Introduction

If there is ever a topic we need to discuss right now, it is not about “cost of living”, housing or “immigration” crisis. But “non-communicable” diseases. Here in this Part 2, continues on my disclosure of health. “Health” however as I implore – is a sum of many parts both good and bad. The latter I find more interesting.

I shall preface that I am expressing, some degree of honesty here that may affect some people whom I interact in the daily basis.  I am simply writing this as disclosure. I ask for nothing but undivided empathy amongst colleagues, either past or present for benevolence sake.

Still largely a WIP / work in progress feature writing.

Live-It-Forward,

AW.

1/2 Slow COMT Gene expression / “Worrier”.

In 2023, one year on as I slowly reclaimed my finances ~ I purchased what I consider to be the most expensive investment for self-health assesment ~ Nutrigenomics & Methylation consulting.

Spanning throughout several months of waiting for the results, it appears I have many traits encapsulating (predominantly though not absolute) ~ typical trait as that of a worrier. Unsurprising, or even assuring at first. But this remains non-communicable, because what this effectively means, cannot be readily explained.

So here is my outline, for those unacquainted. But please beware that my understanding of methylation is at best remaining “lay” at present, despite numerous readings.

A very brief skinny ~ on methylation.

Methylation is a topic I dare say – the most complicated in nutrition (and unbeknownst to many people – psychology). Objectively speaking, to “methylate” or “methylation” ~ simply refers to any chemical reaction where a methyl group (three hydrogen and one carbon molecule) either gets added to, or subtracted from any existing molecule. But what does this mean exactly? In lay terms, this reaction affects genetic expression. Turning on/off biological processes, which subsequents the fate and rate of protein synthesis.

More importantly, what does it impacts?  Everything. Psychology and Physiology. DNA repair, immune function. What I would like to focus here ~ stress handling.

I find that so far there is no better analogy than this one below.

Think of placing Bookmarks in a book. Or placing tags or sticky notes on a wall ~ to indicate or highlight certain pieces of information, or a Chapter for a later revisit or reading. Should and when – situation or circumstances compels us to “read” or “open” specific needs or context, we then look for these relevant tags, elaborate a needed information, then gather a course of action.

We live within our environment. Thus our interactions with it, be it toxins exposure, allergens from food supply, and social interactions ~ all act as stimulis compelling our needs to (again as metaphorical course of action) ~ to withstandour live(s) against these events sooner or later ~ by reciting or revisiting these Bookmarks. Unpacking their contents, decipher, and decide what to turn on (or off) a complex series of reactions just to stay alive.

That~ whilst grossly simplified, nonetheless resemble how epigenetics work. That ~ is where the tags as metaphorical bookmarks ~ literally attaches or sits “on top” (/ “epi”)  of the DNA.

And then there are “methyl donors” that comes into play. Just like we exchange ATP as currency for energy or NAD as energy molecule carriers~ methyl Donors (Creatine, Phosphadytil Choline and SAMe) are also essential at carrying out the above course of actions ~ telling the body what to do. These “Donors” are exactly as they imply ~ they get exchanged and used up constantly ensuring we respond and withstand stress appropriately for however long possible.

These Methyl Donors also then impacts how we build (anabolic) and break down (catabolic) processes, throughout our waking moment. Enzymes ~ act as messengers to speed up or to finish~ many biochemistry processes. 

And where Methylation comes into all these is that it affects the efficacy or expression of these enzymes. This is confounded by environments affecting and shaping us as we age.

Where-ever and however we came to be, Mutations inevitably (and arguably) are necessary for “human diversity” sake. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms or commonly abbreviated as “snips” in nutrition science world ~ describe differences and variations amongst individual genetics. And these helps explain why some people express certain propensity towards certain diseases, more than other.

No – that does NOT mean one is more immune. We all carry some propensity for decline(s), one way or another.

