesium glycinate is quite gentle on the digestive system.
Pros: It is the only form of magnesium penetrating the blood-brain barrier. It raises magnesium levels in the brain effectively.
Cons: It is more expensive than other forms of magnesium.
Magnesium oxide is prescribed at a dosage of 400-600 mg per day.
Your doctor might prescribe intravenous magnesium sulfate injections if you have a severe magnesium deficiency.
It is advisable to consult your doctor to determine the correct magnesium dosage you will need.
Magnesium is generally safe.
However, excessive magnesium can lead to
These symptoms usually subside when you lower the dose of magnesium you are taking.
Magnesium can also cause more severe side effects, such as shallow blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and coma.
Always consult your doctor before taking any supplements.
If you don’t want to take supplements, add magnesium-rich foods.
Green leafy vegetables like spinach are some of the best sources of magnesium.
It contains almost 40% of the daily dietary requirement of magnesium.
Some other foods that are rich in magnesium are:
Magnesium might be an effective treatment for migraines.
It is especially effective for premenstrual migraine and for people who experience an aura during migraine.
Magnesium oxide is a common form of magnesium for migraine treatment.
It is always advisable to consult a doctor before starting any supplements.
You can also add magnesium-rich foods such as nuts and leafy green vegetables for adequate magnesium levels.
https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/magnesium/
https://www.healthline.com/health/magnesium-for-migraines
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554611/
https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/menstrual-migraine-treatment-and-prevention/
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/5/1089
Do you love the balayage look and want it on yourself but don’t want to damage your hair by bleaching it? You might have heard that bleaching can damage and weaken your hair strands. So, you take a more natural route: bleach your hair with the sun’s rays. But is everything that is natural good for you? Photobleaching can be harmful to your hair and equally damaging as getting your hair bleached at the salon. Still want to do it? Here is your guide on what exactly photobleaching is, why it is harmful, and some better alternatives.
Did You Know?
The MC1R gene, a critical determinant of hair color, is also associated with aging, the risk for sunspots, and the likelihood of freckles. You can learn in-depth about your skin health and traits using your existing ancestry genetic test DNA data.
Photobleaching is the lightening of hair due to sun exposure.
Over time, the sun can turn your black hair to brown or lighten brown hair to blonde hair.
If you spend time outdoors, you will notice that your hair has darker roots and lighter strands.
It is an effect of photobleaching.
Your hair contains a pigment called melanin in them.
Melanin is responsible for dark hair and skin, which means it colors your hair and skin.
The sun’s UV rays react with the melanin in your hair, turning it colorless.
While this might seem inexpensive to bleach your hair, it can also have harmful side effects.
The sun lightens your hair through a chemical reaction called oxidation.
The same chemical reaction happens when you bleach your hair at a salon.
Oxidation occurs when a substance comes in contact with oxygen.
In this case, the sun’s rays bleach hair by naturally depleting its melanin.
The sun’s rays alter the level of melanin in your hair by depleting this pigment.
Your hair, unlike your skin, is dead tissue.
That is why you can get rid of a tan but cannot make sun-bleached hair return to normal.
You will only return to your natural hair color once your hair grows out and you decide to chop off the bleached part.
Photobleaching is a phenomenon that depletes the melanin present naturally in hair.
The effects of photobleaching will be more noticeable when you already have less melanin in your hair.
It means that people with blonde or lighter hair colors will get more affected due to photobleaching than people with darker hair.
Photobleaching is a result of light-induced hair aging. The hair becomes paler in color, and the softness and shine of the hair can change as well.
The photochemical effects on hair color highly depend on certain color pigments in the body called melanins and chromophores.
The melanin pigment is of two types: pheomelanin and eumelanin
Our hair color is a result of which one of these pigments dominates the other.
Whether a person has more pheomelanin or eumelanin is determined by their genetics.
The dominant type of melanin in red hair is pheomelanin, while blonde hair is a mix of eumelanin and pheomelanin, with the former more present than the latter.
Research suggests that pheomelanin is more sensitive than eumelanin to sun-induced hair lightening. Thus, people with dark-colored hair may experience more photobleaching.
Hundreds of genes affect the amount of melanin in your hair.
Out of this, researchers have identified as many as 48 genetic markers that might affect hair photobleaching.
