• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Women: Can You Fool Your Genes?

Posted on: Thursday, 16 February 2006, 03:00 CST

By CHARLOTTE HAIGH

HEART DISEASE

THE GENE FACTOR: Coronary heart disease affects half of UK adults and seems to run in families, although not necessarily for genetic reasons.

"There's a small percentage of people who have an inherited condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia, which means blood cholesterol is very high, even though they're lean and fit," says Cathy Ross, a cardiac nurse for the British Heart Foundation (www.bhf.org.uk).

"But in most cases, it's down to inherited lifestyle factors - if your parents smoke and eat junk food, the chances are you will, too. And that will hugely raise your risk."

LOWER YOUR RISK: If you suspect familial hypercholesterolaemia in your family, see your GP for tests. If it's diagnosed, you'll be put on medication to lower your cholesterol. Otherwise, it's down to your lifestyle.

Limit full-fat dairy, red meat, salt and trans fats and eat more whole grains, fruit and veg - all rich in fibre - to carry cholesterol out of the body. A long-term healthy diet is thought to reduce your risk significantly.

Also try a supplement such as Cardioace (pounds 5.90 for 30 caps, from Boots), which contains heart-friendly vitamins, fish oil and garlic.

Take regular exercise and aim to reduce your waist to less than 37ins if you're a man or 32ins if you're a woman. And stop smoking - visit www.bhf.org.uk/smoking or call 0800 1691900.

DIABETES

THE GENE FACTOR: About three in every 100 people are diabetic but the Diabetes UK charity estimates a further one million have the condition without knowing it.

"Having a family history of diabetes is a risk factor," says Emma Bunn, care adviser at Diabetes UK. "If either parent has Type 1 diabetes - where the body is unable to produce insulin in order to use the glucose in your diet - you have up to a nine per cent risk of developing the condition.

"For Type 2 diabetes - where the body produces a little insulin, or insulin that doesn't work properly - there's a 15 per cent risk." But that's not the full story. "For Type 2 diabetes, being overweight or leading a sedentary lifestyle can also increase the risk."

LOWER YOUR RISK: If you're above a healthy weight, shift those pounds and follow a long-term healthy eating plan.

"Research suggests a diet based mainly on foods low on the glycaemic index could help your body use glucose more efficiently, so may reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes," says Azmina Govindji, dietitian and author of The 10-Day GI Diet (Vermilion, pounds 6.99).

As a rule, avoid refined carbohydrates such as sugar and white bread, stick to wholegrain bread, basmati rice and fresh fruit and veg, and try to eat protein such as cheese, meat, nuts or fish with starchy foods - this slows down the release of glucose. Stop smoking, as there's evidence chemicals in cigarettes interfere with the effects of insulin, and try to do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day. Visit www.diabetes.org.uk

CANCER

THE GENE FACTOR: About one in three of us will get cancer at some point and, in some cases, there could be a genetic link.

"For example, about five to 10 per cent of bowel and womb cancers are believed to be linked to a mutation in one of the known bowel cancer genes," says Andrea Pithers, of Cancer Bacup (www.bacup.org.uk).

While Dr Sarah Rawlings, of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, says: "A woman carrying a harmful mutation in the breast cancer genes has up to an 85 per cent chance of developing breast cancer."

But with any form of cancer, genes only account for a small percentage of cases, so it's probably only an issue for you if there's a very strong family history of cancer before the age of 60. And in some forms of the disease, lifestyle plays a much bigger part.

LOWER YOUR RISK: With many types of cancer, awareness and early diagnosis are your best weapons. So go for check-ups, such as the three-yearly smear test, and check your breasts regularly for lumps.

Watch for changes in moles, which can be an early sign of skin cancer. And if you notice blood in your stools, or your bowel habits suddenly change, always see your doctor - rarely, they can be symptoms of bowel cancer. Obesity seems to be linked to certain forms of the disease, including breast cancer, so try to get to a healthy weight and adopt a healthy diet. Smoking is linked to most cases of lung cancer and also plays a role in many other forms, including oral and bladder cancers.

STROKE

THE GENE FACTOR: "Some people have a genetic predisposition to stroke," says Hugh Markus, professor of neurology and medical adviser for The Stroke Association (www. stroke.org.uk). "But other factors such as high blood pressure and smoking are equally important." There is one gene mutation which carries a very strong risk of stroke but this is relatively rare. "Even in people with the mutation, a study found those who smoked had their first stroke on average 10 years before those who were non-smokers."

LOWER YOUR RISK: Here's yet another reason to stop smoking - it doubles your risk of stroke, partly because it weakens blood vessels.

Cut back on your salt intake, as it's also a serious risk factor. Regular exercise is also important but if you're over 40 and unfit, but check with your doctor before starting a vigorous regime.

DEPRESSION

THE GENE FACTOR: "Depression does seem to run in some families," says Sophie Corlett, policy director at mental health charity Mind (www.mind.org.uk).

"But we don't know whether it's down to nature or nurture. Even if you do inherit the tendency to depression, it wouldn't be inevitable that you'd experience it.

What's going on in your life is crucial in determining mental health."

LOWER YOUR RISK: "Whether you have a family history or not, there are things you can do to prevent depression," says Sophie.

"Exercise helps lift your mood and you should also eat healthily. Avoid sugary foods and caffeine, which can trigger mood swings. Some foods, such as oily fish, have been shown to be good for the brain.

"Also, make time for yourself. If you're feeling low for no reason, and it persists for a few weeks, consider seeing your GP."

ALZHEIMER'S

THE GENE FACTOR: A recent study in the Archives Of General Psychiatry suggested that up to 79 per cent of Alzheimer's cases could have a genetic link.

But that doesn't mean that you'll get the disease just because one of your parents had it. The Alzheimer's Society (www.alzheimers. org.uk) points out that a number of factors are involved, including lifestyle.

Early-onset Alzheimer's, though, has a stronger gene connection - so if you have two or more close relatives who developed the disease before 60, speak to your doctor about genetic counselling.

LOWER YOUR RISK: Research in the Annals Of Internal Medicine earlier this year found that older people who exercise three times a week can cut their risk of Alzheimer's by up to 40 per cent.

Eating a healthy diet - low in fat and high in fruit and vegetables - seems to be beneficial, while drinking one or two glasses of red wine a day may also help.

The Alzheimer's Society recommends keeping your mind stimulated with a good social network and mental challenges such as crosswords or learning a language.

Staying trim and eating healthily can slash your chances of falling ill

SHOULD YOU BE TESTED?

GENETIC testing is available for certain diseases with a strong hereditary link, including Huntington's Disease, early-onset Alzheimer's and some forms of breast cancer.

But there are pros and cons to testing. "Knowing you carry a fault in one of the two known breast cancer genes allows you to make better informed decisions - for example, regular breast screening at a younger age or preventative surgery," says Dr Sarah Rawlings.

But the Huntington's Disease Association points out that living with the knowledge that you have a high chance of developing the illness could be very distressing - and may even affect your ability to get life insurance. Ultimately, it's up to the individual, so discuss it with your GP if you're worried and they'll be able to refer you for genetic counselling.

HOW I SURVIVED NINE MISCARRIAGES AND ONE STILLBIRTH - TURN THE PAGE

Source: Daily Mirror

More News in this Category