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Did You Know? Many health conditions like hypothyroidism, cystic fibrosis, and kidney diseases can cause infertility.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes infertility as a condition of the male or female reproductive system due to which an individual is unable to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of unprotected sexual intercourse.
Infertility affects millions of couples worldwide.
There are several causes for infertility, and sometimes it is difficult to pinpoint a cause.
Common causes of infertility in females include:
Common causes of infertility in males include:
Environmental and lifestyle factors like smoking, eating junk food, obesity, and alcohol intake may also impact fertility in males and females.
When infertility is a result of a genetic disorder, it is called secondary infertility.
A few genetic disorders that cause male infertility are:
Few genetic factors affect infertility in females, including inherited chromosome change or single-gene variants passed from a parent to the child.
When there is a family history of medical conditions like early menopause or endometriosis, an individual is at a greater risk of developing these conditions.
Genetic disorders that are associated with female infertility are:
10% to 15% of couples in the world experience infertility.
Over half of these cases (over 50%) are due to an underlying genetic issue.
There is no single gene that causes infertility.
In fact, one of the primary challenges in trying to decode the genetic causes of infertility is that there are over 2,300 genes expressed in the testes alone, and hundreds of these could contribute to male fertility.
While genetics plays a role in infertility, your family history of infertility may have little to do with your inability to conceive or carry a baby till term.
However, if you and your partner are struggling with infertility, genetic testing may help get a clearer picture and the best way forward.
Sometimes, infertility is related to genetic conditions that may be inherited from parents or run in the family.
If you have an abnormal genetic change (mutation) or inherited one from your parents, it may cause genetic infertility.
Causes of recurrent miscarriages
Miscarriages usually occur in the first trimester, most of which happen due to fetal chromosomal abnormalities.
However, recurrent miscarriages (having two successive miscarriages) may result from changes in parental genetic material.
A few parental genetic causes for miscarriages include:
With advanced technology, there are several genetic tests that men and women can opt for to know more about their fertility.
In fact, genetic testing is recommended as part of fertility evaluation before undergoing any fertility treatments.
Genetic testing for females experiencing fertility issues includes:
This test analyzes a person’s DNA to see if they carry other genetic conditions.
This screening test can be performed for couples at risk of having a child with a genetic disorder like Fragile X syndrome.
This blood test analyzes the number and structure of the individual’s chromosomes. A karyotype test can help detect genetic disorders like Turner’s syndrome or chromosome rearrangements.
Genetic testing for males experiencing fertility issues includes:
This screening test screens the individual’s DNA to check if they are carriers of any genetic condition.
This test has many screening panels, including the test for cystic fibrosis, a condition that may affect fertility.
This blood test studies the number and structure of an individual’s chromosomes.
A karyotype test can help detect Klinefelters syndrome and chromosome rearrangements.
This blood test checks if specific areas on the Y chromosome that impact sperm development are missing.
Few genetic conditions that affect infertility can be treated.
However, it may be difficult for many people with fertility-affecting genetic disorders to become pregnant naturally.
Techniques like IUI and IVF are effective for these individuals.
MTHFR is a gene that makes up the enzyme Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase.
This enzyme breaks down homocysteine, a type of amino acid harmful to the body at excess levels.
This enzyme helps convert folate, the inactive form of Vitamin B9, to active folic acid.
Changes in this gene can cause vitamin B deficiency in the body.
In addition, it can lead to the accumulation of excess homocysteine in the body.
It can cause vitamin B12 deficiency and blood clots and damage blood vessels.
It, in turn, can cause various disorders and diseases.
You can have two different genetic variations that can cause these mutations.
You can have either one or two of these variants.
Symptoms are likely to be seen if you have both these variants (homozygous) or two copies of one variant.
The two genetic variants are:
25% of Hispanics and a small percentage of Caucasians have this genetic variation.
Image: Snippet from MTHFR and Methylation Report
Scientists are still researching the possible symptoms of MTHFR gene mutations.
These are some common symptoms that seem to affect many people with this condition.
Some signs and symptoms of those with MTHFR gene mutations include
A doctor can help identify an MTHFR variant by considering several parameters.
Some of them include
If a mutation is suspected, a genetic test can be used to identify the presence of MTHFR variants.