However, they have not identified any particular gene that specifically influences photobleaching.
Europeans are more affected by photobleaching than any other racial or ethnic groups.
People of non-European descent have lower chances of experiencing photobleaching.
Photobleaching your hair is potentially dangerous, even though it might be effective.
The sun’s UV rays break down keratin, the protein in your hair.
Over time, this will lead to weak and brittle hair.
Sun exposure can also dry up your scalp, leading to further hair damage.
Additionally, you also run the risk of developing skin cancer due to prolonged sun exposure.
Lightening your hair through sun exposure is probably not a good idea.
It can damage your hair and also increase your chances of developing skin cancer.
Here are a few safer alternatives to photobleaching that you can try:
*the alternatives provided are for informational purposes only. Please seek professional assistance before trying any method for hair lightening.
Photobleaching can be highly harmful to your hair.
It can dry out your scalp, weaken your strands, and even increase the risk of getting skin cancer.
Rather than getting sun exposure to lighten your hair, you should take steps to protect it from damage.
Always wear a hat or scarf if you are going out in the sun, and start using hair sunscreens.
Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to prevent your scalp from drying out.
If you want to bleach your hair, visit a professional to get it done rather than exposing yourself to the sun’s rays.
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skincare/sun-bleached-hair
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/sun-and-uv/uv-radiation.html
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/traits/haircolor/
Kiwi proudly boasts its “superfood” title for all the right reasons. In this nutrient-dense fruit, one particularly stands out – vitamin C. A recent study has revealed that consuming just 2 gold kiwis is as good as vitamin C supplements in preventing vitamin C deficiency. Let’s learn more about what this study says and other benefits of consuming kiwi every day.
Did You Know?
Animals like cats and dogs can synthesize vitamin C on their own, whereas, some birds, fish, and humans cannot. Though humans have the gene needed for vitamin C production, it has been inactivated through evolution. So, vitamin C needs to be supplemented through diet. Your genes can also influence how effectively vitamin C is absorbed from your diet and used by the body. SLC23A1 and SLC23A2 are two genes involved in this process. Mutations in these genes, influence the absorption of vitamin C by the body. You can learn in-depth about your nutritional requirements using your existing ancestry genetic test DNA data.
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin required for the normal growth and development of the body.
Here are some functions of vitamin C in the body:
An important property of vitamin C is that it is one of the most powerful antioxidants.
Antioxidants are molecules that prevent free radical damage.
This free radical damage is responsible for aging and plays a role in cancer and the development of other chronic diseases.
Free radicals are formed due to many reasons, 2 common ones being:
Since the body cannot make or store vitamin C, consuming lots of vitamin C-containing foods in your daily diet is essential.
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin C is 90 mg/day for adult males and 75 mg/day for adult females.
Several fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin C. Some of these include:
Studies have shown that people who consume vitamin C supplements have stronger immunity.
One study states that consuming two kiwi fruits daily as part of the diet was as good as taking vitamin C supplements.
A study published in Foods stated that consuming two SunGold kiwis daily for six weeks increased vitamin C intake by 150 mg per day.
Researchers found that consuming this level of vitamin C eliminates the need for supplementation.
The 24 participants in the study were between 25 and 60 years of age and had no history of type 1 or type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance.
The study was designed to understand the effects of daily kiwi fruit consumption.
In this 6-week study, one set of participants was required to consume two Actinidia chinensis var. (marketed as Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit) per day. The remaining participants acted as a control.
Urine and venous blood samples and the participants’ body weight were monitored before, during, and at the end of the study.
Though a small-scale study, the results were promising. The following observations were noted in the study:
Regular green kiwis contain 92.7 mg of vitamin C.
Every 100 g of Zespri kiwi contains 161.3 g of vitamin C, meaning having two of them gives you more than twice the RDA of the vitamin.
Consuming two SunGold kiwis gives you more vitamin C content than the RDA.
So, you can safely consume two kiwis in a day.
Eating kiwis offers several health benefits:
Did you know that dandruff impacts 50% of the world’s population? It results in flakes on the hair and shoulders, along with itching and scalp irritation. Dandruff can have various causes, such as dry skin, fungal infection, or sensitivity to hair products. But is dandruff genetic? Can you inherit it from your parents or pass it on to your children? Read on to explore the possible genetic factors behind dandruff and learn how to prevent and treat it.
