By Mikala Evans, MPH



As many as 40 percent of adults in the United States, or approximately 103.3 million people, may not know they are currently living with high cholesterol.<a id="_ftnref1" href="#_ftn1">[1]</a>



High cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease/cardiovascular disease &#8211; the #1 killer of men and women in the United States.<a id="_ftnref2" href="#_ftn2">[2]</a> 



Learning about cholesterol, including how to test for and improve specific numbers, is the first step in reducing the risk of this disease. While this has historically looked like diet and exercise, genetics is starting to play a more significant role in our understanding of individual and familial risk. Before we begin to unpack lifestyle and genetics regarding heart health, let’s start with a basic cholesterol panel.



<div style="float: right; text-align: justified; width: 340px; background-color: #eee; padding: 15px; margin-left: 10px;"><h2>Key Terms</h2>
 

 

Cholesterol is a critical substance required by the cells in our body to make many things, including cell membranes, hormones, and vitamin D. Our bodies use our blood to get cholesterol to our cells, where it can be utilized. However, cholesterol and other fats essential for our cells (notably triglycerides) do not travel well in blood. Our body solves this problem by using lipoproteins. Key Terms 

Lipoprotein is a fancy word for a transport system that surrounds triglycerides (fats) and most cholesterol so they can travel through blood. The amount of cholesterol within a lipoprotein can vary. The two most common lipoproteins are HDL (“good”) and LDL (“bad”). A major difference between these two, and a large part of what makes them good or bad, is the apolipoprotein that is included in their transport system. 

Apolipoproteins act as keys that allow HDL or LDL to be brought inside a cell. Once inside, the fat and cholesterol are released and utilized. LDLs contain apolipoprotein B or Apo B, while HDLs contain apolipoprotein A or Apo A. For heart health, apolipoprotein B is often focused on as it is what makes LDL “bad.” Apolipoprotein B is associated with the entrapment of these lipoproteins in arterial walls, which can lead blocked arteries over time. 
 
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Cholesterol panels are a great way to get a current snapshot of your heart health and will often include the key terms mentioned in the sidebar. ApoB measures how many LDL particles are in the blood. In contrast, LDL-C measures the amount of cholesterol these LDL particles carry (remember: the amount of cholesterol can vary per particle). Total cholesterol measures your blood&#8217;s total amount of cholesterol, including LDL and HDL. Per the American Heart Association (AHA), the optimal total cholesterol level is about 150 mg/dL, with LDL-C at or below 100 mg/dL.



These values are critical for heart health and can be further understood through their relationship with lifestyle and genetics. Lifestyle changes are beneficial for most people and are a great place to start when trying to improve cholesterol, ApoB, and <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/health-predispositions/ldl-cholesterol/">LDL levels</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lifestyle">Lifestyle</h2>



When discussing lifestyle habits, much of the advice is common knowledge today: maintain a healthy weight, stay physically active, and make heart-healthy food choices. While healthy weight varies per individual, certain foods are better to limit. Reducing the amount of saturated fat and avoiding trans fat can help improve cholesterol and ApoB levels. 



Foods with saturated fats include red meat, whole milk, dairy products, coconut oil, and palm oil. Limiting trans fat consumption is best, but it might also be hidden as its alternative name, partially hydrogenated oils. It’s important to note that the focus here is on eating less saturated and trans fat and not eating less cholesterol. That’s because most cholesterol in our circulation is made by our cells and not consumed. The human body makes all the cholesterol it needs.<a id="_ftnref3" href="#_ftn3">[3]</a> 



It was once believed that eating eggs, which are high in cholesterol, would increase cholesterol levels. This has recently been shown to not be true as humans excrete most of the cholesterol they consume. It’s the consumption of saturated fats and trans fats that are actually raising cholesterol levels. These foods can be replaced with unsaturated fats in salmon, avocados, nuts, olive oil, and canola oil.



The other piece of the heart health puzzle is genetics. Two specific genetic conditions have a huge impact on heart health and have seen recent scientific breakthroughs: <a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/health-predispositions/fh/">Familial Hypercholesterolemia</a> and Lp(a).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lp-a">Lp(a)</h2>



<a href="https://investors.23andme.com/news-releases/news-release-details/23andme-aims-raise-awareness-lipoproteina-little-known-genetic">Lipoprotein (a)</a>, or Lp(a) (pronounced L-P-little a), is a type of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and therefore contains ApoB. About 1 in 5 people worldwide have high lipoprotein(a) levels<a id="_ftnref4" href="#_ftn4">[4]</a>.



Although all types of LDL can contribute to fatty buildups in arteries, Lp(a) particles are considered the most &#8220;sticky.&#8221; This means high levels of Lp(a) increase a person’s chances of these fatty buildups in and on arterial walls. Lp(a) levels are relatively stable over a person’s lifetime because genes control how much Lp(a) a person’s body makes. 



By age 5, people usually have their &#8220;adult level&#8221; of Lp(a), which tends to remain at that level regardless of diet and exercise.<a id="_ftnref5" href="#_ftn5">[5]</a> Lp(a) levels can also vary with ethnicity. For example, people of African, African American, or South Asian descent have higher Lp(a) levels on average compared to people of East Asian, European, or Hispanic descent<a id="_ftnref6" href="#_ftn6">[6]</a>.



