476 | id == 476
476 | category_id == 27
476 | category_order == 24
476 | category_name == Fatigue
476 | category_color == #C47AC0
476 | slug == COMT-catecholamines-fatigue
476 | title == Genetic Link Between Stress & Fatigue (COMT)
476 | meta_description == The COMT gene codes for an enzyme that breaks down catecholamines. Click to learn about its link with fatigue.
476 | summary == <p>Did you know that stress-related genes may influence your energy levels? This post reveals the link between the <em>COMT</em> gene and fatigue &mdash; personalized tips included!&nbsp;<br />  &nbsp;</p>
476 | overall_score_text == Your Fatigue Score (based on COMT gene)
476 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/COMT-Tiredness-CFS.jpg
476 | author_id == 9
476 | author_name == Aleksa Ristic
476 | author_title == MS (Pharmacy)
476 | author_order == 45
476 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Aleksa.jpg
476 | author_intro == <p><strong>Aleksa received his MS in Pharmacy from the University of Belgrade, his master thesis focusing on protein sources in plant-based diets.</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>    <p>Aleksa is passionate about herbal pharmacy, nutrition, and functional medicine. He found a way to merge his two biggest passions&mdash;writing and health&mdash;and use them for noble purposes. His mission is to bridge the gap between science and everyday life, helping readers improve their health and feel better.</p>
476 | reviewer == None
476 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
476 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
476 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
476 | publish_date == 2020
476 | publish_date == 11
476 | publish_date == 12
476 | avg_rating == 4.75
476 | tags_id == 505
476 | tags_name == Catecholamines
476 | tags_id == 65
476 | tags_name == COMT Gene
476 | tags_id == 68
476 | tags_name == Fatigue
476 | tags_id == 50
476 | tags_name == Stress
476 | tags_id == 927
476 | tags_name == Sympathetic activity
476 | permissions_favorite == False
476 | permissions_rate == False
476 | content_article == <table style="height: 34px; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" border="1" cellpadding="10"> <tbody> <tr style="height: 34px;"> <td style="width: 100%; text-align: justify; height: 34px;"><strong>Note:</strong> For a detailed analysis of your <em>COMT</em> gene, associated conditions, and things you can do to counteract its adverse effects, check out&nbsp;our <em><strong><a href="https://get.selfdecode.com/comt/">COMT DNA Wellness Report</a></strong></em>!</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>Summary</strong></h2> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><strong>The COMT gene codes for an enzyme that breaks down catecholamines. People with chronic fatigue tend to have higher catecholamine levels.<br /><br /></strong><strong>Specific gene variants can reduce COMT activity. They have been associated with chronic fatigue of multiple origins.<br /><br /></strong><strong>This post reveals simple approaches that may reduce fatigue by targeting your COMT variants.</strong></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>COMT, Catecholamines &amp; Fatigue</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/comt/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">COMT</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene codes for an enzyme that breaks down catecholamines, a family of neurotransmitters including </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/dopamine/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">dopamine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/norepinephrine-stress-hormone/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">norepinephrine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and epinephrine [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8576124/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12371153/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16878403/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The sympathetic nervous system releases catecholamines, and their excess levels play a role in various stress-related disorders. According to research, people with </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-real-heres-test/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">chronic fatigue syndrome</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> have enhanced sympathetic activity and elevated catecholamines [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19236717/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23388153/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17606539/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h2><strong>Your COMT Results for Fatigue</strong></h2> <p>*1153859354528847*</p> <p><strong>Primary SNP:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs9332377/"><strong>rs9332377</strong></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25826379/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; - associated with relatively higher odds of tiredness and lethargy</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; - associated with lower odds of tiredness and lethargy</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>Other Important SNPs:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs4680/"><strong>rs4680</strong></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25826379/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26272340/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24951880/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; - associated with chronic fatigue of multiple origins</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; - not associated with fatigue</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;A&rsquo; allele reduces COMT activity and increases catecholamines</span></li> </ul> <p><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs4633/"><strong>rs4633</strong></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25826379/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26849490/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; - associated with chronic fatigue of multiple origins</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; - not associated with fatigue</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;T&rsquo; allele reduces COMT activity and increases catecholamines</span></li> </ul> <p><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs4818/"><strong>rs4818</strong></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25826379/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26849490/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; - associated with relatively higher odds of fibromyalgia and tiredness</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; - associated with lower odds of fibromyalgia and tiredness</span></li> </ul> <p>*3611797022061389*</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>Recommendations to Reduce Fatigue</strong></h2> <p>*3069848124584085*</p> <h3><strong>Lifestyle</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Try to Reduce Stress</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Psychological </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/63-factors-raising-stress-cortisol-level-backed-science/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">stress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is the main trigger of sympathetic activity and catecholamine release. People with less active COMT are thus more prone to stress &amp; anxiety due to