Did You Know?
Many aspects of your skin health and aging, including the risk for conditions like adult acne, rosacea, tanning, and the likelihood of premature wrinkles, stretch marks, cellulite, etc., are highly influenced by your genes. You can learn in-depth about your skin using your existing ancestry genetic test DNA data.
Dandruff is not a disease; it means problems with your scalp skin. There are different reasons why people get dandruff, including:
Dandruff has the potential to affect individuals at any age, with its prevalence shifting through different life stages:
Dandruff isn’t a lasting problem; its duration depends on the underlying cause and how effectively you handle it.
Usually, it begins in young adulthood and carries on through middle age. However, this doesn’t exclude older adults from experiencing dandruff.
In fact, for some individuals, it can persist throughout their entire lives.
The strength and occurrence of dandruff can also shift over time as the scalp ages and undergoes changes in moisture levels.
Scientists have found evidence suggesting dandruff may have a genetic component.
They identified 487 genetic markers linked to a higher chance of having dandruff, meaning if someone in your family has it, you are more likely to get it, too.
However, genes are not the sole contributors. Factors like lifestyle and environment can also play a role in this condition.
We still need more research to fully understand how genes and other elements work together to cause dandruff.
One potential reason for dandruff is linked to how our genes interact with tiny living things called microbes on the scalp.
Similar to the way microbes reside in our gut, they also live on our scalp.
For some individuals, these tiny living things might trigger the immune system, leading to quick division and flaking off skin cells, forming dandruff.
Although scientists are unsure why some people are sensitive to these microbes and others aren’t, it’s possible that genetics play a role in determining this sensitivity.
Certainly, dandruff can be inherited, with sensitivity to oleic acid being a contributing factor.
This sensitivity arises from the interaction between a naturally occurring microbe (Malassezia globosa) and scalp oils (sebum).
The development of dandruff is influenced by this genetic predisposition, which can be passed down from parents.
Therefore, for around 50% of the global population, the tendency to experience dandruff may be hereditary.
Those lacking sensitivity to oleic acid are less prone to dandruff.
Genetic dandruff is a condition that makes your scalp produce too many dead skin flakes.
It’s not about being unclean but concerns a genetic change affecting how your scalp’s natural oil, called sebum, is regulated.
While genetic dandruff might be embarrassing and uncomfortable, you can prevent it with simple steps:
By following the above steps, you can stop genetic dandruff and have a healthy, flake-free scalp.
Genetic dandruff is not curable, but it is treatable. The available treatment options depend on the severity of the condition and individual preferences.
Various treatments are accessible in addition to the preventive measures mentioned earlier.
Many over-the-counter medicated shampoos and scalp treatments contain antifungal or antibacterial ingredients to lessen dandruff.
If these products don’t yield results within 2–3 weeks, it’s advisable to consult a doctor. They can assess whether prescription shampoos or medications would be more effective.
Healthcare professionals might recommend topical antifungal medications, corticosteroids, or immunomodulators to address dandruff and other skin conditions.
Dandruff, a common scalp condition impacting millions globally, is not only influenced by external factors like dry skin or fungal infections but also has a genetic component.
Scientists found 487 genetic markers for dandruff, highlighting the significant role of genetics in determining susceptibility to conditions.
This hereditary tendency, affecting approximately 50% of the global population, is related to sensitivity to oleic acid, a microbial interaction in the scalp.
While dandruff is not curable, it is treatable through various means, including over-the-counter medicated shampoos and, in severe cases, prescription medications.
Managing genetic dandruff involves maintaining scalp health, using specialized shampoos, avoiding harsh chemicals, and addressing stress levels.
Understanding the genetic roots of dandruff allows individuals to take proactive steps in treatment and prevention, promoting a healthy scalp.
Regular care, including proper hygiene, choice of hair products, and stress management, is crucial in managing genetic dandruff and promoting a flake-free scalp.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dandruff/symptoms-causes/syc-20353850
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bies.202100005
https://www.health.harvard.edu/skin-and-hair/what-is-the-best-way-to-treat-severe-dandruff