Why this fascinates me? the subtlety of topics people often stop talking at the water-coolers. Namely and chiefly In my case, my nutrigenomics panel suggests my predispositions towards Alzheimer’s and Schizophrenia. 

Certainly interesting. Yet sametime, a little unsettling.

Two (sample) enzymes commonly impacted in psychology ~ COMT and MA.

Two enzymes I’m highlighting as chief examples for (mainly) psychology health ~ are COMT and MA. COMT (Catechyl O Methyl transferase), MA (Monoamine Oxidase), next to numerous others* control the rates of both the expression and clearances of Catecholamines.

Fun fact/question-for-thought = COMT and MAs are NOT JUST exclusively found in the brain. They’re in the lungs, livers, kidneys and the gut. The prevailing thought that our gut serving as the “second brain” might be true, after all.

Catecholamines are (dumbing this down for lay reading) ~ our fight and flight family of neurotransmitters ~ Adrenaline, Noradrenalline, Epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol and dopamine. They are absolutely essential, no  question, at withstanding against all form of stress, no matter how small. Dopamine also belongs here, despite misunderstood by mainstream media’s labelling as a pleasure hormone. At a deeper level it is  an anticipatory hormone, that is usually expressed or active when there is a potential reward to be had, or to be expected.

So where does Methylation comes in? Catecholamines may become under or over methylated, led by these genetic differences. Thus impacting how one reacts to stress.

Going back to COMT and MAOI as examples ~ each have their own variants. Either “Fast” (usually reported in nutrigenomics as “GG” or “-/-” / minus-minus) or Slow  (“AA” or “+/+” / plus-plus). A balanced expression would be reported as “AG” or “+/-“.

1. “Slow” refers to the slower action of an enzyme. This means that an elevated certain set of catecholamines may stay persistent, due to the COMT enzyme being dysfunctional by genetic inheritance, or cumulatively by epigenetic / environmental influence. As a result – these stress hormones do not always clear appropriately when exogenous stressors be it nutritional, environmental, and/or pscyhosocial subsided. Not mere minutes, but days, or even years after such an event. People who are deemed Slow methylators (“AA” or ++) are hyper focused. They can be assigned to a task, and quite literally ~ can never let go, until they convince themselves satisfied. Imposing deadlines do not necessarily work for them. They’re the “Worrier“. They are highly surveillant of their surrounds.
2. “Fast” methylation on the other hand refers to the opposite. Certainly a generalization here – but whenever you see people constantly tapping at their feet, rolling their eyes every few seconds ~ they are likely a typical example among the faster type. Easily distracted. Easily bored. The persistent thrill seeker. Flipside? They have iron resolve. They don’t flinch whenever something is wrong. Something shocking about the world’s news ~”who cares“? They – are the “Warriors”.

The above certainly remain subjective. There is an observation amongst MMA fighters to have much higher proportion of Warrior-like SNPs “GG” in their genotype. However, this does not explain other confounding  social and/or environmental factors, upbringing chiefly, as one of them. Were they “fighters” to begin/born with? Were they brought-up to like or be conditioned to desire to be associated in an environment of “fighters” to begin with? The study did also compare the MMA combat fighters against NON-combat athletes ~ and still found a significant correlation of the more Warrior genes exclusively with the MMA fighters.

Nevertheless, categorising people in binary terms is generally not a good idea, if at all. Sadly, we do it anyway, subconsciously.

My genetic profile tends to ruminate. This very topic of less-communicated diseases, for instance.

My case.

Given my slow-er traits of COMT, I tend to ruminate before making a decision. Though nevermind that in my line of work / my industry tends to view such opportunity as luxury.

I can get used to anything. Until thresholds are reached ~ I would seek something to compensate, anything ~ to ensure things are at bay. More often than not this leads to me working until I am absolutely informed (usually at my conviction) that it is enough.

That seems very logical, and very rational, are they not? Well, despite slow COMT being thought to be a creative type, we are also the most frequently misunderstood. 