Genetic testing might be helpful if you have some of the above conditions and also have excess homocysteine levels in the body.
Some ways to tell if you have high levels of homocysteine are:
Your saliva is collected in a vial and sent to a lab to test for the MTHFR gene.
It can usually take about two weeks to six weeks.
This genetic information might help you make some lifestyle changes that will help manage high homocysteine levels.
These changes include eating a healthy balanced diet and getting enough exercise.
MTHFR is a crucial gene for several important functions in the body
Having mutations in this gene can cause high homocysteine levels in the body.
It can show up as cardiovascular disorders, troublesome pregnancy and frequent miscarriages, and even cancer.
Genetic testing is the most reliable way to identify this variant.
Identifying the variants might help a person make specific lifestyle changes to lower homocysteine levels in the blood.
Lithium is a soft and silvery-white metal that falls under the alkali group.
Lithium enters the food chain when it is naturally present in soil and water in small ratios.
Lithium is a micronutrient found in grains and vegetables, a part of our healthy diet.
Lithium has various applications in different fields.
They include construction, electronics, pharmaceuticals, automotive, etc.
Lithium helps increase the strength of ceramic bodies by reducing thermal expansion and firing temperatures.
Lithium allows a high electrochemical potential for all metals because of its lightweight.
Some lithium salts are prescribed for mental health conditions, particularly bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.
The U.S. FDA has approved lithium carbonate and lithium citrate as prescription medications for bipolar disorder.
Lithium helps to rectify chemical imbalances in the brain.
That is why lithium is significant in treating depression and manic disorders.
Lithium works as a mood stabilizer and treats mania and hypomania (less severe than mania).
Mania is being over-excited, hyperactive, or distracted.
Lithium supplements treat people with alcohol addiction, Alzheimer's disease, and many stages of psychological disorders.
Lithium stands to be the first-line treatment for bipolar disorder despite the availability of other mood stabilizers.
It is not possible to buy lithium over the counter.
Doctors prescribe Eskalith and Lithobid as lithium medications for mood stabilization.
Unlike other mood stabilizers, lithium tackles both mania and depression in bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness).
Lithium helps people with bipolar disorder by preventing manic episodes (frenzied, abnormally excited moods).
Reports suggest that lithium helps the brain in three different ways.
Bipolar medicines reduce excitatory neurotransmitters and increase inhibitory neurotransmitter levels.
It works through a complex network of interconnected mechanisms in the brain.
During this process, bipolar medicines cause changes in the metabolism leading to weight gain.
The side effects vary from person to person and do not impact everyone.
Undesired weight gain with lithium medication occurs in the initial treatment.
According to a review, about 25% of people who take lithium gain weight.
People who encounter this distressing side effect gain up to 10 to 26 pounds.
Three key aspects are associated with weight gain while taking lithium:
You are more likely to gain weight if you weigh more when you start treatment.
You are more prone to put on weight if your dose of medication or lithium in the blood is high.
Olanzapine and quetiapine are two antipsychotics with a history of weight gain.
Taking other psychotropic drugs with lithium medication simultaneously can put you at risk of weight gain.
Your doctor will change your medication in some circumstances.
Prescribed drugs like aripiprazole or lurasidone cause less weight gain, and topiramate induces weight loss.
Lithium causes metabolic changes in the body and results in excessive weight gain.
Lithium-induced weight gain is due to extreme hunger, increased thirst, food cravings, hormone imbalances, constipation, and fatigue.
Lithium therapy increases appetite in 1 in 3 bipolar patients.
People always feel hungry to eat something which adds on calories and puts on weight.
A strict diet with limited calories is to be maintained.
People experience extreme thirst due to water or sodium retention, known as polydipsia.
It stimulates a person to drink more water or fluids (high-calorie beverages).
This results in bloating or edema (swelling), known as water weight gain.
Lithium-treated people have a lot of food cravings as their taste gets altered.
This tempts people to consume more salty, fatty, or sugary foods, leading to weight gain.
During these cravings, a high-salt diet causes sodium retention, resulting in water weight gain.
Lithium causes hormonal changes in leptin, ghrelin, estrogen, testosterone, insulin, cortisol, and thyroxine.
