Personal Genomics and N=1 Experiments
Hats off to Misha Angrist over at Genome Boy for bringing this fascinating story about personal genomic experiments that ran in Nature Medicine to my attention. Raymond McCauley and a small team of DIY-researchers wanted to know how effective different types of vitamins were for clearing "undesirable" amino acids from their bodies. One of the supplements they investigated was a standard, over-the-counter vitamin B tablet. But the other, was a more highly active B vitamin, called L-methylfolate. McCauley's genetic profile differed from the rest of his team in two particular SNPs (he was homozygous at both locations).
Hats off to Misha Angrist over at Genome Boy for bringing this fascinating story about personal genomic experiments that ran in Nature Medicine to my attention. Raymond McCauley and a small team of DIY-researchers wanted to know how effective different types of vitamins were for clearing "undesirable" amino acids from their bodies. One of the supplements they investigated was a standard, over-the-counter vitamin B tablet. But the other, was a more highly active B vitamin, called L-methylfolate. McCauley's genetic profile differed from the rest of his team in two particular SNPs (he was homozygous at both locations).
For four of the study participants, all of whom paid out of pocket to participate in the research, either type of vitamin supplement decreased homocysteine levels by almost a third, indicating that the vitamins were having the desired effect and leading to homocysteine getting converted into more benign amino acids. But for McCauley—the only person in the study who was homozygous at both SNPs tested—run-of-the-mill pills raised his homocysteine concentrations, and only the more active L-methylfolate seemed to aid his vitamin metabolism. After completing the experiment last month, McCauley changed his source of supplementary vitamin B to L-methylfolate.
Viva la Vitamin?
I think many of us assume that if experts say that Vitamin C can boost the immune system, then grabbing a 500mg bottle at your local health nutrition store must be a good idea. I know I've been guilty of this mindset. But it turns out that if you exercise, taking antioxidant vitamins might not be in your best interest. There was a good summary by Derek Lowe at 'In The Pipeline' about a new PNAS paper that argues against popping vitamins while engaged in an exercise routine. The study found that the experimental group that took a combination of Vitamin C and Vitamin E actually lost some of the inherent benefits of exercise, such as changes in insulin sensitivity and formation of natural antioxidants. My only criticism of the study is that Vitamin C is capable of regenerating Vitamin E, so I wonder whether this phenomenon will carry through for all supplemental antioxidants, or if it's limited to the particular vitamins used in this study.
I think many of us assume that if experts say that Vitamin C can boost the immune system, then grabbing a 500mg bottle at your local health nutrition store must be a good idea. I know I've been guilty of this mindset. But it turns out that if you exercise, taking antioxidant vitamins might not be in your best interest. There was a good summary by Derek Lowe at 'In The Pipeline' about a new PNAS paper that argues against popping vitamins while engaged in an exercise routine. The study found that the experimental group that took a combination of Vitamin C and Vitamin E actually lost some of the inherent benefits of exercise, such as changes in insulin sensitivity and formation of natural antioxidants. My only criticism of the study is that Vitamin C is capable of regenerating Vitamin E, so I wonder whether this phenomenon will carry through for all supplemental antioxidants, or if it's limited to the particular vitamins used in this study.
I see a recurring theme in the articles that pique my interest these days, and I can't help but wonder, yet again, if this is another example of the differences of nutrients that exist in nature, and those made in a lab? Should we be getting our vitamins from foods instead of supplemental pills?