I question all questions I receive, before I can answer. This is because each and every conversation I enter (voluntary or not) carries a “stake” somewhere down the line. Be it an hour later, day, week or even five years later.

I am amongst those who absorbs and ably recall about reactions out of every interaction ~ more so ~ than remembering names of people.

Obviously, I can forgive people’s mistakes. Even taking in entire people’s entire failures, and correct them for which I am happy to take responsibility for, on many occassions. Knowing the universe (Karma for that matter) repays, one way or another.

However when the above gets cumulative, I have to at some stage, become surveillant. And that ~ is where stress comes in. The stress is how to convince the other party ~ for them to reflect on their own communication.

When subjected or thrown to under very deep stress – that is ~ akin to being interrogated, framed into conversations unprepared, I had to invest a lot of energy to stay calm. Not just in that moment, but long afterwards as my inner surveillance lingers on days, weeks and months afterwards.

I shall have to stop here. Because my industry bread-and-butter revolves on my patience on protecting and accommodating privacy, secrecy and confidentiality.

However suffice to say I hope all the above grants enough understanding. Glimpse perhaps even, on how my frame of mind “works”.

2/2 Hyperacusis / idiopathic intolerance to one-sided sound exposure.

This is just simply a glimpse, (of many others on top) of conditions I speculate possibly being attributed to AS.

Hyperacousis is once thought as idiopathic ENT (ear nose throat) illness. But has some auto-immune implications. Put it simply – intolerances from persistent exposure to single (or in worse case – both) directional sources, for hours at a time. “Oversensitivity”, as they said it.

This also comes as part of a much  bigger discussion, that which I will share in Part four.

In my case I am most susceptible if the exposure is consistently that as one (1) directional source. Left or right. At certain volume, I am tolerant for hours on end. But it is a very fine line, that at certain quantity inflammation then, sets in.

Case in point. At one time (in 2011 I believe) I remembered stepping out of the office with my first ever letigimate event of vertigo. In front of a busy pedestrian light on one afternoon, I experienced what I felt not just a mere half second, but a full one or two second of paralysis ~ where I quite literally, “blanked everywhere”. Followed by dizziness lasting minutes.  I realised, that this response was enough. The public attention was more than enough. Referred to an ENT specialist ~ I was given a tour of my “ear” for the very first time. There was indeed, some marks of inflammation – some redness, but gladly not prompting clinical attention (yet).

This sadly was brushed as inconsequential. Amongst jobs I have had (and lost involuntarily), including amongst interviews – I am confident enough to say that people generally, are not sympathetic on non-communicable diseases.

In short, if one can somehow withstand by “masking”~ not mere days, but years or even decades – I envy them.

But I do not envy, and instead empathise with open ear – if they are forced to mask themselves to make ends (from all walks of life) meet together. That ~ I’d wager, is sadly the communicable diseases we are yet to disclose without shame. One way or another.

Contingencies / What I have done (and still learning).

This is perhaps getting somewhat lengthy. But this is my way of reconciling, at least in this concept initiative, of life’s mysteries. Chiefly among them I’d wager, is navigating the unwritten, and unspoken rules.

Here is an example. There is a saying that once you are approaching 40 the world expects you to know everything. Bucket lists, investments, investment property(s) included. Suffice to say, I am still learning. I don’t consider myself a failure, despite (expectations).

At the time of writing this, I am still also due to finish my Self-Meta on Vitamin A. Hence, what I share here are several copies of what I gathered from that write up for consolidated reading.

Psychology / Psycho-social settings

• Slow COMT predisposes me at times to become a mental sponge. Inviting too much of any outside / external information, can be a bad thing.
• In large group discussions, I’d rather be the “last” person to express or opinionate. I don’t usually “jump in”, but this obviously is subject to the context or theme of the discussion.
• However! In context of work ~ if nobody speaks on anything that directly (or indirectly) affects me – I would be willing to be the first volunteer to make an enquiry.
• If I am to adjust to new workplaces ~ I would refrain from giving lengthy conversations. Especially amidst matters of controversy, I implore (whoever I am speaking to) that they need sometime outside of work to really talk this through*.