These hormonal fluctuations lead to a reduced metabolic rate (changes in carbohydrate and fat metabolism).
This increases the fat storage in the body, causing weight gain.
Fatigue makes our mind and body lazy with low energy levels.
Decreased energy levels tend to make fewer body movements or nil physical activity.
Lack of physical exercise leads to weight gain.
Lithium therapy modifies gut bacteria, which leads to constipation, water retention, and fat accumulation in the body.
Any of these factors leads to weight gain in lithium-treated people.
Lithium has several serious side effects.
**Do not take any medications or make changes to your diet when on lithium without consulting your medical practitioner.**
Cilantro is a very divisive herb - some people like it, and some can’t stand the “soapy” taste of it. What’s the deal behind this phenomenon?
Turns out your taste receptor genes can influence how you perceive the taste of many food items, including cilantro.
You can learn all about these genes and everything else there is to do with nutrition with Xcode Life’s Gene Nutrition Report.
Cilantro is a herb that comes from the coriander plant.
While the dried seeds are called coriander, the leaves are called cilantro.
Cilantro is sometimes called Chinese or Mexican parsley.
It is used as a flavoring agent in many cuisines worldwide.
Parsley, dill, fennel, and cumin are similar to cilantro.
However, some people find the taste of cilantro to be unpleasant.
They complain that the taste of cilantro is soapy.
Researchers are trying to understand why some people dislike the taste of cilantro.
They have found some fascinating answers to this question.
Cilantro tasting like soap has an interesting connection to our genes.
Scientists have found that those who find cilantro unpleasant share a joint gene group or cluster.
This gene group is called OR6A2.
OR6A2 helps us pick up certain smells, specifically those of aldehydes.
People who have this gene are known to be sensitive to cilantro.
People from diverse geographical regions can have this gene.
Apart from the OR6A2 gene, there are three other genes whose presence makes people hate cilantro.
One of these is a smell receptor; the other two detect bitterness.
These genes might also be involved in making people dislike cilantro.
OR6A2 is a smell (olfactory) receptor that picks up the smell of aldehydes.
Aldehydes are a group of organic chemical compounds also used in soapmaking.
Incidentally, cilantro has aldehyde naturally present in it.
Therefore, people with this gene who are sensitive to the aldehyde smell dislike cilantro.
One can find the OR6A2 gene in people from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Interestingly enough, this gene is less common in people whose cuisine includes a lot of cilantro.
It might be harder to find this gene in Indians and Central Americans than in people from other parts of the world.
The answer might be because Indian and Central American cuisines have a lot of cilantro.
Scientists have studied this gene further.
The passing of the OR6A2 gene through generations is a rarity.
This finding needs to be clarified why people who eat cilantro-heavy foods have few OR6A2 genes.
Disliking cilantro is genetic and is tough, but not impossible, to overcome.
On the other hand, choosing not to eat cilantro might keep you from enjoying certain dishes.
One way to make the taste of cilantro more bearable is to expose yourself repeatedly to it.
Try adding it to your words a little at a time.
To reduce the intensity, you might also mince or crush it.
It will reduce the impact of the taste and make it more manageable.
Over time, you might become less sensitive to the taste of cilantro.
Some people who dislike cilantro replace it with parsley.
The two herbs are very similar to each other and almost give the same flavors to any dish.
However, parsley does not have the soapy taste of cilantro.
Cilantro is an herb used across many cuisines as an aromatic and flavoring agent.
However, some people complain that cilantro tastes bitter and soapy.
Scientists have now found that this might be due to a gene in some people.
The OR6A2 gene is a smell-receptors that detects the smell of aldehydes.
Using aldehydes in soapmaking is common.
Cilantro naturally presents aldehydes that activate this gene.
It is why some people dislike cilantro.
Interestingly, this gene is found less frequently among groups who regularly eat cilantro.
One way to reduce this sensitivity might be to eat small portions of cilantro periodically.
Cilantro can also be replaced with parsley, as it gives the same flavors without activating the OR6A2 gene.
Anemia is a medical condition characterized by a lack of healthy red blood cells in the body. It is due to low levels of hemoglobin in red blood cells.
Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen and delivers it throughout your body. If it is low, the cells do not get enough oxygen which results in dysfunctional red blood cells.