If you are wondering about your Lp(a) levels, these can be determined via a serum blood test. This blood test is different from a cholesterol panel. A routine cholesterol test may show that your LDL cholesterol level is &#8220;healthy,&#8221; but if a large percentage of the LDL cholesterol is carried by Lp(a) particles, the risk for heart disease and stroke could still be high.<a href="#_ftn7" id="_ftnref7">[7]</a> As this is not a routine blood test, you may need to specifically request it from your healthcare provider.



Historically, there were few, if any, treatments for increased Lp(a). Lp(a) was not frequently measured due to these limited treatment options and the minimal impact of lifestyle changes. Thankfully, recent scientific breakthroughs have seen progress in the ability to treat Lp(a), and people who are diagnosed now have options to get their numbers back under control.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-familial-hypercholesterolemia">Familial Hypercholesterolemia</h2>



<div style="float: right; text-align: justified; width: 340px; background-color: #eee; padding: 15px; margin-left: 10px;"><h2>23andMe’s FH Report</h2>
 

 


Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH), is one of the most common genetic conditions. It’s linked to variants in multiple genes. Two of these genes are called APOB and LDLR. There are over 1,000 genetic variants known to be associated with FH.
People with genetic variants causing FH are likely to have elevated LDL cholesterol levels, which is associated with an increased risk for heart disease.

The <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-offers-a-new-report-on-familial-hypercholesterolemia" target="”_blank”" rel="”noreferrer noopener">23andMe&#8217;s Familial Hypercholesterolemia Genetic Health Risk report** </a> is part of our 23andMe+ Premium™ and it looks for 24 specific variants linked to two of these genes, APOB and LDLR.
 
You can learn more about all that 23andMe+ Premium offers including our FH report <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/" target="”_blank”" rel="”noreferrer noopener">here</a>.

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Another common genetic condition that impacts heart disease is f<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-offers-a-new-report-on-familial-hypercholesterolemia">amilial hypercholesterolemia (FH)</a>. An individual with FH cannot properly recycle LDL. These individuals are, therefore, born with high LDL cholesterol levels that only get higher over their lifetime. As mentioned above, since high LDL levels increase the risk of coronary heart disease, people with FH have 20 times the risk of developing heart disease.<a id="_ftnref8" href="#_ftn8">[8]</a>



FH is critical to discuss when mentioning heart health because FH affects about 1.3 million people (adults and children) in the U.S., but only about 30% of people are aware they have it.<a id="_ftnref9" href="#_ftn9">[9]</a> There are two main types of FH: Heterozygous FH (HeFH) and Homozygous FH (HoFH). HeFH is only inherited from one parent, and if left untreated, people with HeFH may develop heart disease as early as 30 years old. HoFH is inherited from both parents and is rarer and much more severe. With HoFH, LDL cholesterol levels can reach above 400 mg/dL of blood, and people with HoFH may develop heart disease in the first 10 years of life, sometimes as soon as 2 or 3 years old, if not treated early.<a id="_ftnref10" href="#_ftn10">[10]</a>



As one in every 200 Americans may be impacted by FH, raising awareness about how to diagnose and treat it is critical. FH can be diagnosed through a physical exam, lab results, personal and family history, and genetic testing. Unlike Lp(a), lifestyle changes can help, but it cannot be treated by diet and exercise alone. Individuals with FH should speak with their healthcare provider about statins and other cholesterol-lowering medication options.



While everyone has different cholesterol levels and risks, understanding the basic concepts and how to assess personal risk is critical for people to better understand their health and start taking action toward a healthier future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fun-fact-heart-health-addition">Fun Fact &#8211; Heart Health Addition</h2>



How many times does your heart beat a day on average?*



Mikala Evans’ time with 23andMe goes back to 2015 when she worked with our Customer Care team. She returned to the company after receiving her master’s in public health from UCLA, where she trained in epidemiology and focused her studies on asthma within a community in Los Angeles exposed to natural gas pollution. After returning to 23andMe, Mikala has worked as a quality engineer focused on compliance. She has a bachelor of science in biochemistry and a minor in religious studies from Washington University in St. Louis. She loves her two nieces and exploring all the natural beauty in Northern California.&nbsp;



*Answer: 100,000 times!



**23andMe health predisposition reports include both reports that meet FDA requirements for genetic health risks and reports which are based on 23andMe research and have not been reviewed by the FDA. The test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks. It is not intended to diagnose any disease. Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. Each genetic health risk report describes if a person has variants associated with a higher risk of developing a disease, but does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing the disease. The test is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions, including whether or not you should take a medication, how much of a medication you should take, or determine any treatment. The Familial Hypercholesterolemia genetic health risk report is indicated for reporting of one variant in the APOB gene and 23 variants in the LDLR gene and describes if a person has variants associated with an increased risk of developing very high LDL cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease. The majority of the variants included in this report have been most studied in people of European and Lebanese descent, as well as in the Old Order Amish. For important information and limitations regarding each genetic health risk report, visit 23andme.com/test-info/.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-footnotes">Footnotes:</h2>



<a id="_ftn1" href="#_ftnref1">[1]</a>https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/article-abstract/2811350?guestAccessKey=cad4492b-7050-431d-9d2c-f55e0e971cc9&amp;utm_source=For_The_Media&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=ftm_links&amp;utm_content=tfl&amp;utm_term=110123