Fun fact: as I am close approaching 40. Nobody, thus far, raised me an offer.

Nutrition & Supplementation

• From my Nutrigenomics consult, it has been suggested that I:
  • Limit fasting. Reason/claim: may elevate catechols for prolonged period of time. Although there is little to no research I can find to support this claim / assertion.
  • Limit coffee. Reason/claim: same as above / slows down catecholamine clearance.
  • Limit Rhodiola. Reason/claim: slows down catecholamine clearance. For those unaware, Rhodiola is an interestng adaptogen herb and I have had once tinkering with these almost for as long as a decade ago for overall mood support & resilience (but found it somewhat dubious).
  • Emphasize intakes of Mg (magnesium), Vitamin D, and omega 3.
  • Emphasize pre-methylated vitamin supplementations.
    • This includes the usual suspects of
  • Coincidentally in line with my prior writing on NOtropics ~ recommends Gingko as that may help prevent dopamine toxicity.
• (AUGUST 2024 update) I may at some stage be revisiting the controversy of Niacinamide and its alleged depletion effect of existing and essential methylation donors. Another paper in Nature seems to concur noting that increased catecholamines appear to be correlated with homocysteine.
• Too much copper may predispose to hyper-reactivity. I’ve first learned this with much thanks to the Holistic Psychiatry podcast. In retrospect between none, low and high intakes of copper sources (particularly – cocoa powder) ~ I felt somewhat too reactive on things that provoke a lengthy response.
• Coincidentally in line with what I wrote previously on the importance of stomach acids – Betaine HCL  supplementation is likely a long term supplement.
• In addition to the above consult, I may have to revisit supplementing other major methylation donor supports, particularly SAMe / S-adenosylmethionine. I did experiment with these a long time ago – and from what I could remember – was a PROFOUND emotional / uplift in my cognition. However the serious drawback is that it is insanely expensive. 
• I am in the process of compiling this with Self-Meta on Vitamin A as there appears to be interesting speculation(s) on the overlap of symptoms between hypervitaminosis A and copper toxicity.

Exercise.

• (Obviously) humility over intensity. Time under tensions. Limited Rests. Productivity over intensity. Cumulative exhaustion (marathon) vs sprint.
• In the quality vs quantity argument ~ there appears to be very fine line between when is too much or just right. I am still working on this, obviously as I am getting older.

Conclusion.

“Social media made y‘all way too comfortable with disrespecting people and not getting punched in the face for it.”. ~ Mike Tyson

If there is anything anyone can take on “non communicable” diseases is this mantra. Pick your judgments wisely. You can choose who to argue with. But you must willingly bear the intellectual punch ~ that another person’s biology, sociology, and biochemistry will not and cannot be changed, by opinions alone.

I welcome anyone to kneejerk that all this unnecessary. Because it is unnecessary to them. Until it does. People say some people are born more stubborn than others.  They’d probably haven’t had their pressure points triggered long enough, until it bothers them.

People are curious, that much I understand.  But I (who else would??) am not willing to jeopardise my bread and butter by simply being honest. Honesty is akin to just simply being a nut case.  If I am suspected to have double or multiple personalities, then I would respond ~ “Why? Does it “matter”? Why does it matter to you?“

Never mind the many times in conversations I have been cut short ~ both short and long ~ I am the awkward one. But I let “it” be. And that ~ wraps how I best communicate my “non-communicable” illnesses.

It has taken a long time for this to surface, ever since this initiative’s humble beginnings in 2013. Reason why it takes a long time? Because  I’m writing things that are retrospective, rather than speculative.

Honesty takes time. People these days sadly, have less of it. What a time to be alive.

Live-it-forward,

AW.