In the United States, anemia is the most prevalent blood disorder.
Almost 6% of people are affected by this condition.
More than 400 different kinds of anemia exist, and they fall into three categories:
Common causes of anemia include:
This lack of red blood cells leads to anemia.
Lack of this vitamin results in a decreased red blood cell population, further developing anemia.
You might not even be aware that you have anemia because the symptoms can be so subtle.
As your blood cells disappear, symptoms typically begin to show up.
The following symptoms may occur depending on the cause of the anemia:
Some forms of anemia can run in families.
The inheritance pattern of anemia can be of two types:
The following types of anemias can be inherited:
Sickle-cell Anemia:
Mutations in the HBB gene cause the blood protein hemoglobin to develop improperly.
Red blood cells become fragile and shrink into a sickle shape, resulting in sickle-cell anemia.
A diminished ability to fight infection and swelling in the hands and feet are further symptoms of sickle-cell anemia.
Sickle cell anemia is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.
Congenital Pernicious Anemia:
A person with this uncommon kind of anemia is born without the ability to make a protein that aids in the body's absorption of vitamin B12.
You become anemic if your body cannot produce healthy red blood cells due to a lack of vitamin B12.
The Q5R mutation of the intrinsic factor gene causes congenital pernicious anemia.
Additional problems like nerve damage, cognitive issues, and an enlarged liver can result from vitamin B12 deficiency.
Fanconi Anemia:
This particular form of anemia stops the bone marrow from generating new blood cells for the body.
Mutations in FANCA, FANCC, and FANCG genes cause Fanconi Anemia.
People with Fanconi anemia are more susceptible to infection because their bodies do not synthesize enough white blood cells to fight germs.
Hereditary Spherocytosis:
Spherocytes are defective red blood cells inherited from parent to child, which are thin and brittle in this condition.
Hereditary Spherocytosis occurs when red blood cells are destroyed. The majority of hereditary spherocytosis patients only have mild anemia.
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura(TTP)
TTP is caused by a certain dysfunctional blood-clotting enzyme, which causes platelets, which aid in wound healing, to cluster together.
People with TTP may endure prolonged bleeding internally, externally, or beneath the skin because their platelets tend to clump together.
It can disrupt red blood cells after leaving the bone marrow and cause breakages in the blood, leading to anemia.
Any condition resulting in the bursting (destruction) of RBCs is known as hemolytic anemia.
Iron deficiency anemia can be genetic, as alterations in a person’s genetic code can pass to their child.
Iron-refractory iron deficiency anemia (IRIDA) is due to an inadequate level (deficiency) of iron in the bloodstream. This form of iron deficiency anemia does not respond to iron supplements, as the name suggests.
It is resistant (refractory) to oral iron supplements and only partially responsive to iron supplied in other ways, such as intravenously.
Red blood cells that are excessively tiny (microcytic) and pale (hypochromic) are found with this type of anemia.
Mutations in the TMPRSS6 gene cause IRIDA. This gene is in charge of instructing the body to produce the matriptase-2 protein.
Matriptase-2 regulates the body's iron levels.
The body's iron levels can change due to factors affecting this protein.
IRIDA has an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern in which both parents must possess the recessive trait, and the kid must inherit both copies.
The recessive characteristic is only present in one copy of each parent; thus, neither may exhibit any symptoms.
A diet deficient in some minerals and vitamins
Your risk of anemia rises if you consume a diet persistently deficient in iron, vitamin B-12, folate, and copper.
Gastrointestinal problems
The risk of developing anemia is high if you have an intestinal condition like Crohn's disease or celiac disease that interferes with the absorption of nutrients in your small intestine.
Menstruation
Red blood cells are lost during menstruation. Therefore, the risk of iron deficiency anemia is generally higher in premenopausal women than in postmenopausal women and men.
Pregnancy
Your risk of anemia increases if you are pregnant without taking a multivitamin with folic acid and iron.
Family History
You may also be more susceptible to the disorder if your family has a history of inherited anemia, such as sickle cell anemia.
Other factors
Your risk of anemia increases if you have a history of certain infections, blood conditions, or autoimmune diseases.
Anemia can result from factors such as alcoholism, hazardous chemical exposure, and pharmaceutical use that decrease red blood cell production.
