How Does Alcohol Increase the Risk of Cancer? | Dr. Andrew Huberman

One of the really bad effects of alcohol . But that's extremely well documented is the fact that alcohol because of this toxicity of acetyl aldehyde and related pathways can alter DNA methylation . It can alter gene expression .

How Does Alcohol Increase the Risk of Cancer? | Dr. Andrew Huberman

But the point is that the more alcohol people drink , the greater their increase of cancer , in particular breast cancer . And that's because of the fact that alcohol has these effects on cells that include changes in gene expression and cancer . That is the growth of tumors is a dysregulation in cell cycles , right ?

How Does Alcohol Increase the Risk of Cancer? | Dr. Andrew Huberman

Again , the literature doesn't support that . But also , again , there aren't a lot of studies but more to the point as it relates to alcohol in the formation of tumors and cancers , it does appear that decreased folate and other B vitamins like B 12 are partially responsible for the effect of alcohol and increasing cancer risk . And it does appear that consuming adequate amounts of folate and B 12 might again , might partially really want a bold face and underline and highlight , partially offset some of that increased risk .

How Does Alcohol Increase the Risk of Cancer? | Dr. Andrew Huberman

But it is associate with a significant increase in cancer risk in particular , breast cancer . And in particular because breast tissue is present in both males and females , but in women , it's especially vulnerable to some of the DNA methylation changes . Well , breast cancer in women has a relationship to alcohol intake and alcohol intake has a relationship to breast cancer in women .

How Does Alcohol Increase the Risk of Cancer? | Dr. Andrew Huberman

But that's extremely well documented is the fact that alcohol because of this toxicity of acetyl aldehyde and related pathways can alter DNA methylation . It can alter gene expression . That can mean many things in different tissues .