<a href="#_ftnref2" id="_ftn2">[2]</a>Cathy Lewis, “More than half of U.S. adults don’t know heart disease is leading cause of death, despite 100-year reign, AHA, published January 24, 2024, “https://newsroom.heart.org/news/more-than-half-of-u-s-adults-dont-know-heart-disease-is-leading-cause-of-death-despite-100-year-reign



<a href="#_ftnref3" id="_ftn3">[3]</a> American Heart Association, “Watch Learn and Live &#8211; Cholesterol”, https://watchlearnlive.heart.org/index.php?moduleSelect=hdlldl



<a href="#_ftnref4" id="_ftn4">[4]</a>Michael Precker, “Monitoring lesser-known numbers in a blood screening can help heart health”, American Heart Association News, AHA, published January 12, 2024,&nbsp;&nbsp; https://www.heart.org/en/news/2024/01/12/monitoring-lesser-known-numbers-in-a-blood-screening-can-help-heart-health



<a href="#_ftnref5" id="_ftn5">[5]</a> “Lipoprotein (a) Blood Test”, MedlinePlus: National Library of Medicine (NIH); last revised August 3, 2022, https://medlineplus.gov/heartattack.htmlhttps://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/lipoprotein-a-blood-test/



<a href="#_ftnref6" id="_ftn6">[6]</a> Anurag Mehta, Vardhmaan Jain, Anum Saeed, Joseph J. Saseen, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/author/8688892300/martha-gulati">Martha Gulati</a>, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/author/7101711066/christie-mitchell-ballantyne">Christie M. Ballantyne</a>, and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/author/6701757915/salim-s-virani">Salim S. Virani</a>, “Lipoprotein(a) and ethnicities”, Atherosclerosis, Volume 349, 2022, Pages 42-52, Accessed via <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2022.04.005">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2022.04.005</a>



<a href="#_ftnref7" id="_ftn7">[7]</a>“Lipoprotein (a) Blood Test”, MedlinePlus: National Library of Medicine (NIH); last revised August 3, 2022, https://medlineplus.gov/heartattack.htmlhttps://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/lipoprotein-a-blood-test/



<a href="#_ftnref8" id="_ftn8">[8]</a>American Heart Association, “Watch Learn and Live &#8211; Cholesterol”, https://watchlearnlive.heart.org/index.php?moduleSelect=hdlldl



<a href="#_ftnref9" id="_ftn9">[9]</a> Family Heart Foundation, “Familial Hypercholesterolemia”, <a href="https://familyheart.org/familial-hypercholesterolemia#:~:text=FH%20is%20found%20in%201,know%20they%20have%20it%20today">https://familyheart.org/familial-hypercholesterolemia#:~:text=FH%20is%20found%20in%201,know%20they%20have%20it%20today</a>, accessed 17 June 2024.



<a href="#_ftnref10" id="_ftn10">[10]</a>American Heart Association, “Watch Learn and Live &#8211; Cholesterol”, https://watchlearnlive.heart.org/index.php?moduleSelect=hdlldl

Mikala Evans

Mind + Body Wellness — Cholesterol

Your age is just a number. It doesn&#8217;t tell you much about how old or young you feel or the health of your body. Maybe there&#8217;s a better way, one that offers a path to better health while encouraging you to stay young at heart.



This week, 23andMe launched a new Biological Age feature as part of our advanced health membership,<a href="https://www.23andme.com/total-health/"> 23andMe+ Total Health</a>.™ The new feature uses blood-based biomarkers to calculate your biological age. The Biological Age feature offers a new perspective on your health and longevity potential. You can&#8217;t change when you were born but can change your biological age through a healthier diet, lifestyle changes, and managing key health indicators like cholesterol and blood sugar. Customers can monitor their progress with biannual blood work that is part of the 23andMe+ Total Health offering.



&#8220;Our health customers seek personalized, actionable health insights,&#8221; said Robin Smith, Director of Product Management at 23andMe. &#8220;The Biological Age feature enables them to understand and track how their lifestyle choices impact their biological age, providing a clear view of their health journey as they make positive changes.&#8221;&nbsp;



The Biological Age feature will provide members with their &#8220;biological age&#8221; — a numerical representation of biological wear and tear—and insights about which biomarkers are causing it to differ from their calendar age. 23andMe uses a statistical model based on associations between different biomarkers and lifespan. The biomarkers offer insight into the relative health or age of various functional systems in the body.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-model-calculates-biological-age">AI Model Calculates Biological Age</h2>



Our feature is powered by a machine learning/artificial intelligence (ML/AI) model, in which the model learns nontrivial associations from a very large set of data. Our Biological Age model uncovers hidden relationships between biomarkers and lifespan using outcomes of more than 200,000 people between the ages of 37 and 73 who consented to participate in research by the UK Biobank.&nbsp;



The model includes 13 biomarkers, such as total cholesterol, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and white blood cells. Taken together, these biomarkers help assess the relative health of different organs, such as the heart, liver, and metabolic system. 



Compared to calendar age, the model is a better predictor of longevity and several age-related health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and heart attack. It also performs well across different ages, sexes, and ancestries.