Age
Anemia risk increases for people over 65.
Anemia is a blood disorder characterized by dysfunctional or lack of red blood cells.
Common causes of anemia include iron deficiency, vitamin deficiency, chronic disorders, certain medications, and genetics.
Anemia can be inherited in two patterns: autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant.
Some types of anemia that can be inherited include sickle cell anemia, congenital pernicious anemia, Fanconi anemia, hereditary spherocytosis, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Other risk factors of anemia include a poor diet, intestinal problems, pregnancy, age, heavy menstruation in women, family history, etc.
Ashwagandha is a herb gaining popularity worldwide for its various medicinal properties.
Scientifically called Withania somnifera, ashwagandha is a commonly grown shrub in various parts of India, Africa, and the Middle East.
The name ashwagandha is derived from Sanskrit, ‘ashwa’ meaning horse and ‘gandha’ meaning odor or smell.
Ashwagandha is one of the most commonly used herbs in Ayurveda, an alternative medicine practiced in India.
While ashwagandha is beneficial for both men and women, it may have additional benefits for men.
Please know that ashwagandha needs to be consumed only after discussing it with a medical practitioner.
The following are seven top ashwagandha benefits for men.
Ashwagandha is best known for its ability to bring down anxiety and stress levels.
A 60-day randomized study analyzed the effects of ashwagandha in adults diagnosed with stress and anxiety.
A group of 60 adults was offered either a placebo or 240 mg of ashwagandha once a day.
At the end of the study, people who consumed ashwagandha had lowered levels of morning cortisol (stress hormone) and a lower stress rating on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A).
Also Read: Can Vitamin Deficiency Cause Anxiety?
Ayurvedic medicine experts suggest that ashwagandha may help men handle low testosterone levels and infertility.
A 2018 study examined the role of ashwagandha in handling male infertility.
This study mentions that consuming the right amounts of ashwagandha root extracts may help improve sperm count and sperm motility (movement).
It may also regulate the reproductive hormones in men.
Another study investigated the effects of ashwagandha on men between the ages of 40 and 70.
Apart from improved energy levels, these men had a 14.7% increase in testosterone levels.
Men looking to improve muscle mass and physical strength may benefit from ashwagandha supplements.
A 2015 study reports that men who consumed ashwagandha for eight weeks showed significantly better muscle strength and increased muscle mass in the chest and arms.
These individuals also had reduced exercise-induced muscle damage.
Ashwagandha may help stabilize blood sugar levels in both men and women with diabetes mellitus.
A 2020 meta-analysis of 24 studies mentions that ashwagandha may help stabilize blood sugar and insulin and reduce HbA1c levels in people with diabetes.
Ashwagandha encourages your cells to use more glucose from the bloodstream.
Ashwagandha could help restore sleep quality for people struggling with insomnia.
A 2021 meta-analysis of five independent studies shows that there could be a small but significant improvement in overall sleep in people treated with ashwagandha supplements.
Another study analyzed the effect of ashwagandha in 80 individuals (40 healthy and 40 with insomnia).
At the end of the study, ashwagandha caused a definite improvement in sleep quality in those with insomnia.
Also Watch: Your genes, sleeping patterns, and sleep disorders risk
Ashwagandha has long been associated with improved memory and alertness.
A 2017 study analyzed the effects of ashwagandha on cognitive functions and memory.
According to it, people who consumed ashwagandha for eight weeks experienced improvements in general memory, immediate memory, and attention span.
Cardiorespiratory endurance is the ability of your heart, lungs, and related muscles to deliver oxygen to the other parts.
Studies show that ashwagandha root extracts may improve cardiorespiratory output and ensure the heart and lungs are fit.
The following could be some of the common side effects of ashwagandha in men.
The following individuals are not recommended to take ashwagandha.
The recommended dosages of ashwagandha are between 300 mg and 500 mg per day. This could be taken at once or divided into smaller doses throughout the day.
The herb will be better handled by the stomach when had after a meal.
Talk to your medical practitioner to know the exact dosage levels.
Ashwagandha supplements are available in powders or capsules, and both are equally effective.
Always start with the lowest dosage levels and slowly increase them with time.