chronically elevated catecholamines [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2933136/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3928117/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17008817/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4547321/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stress and fatigue are closely related and may contribute to each other. Chronic stress exposure and stressful life events may increase physical and mental fatigue and even cause chronic fatigue syndrome [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26143479/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24630177/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19812026/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3894419/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28119163/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cognitive-behavioral therapy for stress management may reduce fatigue from chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and</span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/causes-symptoms-diagnosis-risk-factors-of-multiple-sclerosis/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">multiple sclerosis</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7028002/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28984402/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27772557/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6719827/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31927347/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Relaxation therapy with breathing and muscle relaxation exercises may also reduce fatigue from different chronic conditions [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9054791/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11729022/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22967281/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15338385/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12719750/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Avoid stress and practice relaxation techniques to reduce the impact of your gene variants on fatigue.</span></p> <h4><strong>Try to Improve Sleep Quality</strong></h4> <p><strong><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/health-benefits-sleep/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sleep</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> disturbances and poor sleep quality are associated with higher catecholamine levels. Multiple studies have linked shift work and sleep disturbances with chronic fatigue [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3268184/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3022944/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11439783/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4434546/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25940538/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23046847/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17573454/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">People with lower COMT activity should thus do their best to improve sleep quality</span></strong></p> <h3><strong>Diet</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Increase Folate Intake</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Low </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/16-proven-benefits-vitamin-b9-folate-folic-acid/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">folate</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (vitamin B9) levels may worsen the impact of your variants. Folate replenishes SAM-e, one of the essential compounds that &ldquo;activate&rdquo; COMT [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11577006/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10554704/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12371153/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Folate deficiency may contribute to chronic fatigue syndrome, anemia, and other chronic conditions with low energy levels [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12003352/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1828842/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8518428_New_Insights_into_Erythropoiesis_The_Roles_of_Folate_Vitamin_B12_and_Iron"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8255470/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, and kale are high in folate. Other good sources include citrus fruits, legumes, and liver [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK114318"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Increased folate intake may counteract your COMT variants and prevent fatigue.</span></p> <h3><strong>Supplements</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Vitamin D</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">People with low </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/35proven-health-benefits-vitamin-d-part-1/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">vitamin D</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> levels tend to have excess sympathetic activity and elevated catecholamines. Vitamin D supplementation reversed these changes in clinical trials [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5880874/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5037550/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many studies have associated vitamin D deficiency with fatigue and muscle weakness, although not all deficient people experience these symptoms [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3442332/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19835345"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17634462/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22020957/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Correcting vitamin D deficiency with supplements may improve fatigue in healthy people and those with various chronic conditions [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5207540/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25210673/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4182952/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4158648/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6513642/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Vitamin D supplementation may improve fatigue by targeting your gene variants.</span></p>
476 | content_snp_table_1153859354528847_key == 1153859354528847
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476 | content_snp_table_1153859354528847_hidden == False
476 | content_learn_more_3611797022061389_key == 3611797022061389
476 | content_learn_more_3611797022061389_blur == True
476 | content_learn_more_3611797022061389_hidden == False
476 | content_learn_more_3611797022061389_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your COMT gene is slightly associated with fatigue. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of fatigue; it’s just one gene related to it. Try to avoid stress and increase your folate intake to combat fatigue. Keep reading to learn more.
476 | content_recommendation_3069848124584085_key == 3069848124584085
476 | content_recommendation_3069848124584085_blur == True
476 | content_recommendation_3069848124584085_hidden == False
rsIDs = rs4633,rs4818,rs9332377,rs4680
rsStatus = rs4633,COMT,chr22,19962712,C,T,,,21,13,HET
rsStatus = rs4818,COMT,chr22,19963684,C,G,T,,18,13,HET
rsStatus = rs9332377,ARVCF,chr22,19968169,C,A,T,,53,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs4680,COMT,chr22,19963748,G,A,,,19,11,HET