Typically, biomarkers outside the clinically normal range can be too high or too low, and both may signal poor health. Through careful design of our algorithm, the 23andMe model improves on other published biological age models with its unique ability to learn from biomarkers that have both high and low values associated with shorter lifespans, not just one or the other. Read our white paper to learn more about the <a href="https://permalinks.23andme.com/pdf/23_26-BBAMethodology_May2024.pdf">science behind our Biological Age model</a>.



The AI model for estimating biological age does not include genetic data, fitness levels, or underlying health conditions. However, it offers a valuable snapshot of your current health. Suppose your biological age is older than your calendar age. In that case, the feature helps you pinpoint the biomarkers contributing to those differences and provides motivation to try to lower your biological age.



You can&#8217;t change when you are born but can make healthy choices to slow biological aging.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-total-health">Total Health</h2>



The new Biological Age feature is included in 23andMe+ Total Health™, a first-of-its-kind preventive health membership.&nbsp;



The Biological Age feature in 23andMe+ Total Health is included in our most comprehensive package of highly personalized actionable reports. This package combines access to clinical care and empowers customers to take actions that may lead to prevention and early detection of serious health conditions. To be able to use the Biological Age feature, Total Health members will have to have their blood work done. Biannual blood work is part of the 23andMe+ Total Health offering.



The membership service includes everything that comes with 23andMe+ Premium along with additional genetic data drawn from exome sequencing and surfaced in personalized, consumer-friendly reports. In addition, Total Health includes bi-annual blood testing and access to clinicians trained in genetics.&nbsp;



Find out more about <a href="https://www.23andme.com/total-health/">Total Health here</a>.



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*“Total Health membership includes services initiated and performed by third-party clinicians and lab providers through the 23andMe platform. Additional terms and conditions also apply. See 23andme.com to learn more. Total Health Membership not available to residents of HI, NJ, NY, OK, RI and US territories.”

