469 | id == 469
469 | category_id == 27
469 | category_order == 24
469 | category_name == Fatigue
469 | category_color == #C47AC0
469 | slug == MAOA-fatigue
469 | title == How Might Chemical Messenger Breakdown Influence Fatigue? (MAOA)
469 | meta_description == MAOA breaks down chemical messengers. Variants of MAOA have been associated with fatigue. Read more here.
469 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>The <em>MAOA </em>gene codes for an enzyme that breaks down chemical messengers. How might variants of <em>MAOA</em> increase the risk of chronic fatigue syndrome? Read more to find out.</strong></p>
469 | overall_score_text == Your Fatigue Score (based on MAOA gene)
469 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/MAOA-Chronic-fatigue-syndrome.jpg
469 | author_id == 14
469 | author_name == Shany Lahan
469 | author_title == MS (Neuroscience)
469 | author_order == 5
469 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Shany.webp
469 | author_intro == <p>Shany received her MSc in Neuroscience from Western University.</p>    <p>Prior to joining SelfDecode, Shany conducted research related to Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, and taught science to undergraduate students. She believes that research should be accessible to everyone, regardless of scientific background. Shany joined SelfDecode&nbsp;with a mission to help others optimize their health and wellbeing &ndash; as well as help them understand the science behind it all.</p>
469 | reviewer == None
469 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
469 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
469 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
469 | publish_date == 2020
469 | publish_date == 11
469 | publish_date == 11
469 | avg_rating == 5.0
469 | tags_id == 51
469 | tags_name == Dopamine
469 | tags_id == 916
469 | tags_name == MAOA Gene
469 | tags_id == 918
469 | tags_name == Monoamine
469 | tags_id == 917
469 | tags_name == Monoamine Oxidase
469 | tags_id == 52
469 | tags_name == Norepinephrine
469 | tags_id == 309
469 | tags_name == Serotonin
469 | tags_id == 485
469 | tags_name == Sleep
469 | permissions_favorite == False
469 | permissions_rate == False
469 | content_article == <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Summary</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MAOA </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">gene encodes monoamine oxidase A, an enzyme that breaks down chemical messengers (monoamines) involved in modulating arousal and sleepiness. Variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MAOA </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">may play a role in chronic fatigue syndrome by increasing monoamine oxidase A activity and lowering levels of monoamines. Lifestyle and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by balancing monoamine levels.</span></span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>MAOA </em></strong><strong>and Fatigue</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/maoa/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MAOA </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">gene</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> codes for </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/about-mao-a-and-what-to-do-if-you-have-the-warrior-gene/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">monoamine oxidase A</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, an enzyme that helps break down the chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/how-to-increase-serotonin/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">serotonin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/dopamine-definition-excess/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">dopamine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/norepinephrine-stress-hormone/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">norepinephrine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Collectively, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine are referred to as </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">monoamines</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene?Db=gene&amp;Cmd=DetailsSearch&amp;Term=4128"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">While a higher amount of monoamine oxidase A implies lower monoamine levels (due to increased breakdown), a lower amount of monoamine oxidase A implies higher monoamine levels (due to decreased breakdown).&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Monoamines play many complex roles in the nervous system, and the roles of each monoamine often overlap. Interestingly, some of these neurotransmitters also have the ability to modulate one another&rsquo;s activity [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23127500/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">For example, dopamine and norepinephrine can both induce arousal and alertness, while serotonin can inhibit the activity of these two neurotransmitters in order to induce sleepiness [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23127500/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MAOA </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">have been associated with chronic fatigue syndrome, an illness characterized by prolonged low energy. These variants may increase monoamine oxidase A activity and consequently decrease monoamine levels. Ultimately, the effects of these variants may result in a monoamine imbalance [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16610949/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11030484/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Your </strong><strong><em>MAOA</em></strong><strong> Results for Fatigue</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>*Note that </strong><strong><em>MAOA </em></strong><strong>is located on the X chromosome, so men (XY) will have single-lettered genotypes.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">*1947706229354291*</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Primary SNP</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>MAOA </em></strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs1137070/"><strong>rs1137070</strong></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16610949/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Increased risk of chronic fatigue syndrome</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Not associated with chronic fatigue syndrome</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Important SNPs</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>MAOA </em></strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs979605/"><strong>rs979605</strong></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16610949/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Increased risk of chronic fatigue syndrome</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = Not associated with chronic fatigue syndrome</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>MAOA </em></strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs979606/"><strong>rs979606</strong></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16610949/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Increased risk of chronic fatigue syndrome</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Not associated with chronic fatigue syndrome</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;">*2365522373606818*</p> <h2 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Recommendations for Reducing Fatigue</strong></h2> <p>*9412162521663758*</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to its effects on fatigue, high and low activity of monoamine oxidase A have been linked to conditions such as depression and aggression (respectively). Therefore, rather than following recommendations that decrease monoamine oxidase A activity, individuals carrying risk variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MAOA </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">should aim to temporarily or slightly increase monoamine levels [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10389141/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Lifestyle</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Exercise</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many animal- and human-based studies have attested to </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/top-14-proven-health-benefits-exercise-references-mechanisms/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">exercise</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">&rsquo;s ability to modulate levels of monoamines [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23127500/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4061837/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A sedentary lifestyle is a common cause of persistent fatigue. Several studies have reported that practicing more exercise may reduce fatigue in healthy people. Paradoxically, being &lsquo;too tired&rsquo; was the most common excuse for not exercising in a study on middle-aged and elderly people [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23783259/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18277063/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4816334/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24154584/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">People with chronic fatigue syndrome are at especially high risk of not meeting physical activity requirements. In people with this condition, engaging in regular physical exercise may help reduce fatigue </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&mdash; </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">even more than in healthy controls, according to one meta-analysis</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21166613/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6419524/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5026555/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Multiple studies have reported that exercise may help with fatigue from other conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, COPD, lupus, ALS, fibromyalgia, muscle disease, and heart failure [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7068865/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5931245/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6168432/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6937526/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28477898/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32452880/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2911859/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20091552/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16713337/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, over-exercising can lead to fatigue and several health issues. Experts recommend moderate exercise such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Exercise may reduce fatigue by balancing levels of monoamines.</span></p> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Cold Exposure</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/12-reasons-embrace-cold/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cold</a> exposure has been linked to temporary decreases in monoamine oxidase A activity and increases in monoamine levels [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6193823/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4002366/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29075844/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7327272/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Multiple studies found </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">cold</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> water immersion prior to exercise to be effective at increasing performance. During exercise, only external cooling (e.g., by wearing cooling garments) may reduce fatigue from anaerobic exercise, while both external and internal cooling (e.g., by ingesting cold beverages) seem to improve aerobic performance [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29173092/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29952675/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31340407/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Similarly, cold exposure after exercise has been suggested to reduce fatigue perception after 48-72 hours in multiple trials. Whole-body immersion in cold water seems more effective than cryotherapy [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27398915/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30321486/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23434565/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27396361/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29127510/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Cold exposure may reduce fatigue by temporarily decreasing monoamine oxidase A activity and increasing monoamine levels.</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Supplements</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Curcumin (Turmeric)</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/curcumin-cures-top-15-scientifically-proven-health-benefits-with-references/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Curcumin</a> (turmeric) has been linked to increases in monoamine levels in numerous studies. This effect has been attributed to temporary inhibition of monoamine oxidase A [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30109004/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19882093/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27279695/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32307422/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30575146/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a randomized controlled trial, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">curcumin</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> was reported to significantly reduce pain and fatigue in postoperative patients [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21671126/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A clinical trial of people with occupational stress-related </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/natural-treatments-anxiety/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">anxiety</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and fatigue demonstrated that a highly bioavailable combination of curcumin and </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/benefits-fenugreek/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">fenugreek</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> fiber improved related symptoms better than a standard curcumin formulation [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27043120/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Curcumin was also found to reduce fatigue in a mouse model of chronic fatigue syndrome [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19159825/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Curcumin (turmeric) may reduce fatigue by temporarily decreasing monoamine oxidase A activity and increasing monoamine levels.</span></p>
469 | content_snp_table_1947706229354291_key == 1947706229354291
469 | content_snp_table_1947706229354291_blur == True
469 | content_snp_table_1947706229354291_hidden == False
469 | content_learn_more_2365522373606818_key == 2365522373606818
469 | content_learn_more_2365522373606818_blur == True
469 | content_learn_more_2365522373606818_hidden == False
469 | content_learn_more_2365522373606818_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your MAOA gene makes you somewhat more likely to develop chronic fatigue syndrome. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of elevated fatigue; it’s just one gene related to it. Exercise, cold exposure, and curcumin supplements may help. Keep scrolling to find out more.
469 | content_recommendation_9412162521663758_key == 9412162521663758
469 | content_recommendation_9412162521663758_blur == True
469 | content_recommendation_9412162521663758_hidden == False
rsIDs = rs979605,rs1137070,rs979606
rsStatus = rs979605,MAOA,chrX,43742116,A,G,T,,5,22,HET
rsStatus = rs1137070,MAOA,chrX,43744144,T,C,,,4,9,HET
rsStatus = rs979606,MAOA,chrX,43741895,C,T,,,3,9,HET
