470 | id == 470
470 | category_id == 27
470 | category_order == 24
470 | category_name == Fatigue
470 | category_color == #C47AC0
470 | slug == MAOB-fatigue
470 | title == Breakdown of Sleep-Wake Compounds & Elevated Fatigue (MAOB)
470 | meta_description == MAOB breaks down sleep-wake compounds. Variants of MAOB have been associated with fatigue. Read more here.
470 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>The <em>MAOB </em>gene codes for an enzyme that breaks down compounds involved in arousal and sleepiness. How might variants of <em>MAOB </em>increase the risk of chronic fatigue syndrome? Read more to find out.</strong><br />  &nbsp;</p>
470 | overall_score_text == Your Fatigue Score (based on MAOB gene)
470 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/MAOB-Chronic-fatigue-syndrome.jpg
470 | author_id == 14
470 | author_name == Shany Lahan
470 | author_title == MS (Neuroscience)
470 | author_order == 5
470 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Shany.webp
470 | 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>
470 | reviewer == None
470 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
470 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
470 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
470 | publish_date == 2020
470 | publish_date == 11
470 | publish_date == 11
470 | avg_rating == 5.0
470 | tags_id == 51
470 | tags_name == Dopamine
470 | tags_id == 919
470 | tags_name == MAOB Gene
470 | tags_id == 918
470 | tags_name == Monoamine
470 | tags_id == 917
470 | tags_name == Monoamine Oxidase
470 | tags_id == 52
470 | tags_name == Norepinephrine
470 | tags_id == 920
470 | tags_name == Phenylethylamine
470 | tags_id == 309
470 | tags_name == Serotonin
470 | permissions_favorite == False
470 | permissions_rate == False
470 | 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;">MAOB </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">gene encodes monoamine oxidase B, an enzyme that breaks down compounds (phenylethylamine and monoamines) involved in modulating arousal and sleepiness. Variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MAOB </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">may play a role in chronic fatigue syndrome by increasing monoamine oxidase B activity. Lifestyle and diet modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by balancing levels of phenylethylamine and monoamines.</span></span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>MAOB</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/maob/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MAOB</span></em></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">gene codes for monoamine oxidase B, an enzyme that helps break down compounds such as </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/health-effects-phenethylamine/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">phenylethylamine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/4129"><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;">Dopamine is a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) with many roles in the brain. Phenylethylamine can stimulate the release of dopamine and other chemical messengers, including </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/how-to-increase-serotonin/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">serotonin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">&nbsp;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/pubmed/9671094"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3129549"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8272197"><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;">While a higher amount of monoamine oxidase B implies lower monoamine levels (due to increased breakdown), a lower amount of monoamine oxidase B 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;&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MAOB </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 B activity and consequently decrease monoamine levels. Ultimately, the effects of these variants may result in a monoamine imbalance, dysregulating monoamine function [</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>MAOB </em></strong><strong>Results for Fatigue</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>*Note that </strong><strong><em>MAOB </em></strong><strong>is located on the X chromosome, so men (XY) will have single-lettered genotypes.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">*5320917603725175*</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Primary SNP</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>MAOB </em></strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs3027452/"><strong>rs3027452</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;G&rsquo; = Increased risk of chronic fatigue syndrome</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&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>MAOB </em></strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs2283729/"><strong>rs2283729</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;G&rsquo; = Increased risk of chronic fatigue syndrome</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Not associated with chronic fatigue syndrome</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>MAOB </em></strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs1799836/"><strong>rs1799836</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;">*5868138027072907*</p> <h2 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Recommendations for Reducing Fatigue</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">*9206920498655693*</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 B have been linked to conditions such as depression and excessive reactivity to stress (respectively). Therefore, rather than following recommendations that decrease monoamine oxidase B activity, individuals carrying risk variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MAOB </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">should aim to temporarily or slightly increase phenylethylamine and 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><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2844879/"><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 phenylethylamine and 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;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1724404/"><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 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;">Participating in moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, may reduce fatigue by modulating levels of <span style="font-weight: 400;">phenylethylamine and monoamines</span>.&nbsp;</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Diet</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Blackcurrant</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ingestion of blackcurrant juice reduced physical and mental fatigue in healthy volunteers. Similarly, blackcurrant anthocyanins reduced shoulder fatigue and stiffness from typing in a small trial [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6679481/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29343201/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15605279/"><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 cyclists, blackcurrant fruit powder reduced blood </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/the-brains-secret-backup-generator/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">lactate</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> buildup during exercise and improved cardiovascular function at rest. In climbers, blackcurrant extract increased hanging and total climbing times [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25811286/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31515632/"><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 two randomized controlled trials, blackcurrant juice was found to temporarily increase monoamine levels, while also improving mood. Although this effect was attributed to inhibition of monoamine oxidase B, it was almost completely reversed 24 hours after consumption of a single drink [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31375128/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30289026/"><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;">Blackcurrant may reduce fatigue by temporarily inhibiting the activity of monoamine oxidase B and increasing levels of monoamines.&nbsp;</span></p> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Dark Chocolate</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Flavonol-rich </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/health-benefits-cocoa/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">cocoa</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and dark chocolate have been shown to reduce physical and mental fatigue in people with sustained mental effort, chronic fatigue syndrome, and multiple sclerosis [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19942640/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3001690/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30014865/"><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;">The effects of dark chocolate may also be attributed to its </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/caffeine-benefits/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">caffeine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> content. A comprehensive clinical review of 21 meta-analyses concluded that caffeine improves exercise performance in a broad range of exercise tasks, in part through its anti-fatigue effects [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30926628/"><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;">When caffeine delays fatigue, the body&rsquo;s muscles can contract more forcefully and allow people to exercise longer. Aerobic exercise such as running, jogging, cardio workout, swimming, and biking can benefit the most from increased training volume [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11583104/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19757860/"><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;">Caffeine may also improve alertness while reducing mental fatigue, especially in </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/health-benefits-sleep/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sleep</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">-deprived people. Several studies report reduced fatigue from mentally-demanding tasks after taking caffeine-containing beverages. However, frequent users seem to develop tolerance to the effects of caffeine [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5608989/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK209050/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29247343/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18006208/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26320858/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16272184/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15678363/"><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;">Interestingly, dark chocolate also contains phenylethylamine, serotonin, dopamine, and their precursors -- although scientists warn that individuals may need to eat plenty of dark chocolate to reap the associated benefits from these compounds [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1413998/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16314166/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3575938/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Dark chocolate contains flavonols and caffeine, which may reduce fatigue by modulating levels of phenylethylamine and monoamines.</span></p>
470 | content_snp_table_5320917603725175_key == 5320917603725175
470 | content_snp_table_5320917603725175_blur == True
470 | content_snp_table_5320917603725175_hidden == False
470 | content_learn_more_5868138027072907_key == 5868138027072907
470 | content_learn_more_5868138027072907_blur == True
470 | content_learn_more_5868138027072907_hidden == False
470 | content_learn_more_5868138027072907_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your MAOB 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, blackcurrant, and dark chocolate may help. Keep scrolling to find out more.
470 | content_recommendation_9206920498655693_key == 9206920498655693
470 | content_recommendation_9206920498655693_blur == True
470 | content_recommendation_9206920498655693_hidden == False
rsIDs = rs1799836,rs2283729,rs3027452
rsStatus = rs1799836,MAOB,chrX,43768752,T,A,C,,16,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs2283729,MAOB,chrX,43818795,G,A,C,,5,11,HET
rsStatus = rs3027452,MAOB,chrX,43798542,G,A,,,11,0,Normal