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

Introducing Biological Age Feature for 23andMe+ Total Health Members

Editor&#8217;s note: (June 4, 2024) This post has been changed since it was first published.
The Royal House of Habsburg, one of the most powerful dynasties of Medieval and Renaissance Europe, reigned over much of Europe for centuries. But genetic inheritance and the perils of inbreeding may explain their demise.
Like <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/researchers-discover-the-true-identity-of-the-royal-disease">many royal families</a>, their expansion and hold on power came about in part through inter-family marriages. But over time, generation after generation of inbreeding helped contribute to some of the physical ailments that often plagued the family and the distinctive look with their big lower lips, long noses, and the unique “Habsburg jaw.” Research published in the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03014460.2019.1687752?scroll=top&amp;needAccess=true&amp;">Annals of Human Biology</a> describes how this inbreeding likely doomed the dynasty.
(We can&#8217;t tell you if you&#8217;re a royal, but you can learn more about your ancestry and family tree with 23andMe&#8217;s DNA Ancestry service or sign up for a <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">membership</a> for advanced ancestry reports and features.)<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-27824 size-medium" title="Habsburg Inbreeding" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Habsburgs-236x300.png" alt=" Charles II of Spain, showing the Habsburg jaw, a result of inbreeding
" width="236" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Habsburgs-236x300.png 236w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Habsburgs-768x974.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Habsburgs-807x1024.png 807w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Habsburgs-694x880.png 694w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Habsburgs-930x1180.png 930w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Habsburgs.png 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 236px) 100vw, 236px" />
<h2>Understanding Consanguinity: Inbreeding&#8217;s Role in Genetic Disorders</h2>
Inbreeding is when two closely related individuals, who inherited some identical segments of DNA from the same ancestor(s), have children. The term genetic counselors typically use for inbreeding is “consanguinity,” which means “of the same blood” and is pronounced, “con-san-gwinity.”
The degree of relationship between the two individuals matters a lot. Children of parents who are brother and sister are more consanguineous (“con-sang-win-us”) than the children of two people who are first cousins. For similar reasons, consanguinity within the same family over multiple generations increases the risk for hereditary disorders in more than one isolated instance of a consanguineous union in a family tree.
Beginning in the early 12th century, they quickly expanded their realm. They did this through a series of strategically executed marriages, from the mountains of Switzerland to a territory that included swaths of Austria, Hungary, Italy, France, and Spain. The Spanish branch of the Habsburg dynasty helped create an empire that reached its apex in the 16th and 17th centuries. They controlled land from the Philippines to the Americas.
Yet the Habsburgs are known not only for controlling vast tracts of Europe but also for maintaining control by rarely marrying outside the dynasty.   
<h2>Habsburg Inbreeding</h2>
By the end of the 17th century, the results of their marital practices had become apparent. Family members had distinctive protruding lips, a high rate of infant mortality and a host of other health problems.
Could the same marital practices that helped bring the Habsburg dynasty to power also have led to its demise?
In <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0005174" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">PLoS One</a>, scientists from Spain&#8217;s University of Santiago de Compostela argue it did. They said that inbreeding so incapacitated the Habsburgs that by the death of King Charles II of Spain in 1700, they were virtually unable to reproduce.
From 1516 to 1700, it has been estimated that over 80% of marriages within the Spanish branch of the Habsburg dynasty were consanguineous. In other words, they were marriages between close blood relatives. These unions often took the form of marriages between first cousins, double-first cousins, and uncles/nieces.   Infant and child mortality rose to 50% among Spanish Habsburgs, much higher than the average for the period.
<h2>The Tragic Reign of Charles II: A Victim of Inbreeding?</h2>
However, the final Habsburg king of Spain, Charles II, was perhaps the most unfortunate result of these unions.   Also known as &#8220;El Hechizado&#8221; (&#8220;The Hexed&#8221;), Charles was severely deformed.   The so-called &#8220;Habsburg Lip&#8221;, a form of mandibular prognathism often seen among members of the Habsburg Dynasty, was so pronounced in Charles&#8217; case. So much so that it was difficult for him to speak.   An enlarged tongue, gastrointestinal problems, mental retardation, and possible growth problems meant that Charles was raised almost as an infant until the age of 10.   Even as he grew older, he was never able to govern effectively.   His rule saw the rapid decline of the Empire, only exacerbated by his death in 1700.
However, there has been little scientific research for all the speculation and anecdotal evidence of the negative impact of inbreeding on the House of Habsburg. So, there is no hard evidence of whether inbreeding actually played a role in the demise of the Hapsburg line.   The authors of this study sought to achieve this goal by examining genealogical information. To do that, they looked at family pedigrees for the eight royal families connected with the Habsburg dynasty.
<h2>Quantifying Royal Inbreeding: The Habsburg Family Tree Analysis</h2>
They analyzed the family pedigrees of over 3,000 individuals spanning 16 generations. They then used this information to calculate the inbreeding coefficient for each family member. The inbreeding coefficient is simply a measure of the chance that someone will receive identical genes from both parents.
Unsurprisingly, the authors found elevated inbreeding coefficients for many Habsburgs.   In fact, the levels increase consistently from the earliest Spanish Habsburgs. This goes from King Philip I (1478-1506) to the last Spanish Habsburg king Charles II.   Some of the Habsburgs &#8211; notably Charles II &#8211; had an inbreeding coefficient nearly twice what one would expect, given the level of relatedness between his mother and father.   In other words, although Charles&#8217; parents were related to each other as uncle and niece, his inbreeding coefficient fell at the same level as someone whose parents were brother and sister.
These unexpectedly high levels indicate consanguineous marriages, like that of Charles&#8217; parents. These unions had been happening along the Habsburg line for hundreds of years. This practice came to a head with the birth of Charles, whose inbreeding coefficient was the highest of all the Spanish Habsburgs. His physical deformities were also the most severe.
Further, the authors argue that Charles&#8217; ill health directly resulted from centuries of consanguineous unions. Expressly, they point to a growth hormone deficiency and severe renal tubular acidosis. These may have accounted for his short stature and many physical deformities and ailments.   These diseases are pretty rare in the general population. But the fact that so many of Charles&#8217; ancestors were related to each other would have increased his chances of inheriting the genes associated with them.   Whether Charles suffered from these specific diseases is still open to interpretation. However, his physical and mental difficulties prevented him from fathering any heirs to the throne.
The Habsburg dynasty in Spain ended when Charles passed away in 1700, a few days shy of his 39th birthday.
<h2>Genetics and Personalized Health in the 21st Century</h2>
The Habsburg dynasty&#8217;s story highlights genetics&#8217; profound impact on health and well-being, a reality that resonates even more strongly in the 21st century. Today, advancements in genetic research have opened up a new frontier in personalized healthcare.
Understanding one&#8217;s genetic makeup can provide insights into potential health risks, carrier status for certain conditions, and how individuals might respond to different medications. This knowledge empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their health, from lifestyle choices to proactive screenings and treatments.
23andMe, at the forefront of personal genetics, provides individuals with access to this valuable information. While rooted in the past, the Habsburg narrative serves as a compelling reminder of the power of genetics in shaping health outcomes.
Find out if your <a href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info/genetic-health/?_gl=1*1xgbpjj*_ga*MTczMTM3NTg5LjE3MTY0MjQ4MzE.*_ga_G330GF3ZFF*MTcxNjQ0OTk1Ny40LjEuMTcxNjQ1MDA2MC4wLjAuMA..">genetics</a> might Increase your risk for any health conditions with 23andMe.

The Habsburg Jaw: How Inbreeding Ended a Dynasty

In the largest study of its kind, an international team of researchers led by researchers at the Technical University of Munich and scientists at <a href="https://www.helmholtz-munich.de/en/newsroom/news-all/artikel/restless-legs-syndrome-genetic-discoveries-advance-treatment-and-risk-prediction" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Helmholtz Munich</a>, a health research center in Germany, identified new genetic variants associated with restless legs syndrome.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harnessing-the-power-of-genetics">Harnessing the Power of Genetics</h2>



Published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-024-01763-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Genetics</a>, the study identified more than 160 genetic associations for the condition, giving researchers a better understanding of the biological pathways for restless leg syndrome. The genetic findings also point researchers to possible drug targets for treating restless leg syndrome.



While not the first genetic study into the condition by this group of researchers, it is by far the largest, and the size of the highlights sex differences revealed ten times more genetic variants associated with the condition. The researchers achieved this by using data from more than 1.5 million people. More than 90 percent of the 23andMe customers consented to participate in the research. However, the study also included data from about 25,000 people who are part of the INTERVAL Study and another 25,000 or so from the International EU_RLS-Gene consortium.



“For the first time, we achieved the ability to sufficiently assess the risk for restless leg syndrome,” said Juliane Winkelmann, Head of the Institute of Human Genetics at the Technical University of Munich, as well as the Institute of Neurogenomics at Helmholtz Munich.



Dr. Winkelmann has researched restless leg syndrome for more than 25 years. She helped lead an international team of researchers that included other scientists at Helmholz Munich, the Technical University of Munich, and the University of Cambridge.



“It’s been a long journey, but now we are empowered not only to treat but to learn how to prevent this condition,” Dr. Winkelmann said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-restless-leg-syndrome">What Is Restless Leg Syndrome?</h2>



Restless leg syndrome is surprisingly common, and estimates show it affects up to 10 percent of older adults. According to researchers, it also affects people of European ancestry at higher rates than other ethnicities.



As the name implies, restless leg syndrome causes uncomfortable sensations and an urge to move one’s legs. It often occurs at night and can lead to sleep disruption. Along with the discomfort and urge to move, up to 80 percent of those with restless leg syndrome also experience uncontrolled leg movement during sleep, according to <a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/restless-legs-syndrome" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the National Institutes of Health</a>.



Considered a neurological condition, restless leg syndrome, also known as Willis-Ekborn disease, is caused by many different factors, including genetics and environmental factors. Women are slightly more likely to experience it than men. It sometimes appears during pregnancy but goes away after delivery.



Some research suggests that low iron levels in certain brain parts may be a factor, while other research points to dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain that helps control body movement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-restless-leg-syndrome-genetic">Is Restless Leg Syndrome Genetic?</h2>



Studies of families and twins have shown a strong genetic component to the disorder, which led to the discovery of six genetic variants that increased the risk of developing the condition.



<div style="float: right; text-align: justified; width: 300px; background-color: #eee; padding: 15px; margin-left: 10px;"><h2>Learn More</h2>
 

 
Along with contributing to this research and a previous study of restless leg syndrome, 23andMe+ Premium includes a Restless Leg Syndrome report, Powered by 23andMe Research. The report uses a statistical model based on many genetic variants to estimate a person’s likelihood of developing restless leg syndrome. The report is part of a group of reports that focus on sleep quality, including reports on insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, sleep movement, deep sleep and wake time. 

 Find out more about all that 23andMe offers <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">here</a>. 
</div>



The cause of restless leg syndrome involves a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. However, for years, understanding the underlying biology remained largely elusive, hindering the development of effective treatment and prevention strategies.



The new research published earlier this month expands on the known genetic variants associated with restless leg syndrome, revealing more details about the genes involved, which will help those looking for more effective treatments. Some associations are on or near genes involved in changes in the formation of neuronal circuits as well as the growth and development of nerve cells, a process known as neurogenesis. Among the associations identified, the researchers also identified 13 genes associated with restless leg syndrome currently targeted by approved drugs but not for restless leg syndrome. That could offer promising avenues for repurposing medications for restless leg syndrome treatment.



In addition, the researchers used the accumulation of associated genetic variants and non-genetic factors to create a risk prediction model that performed well in estimating the likelihood of developing restless leg syndrome.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-restless-legs-syndrome-impact-your-health">Can restless legs syndrome impact your health?</h2>



Symptoms from restless leg syndrome range from simply uncomfortable to truly painful, and that can vary from day to day.



The implications from the range of symptoms extend beyond how they might make one feel and can also impact one’s overall health. That’s because restless leg syndrome disrupts a person’s ability to fall and stay asleep.



Over time, this can take its toll with changes in mood, exhaustion, and difficulty concentrating. In addition, restless leg syndrome is also associated with other conditions, such as anxiety and depression. The condition is also associated with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Because many of those with restless leg syndrome don’t realize they have it, they may try to self-medicate with alcohol or over-the-counter sleep aids, which in turn can make the condition worse.



However, some treatments and lifestyle changes could help ease those symptoms. For example, ensuring that you are getting enough iron, limiting alcohol and caffeine, and avoiding smoking can help alleviate symptoms. In addition, regular exercise, massage, and warm baths can help.

The Genetics of Restless Leg Syndrome

Last week, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07509-7">a new ancient DNA study</a> led by researchers at the Max Planck Institute in Germany and the Escuela Nacional de Antropología e Historia in Mexico revealed that contrary to some early theories about ritual sacrifice practices in the ancient Maya civilization, not all sacrifice victims were young women.&nbsp;



In the study, the authors analyzed DNA from the remains of 64 sacrifice victims found nearly 60 years ago in an underground cistern in Chichén Itzá, an ancient Maya city in what is now Yucatán, Mexico. Buried between 500 – 900 CE (a time when Chichén Itzá was the most powerful city in the northern Maya region), the victims were children at the time of their death. To the researchers’ astonishment, every single one of the children had a Y chromosome, meaning that they were all genetically male. Not only that, many were siblings or cousins, and there were even two pairs of identical twin boys. &nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="507" height="338" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/gettyimages-481272289-170667a.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-33086" style="width:647px;height:auto" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/gettyimages-481272289-170667a.jpg 507w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/gettyimages-481272289-170667a-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 507px) 100vw, 507px" /></figure>



The El Castillo step-pyramid at Chichén Itzá.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-twins">Why twins?</h2>



In Maya mythology, twin boys figure prominently. The story of Hero Twins Hunahpu and Xbalanque is chronicled in the Popol Vuh (or Popol Wuj), the Maya story of creation. In this epic, the twins are challenged to a series of tests by the Death Lords of the Underworld, Xibalba. Eventually, the twins outwit the crafty Death Lords and ascend to the sky to become the sun and moon. Researchers speculate that the story of the Hero Twins may have inspired the ritual sacrifice of the boys at Chichén Itzá.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1710" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/iiif-service_rbc_rbc0001_2008_2008kislak00220_001-full-pct_50-0-default-scaled.jpg" alt="A painting of the mythical Maya hero twins by the painter Diego Rivera." class="wp-image-33087" style="width:766px;height:auto" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/iiif-service_rbc_rbc0001_2008_2008kislak00220_001-full-pct_50-0-default-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/iiif-service_rbc_rbc0001_2008_2008kislak00220_001-full-pct_50-0-default-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/iiif-service_rbc_rbc0001_2008_2008kislak00220_001-full-pct_50-0-default-768x513.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/iiif-service_rbc_rbc0001_2008_2008kislak00220_001-full-pct_50-0-default-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/iiif-service_rbc_rbc0001_2008_2008kislak00220_001-full-pct_50-0-default-880x588.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/iiif-service_rbc_rbc0001_2008_2008kislak00220_001-full-pct_50-0-default-1180x788.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



“Trials of the hero-twins,” painted by Diego Rivera in 1931



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovery-of-the-mass-grave">Discovery of the mass grave</h2>



In 1967, workers who were building an airport runway near Chichén Itzá discovered the remains of over 100 children near Chichén Itzá’s Sacred Cenote (sinkhole) in a type of underground cistern called a chultún, which may have represented an entrance to the underworld.



Despite the site’s clear historical significance, archaeologists were granted only two months to excavate the site and exhume the bones so that they could be preserved and studied. Now, over 50 years later, ancient DNA technology has made it possible to learn more about the identities of the buried children.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1920" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Sacred_Cenote_Chichen_Itza_02-scaled.jpeg" alt="A photo of the sinkhole Sacred Cenote near the Chichen ruins." class="wp-image-33085" style="width:617px;height:auto" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Sacred_Cenote_Chichen_Itza_02-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Sacred_Cenote_Chichen_Itza_02-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Sacred_Cenote_Chichen_Itza_02-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Sacred_Cenote_Chichen_Itza_02-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Sacred_Cenote_Chichen_Itza_02-880x660.jpeg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Sacred_Cenote_Chichen_Itza_02-1180x885.jpeg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



The Sacred Cenote (sinkhole) which is located in the ceremonial center of Chichén



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-find-out-if-you-are-genetically-connected">Find out if you are genetically connected</h2>



And the discoveries don’t stop there. Thanks to Historical Matches, SM our new 23andMe+® Premium membership feature, you can find out if you share a genetic connection with 24 of the sacrifice victims whose DNA was sequenced as part of this study (40 of the 64 genomes analyzed in the study did not meet 23andMe’s quality standards for inclusion in the feature).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seven-new-indigenous-american-genetic-groups-added-in-mexico"> Seven new Indigenous American Genetic Groups added in Mexico</h2>



In addition to adding the ancient Maya individuals from Chichén Itzá to the Historical Matches feature, we are also adding seven new Genetic Groups in what is now Mexico and parts of northern Central America, as well as a group in the Mariana Islands with Indigenous American ancestry introduced centuries ago as a result of Spanish colonialism. This update adds finer detail for customers with roots in these regions.&nbsp;



The update will be available for customers on the <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/218392668-Upgrading-to-23andMe-s-Newest-Chip-Version">latest genotyping chip</a>, V5.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-indigenous-american-genetic-groups-in-mexico-central-america-and-the-western-pacific">Indigenous American Genetic Groups in Mexico, Central America, and the western Pacific</h2>



Below are the seven Genetic Groups we&#8217;ve added in the latest update.



Maya &#8211; Shared Indigenous American ancestors with people who identify as Maya in southern Mexico, Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, and western Honduras.&nbsp;



Mexican diasporic ancestry in the Marianas &#8211; Shared ancestors with people in the western Pacific who have Indigenous American ancestry that was introduced centuries ago due to Spanish colonialism. Most people in this Genetic Group identify as Chamorro—the Indigenous people of the Mariana Islands—and all carry a small amount of Indigenous American genetic ancestry, which was likely introduced to the Mariana Islands around the time of the Spanish–Chamorro Wars. The Indigenous American DNA in this Genetic Group is most similar to the DNA of people who identify as Otomí, who have historically resided in central Mexico, particularly around what is now Mexico City.



Purépecha &#8211; Shared Indigenous American ancestors with people identifying as Purépecha, primarily in Michoacán, Mexico. Today, the Purépecha mainly inhabit western Mexico, a community in Nicaragua that is believed to have descended from Purépecha migrants who settled in the region centuries ago.



Zapotec &#8211; Shared Indigenous American ancestors with people identifying as Zapotec, primarily in Oaxaca, Mexico.&nbsp;



Nahua &#8211; Shared Indigenous American ancestors with people identifying as Nahua in central Mexico.&nbsp;



Mixtec &#8211; Shared Indigenous American ancestors with people identifying as Mixtec (Mixteco), primarily in Puebla and La Mixteca—a cultural region in western Oaxaca, Mexico.&nbsp;



Otomí &#8211; Shared Indigenous American ancestors with people identifying as Otomí, primarily in Querétaro, Guanajuato, and the State of Mexico.

An image of the Maya pyramid El Castillo at Chichén Itzá.

New Historical Matches and Genetic Groups could connect you to the ancient Maya Civilization

Editor&#8217;s note: For Juneteenth we&#8217;re republishing a post from earlier this year about connecting a woman and her family to the remains of a little girl buried among those of other enslaved African Americans near a historic iron furnace in Maryland. 



Agnes Jackson lives in Hagerstown, Maryland, near her four daughters and about 20 miles from the Catoctin Furnace, a historic site.&nbsp;



This long-ago shuttered iron smelter is one of the earliest industrial sites in the United States. The old iron furnace is on the edge of the Catoctin Mountain National Park, a verdant open space blanketed in forest and lined with hiking trails along the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-iron-furnace">An Iron Furnace</h2>



The beauty of the place belies the brutal conditions that once made up the day-to-day lives of the free and enslaved African Americans who lived and worked there.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Photo-of-Agnes-1024x576.jpg" alt="A photo of Agnes Jackson." class="wp-image-32672" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Photo-of-Agnes-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Photo-of-Agnes-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Photo-of-Agnes-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Photo-of-Agnes-880x495.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Photo-of-Agnes-1180x663.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Agnes Jackson, as researchers explain her genetic connection to a girl buried at the historic Catoctin Furnace.</figcaption></figure>



Until recently, Agnes, who is 86, knew little of that history or her deep connection to those who lived and worked there.



Despite living so close, Agnes and her daughters visited Catoctin for the first time only about a year ago, soon after she learned about her family&#8217;s link to the site.&nbsp;



&#8220;We never knew,&#8221; Agnes said during a visit to the site last year.



With the help of the local archaeologist and president of the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Elizabeth Comer, and <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ade4995?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D36970045036454591841970885085615049025%7CMCORGID%3D242B6472541199F70A4C98A6%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1708709301">groundbreaking research</a> from scientists at Harvard, the Smithsonian, and 23andMe, Agnes and her family are seeing for the first time all the threads that connect them to this place and the people who toiled here.



Elizabeth, who perhaps has spent more time than anyone trying to document the legacy of the people who worked at the furnace, said adding the DNA component to this research connects this early American history to the living.



&#8220;What DNA does for the first time is connect a living, 21st-century family not just to Catoctin but to the cemetery,&#8221; she recently told Science magazine.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Photo-of-Elizabeth-Eadaoin-talking-to-Agnes-and-her-daughters-1024x576.jpg" alt="Photo of Agnes and her daughters talking to Éadaoin Harney, and Elizabeth Comer." class="wp-image-32671" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Photo-of-Elizabeth-Eadaoin-talking-to-Agnes-and-her-daughters-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Photo-of-Elizabeth-Eadaoin-talking-to-Agnes-and-her-daughters-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Photo-of-Elizabeth-Eadaoin-talking-to-Agnes-and-her-daughters-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Photo-of-Elizabeth-Eadaoin-talking-to-Agnes-and-her-daughters-880x495.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Photo-of-Elizabeth-Eadaoin-talking-to-Agnes-and-her-daughters-1180x664.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">From left Éadaoin Harney, Elizabeth Comer, Agnes Green, her daughters Vicki Winston, Sharon Green, and Barbara Hart. </figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-groundbreaking-genetic-study">Groundbreaking Genetic Study</h2>



Earlier this month, Elizabeth and 23andMe scientist Éadaoin Harney visited with Agnes and three of her daughters, Sharon Green, Vicki Winston, and Barbara Hart, at a museum commemorating the Catoctin Furnace and the enslaved and free people who worked there.



Éadaoin was the lead author of a study published in the journal Science last year. The other researchers in the study included senior authors David Reich at Harvard and Doug Owsley at the Smithsonian. The researchers sequenced and studied genetic data from the remains of 27 anonymous enslaved and freed African Americans buried at the site. 



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Catoctin + 23andMe" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FJ-wWvZVK94?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



The remains were uncovered decades ago during a highway construction project and buried in an unmarked burial ground. Researchers noted that the genetically related individuals were clustered into five family groups: mothers, children, and siblings.



The study leveraged 23andMe&#8217;s extensive research database to find genetic connections between those anonymous individuals and more than 41,000 relatives, although most of whom are very distantly related. The paper broke new ground by providing a technical and <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/ethics-and-the-study-of-historic-dna-catoctin-furnace">ethical benchmark for future studies</a> of similar, largely forgotten burial sites. Agnes and her family were the first of the living close relatives to be informed that they share a previously unknown genetic connection to a historical individual using the first-of-its-kind approach developed by 23andMe researchers for this study.



When the paper was published in August 2023, Carter Clinton, an African American geneticist at North Carolina State University, said the research was &#8220;significant for every African American in the country.&#8221;&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-Catoctin-Furnace-1024x576.jpg" alt="A photo of the Catoctin Furnace" class="wp-image-32668" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-Catoctin-Furnace-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-Catoctin-Furnace-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-Catoctin-Furnace-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-Catoctin-Furnace-880x495.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-Catoctin-Furnace-1180x664.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-human-connection">The Human Connection</h2>



For Agnes, it was also personal. One of those family groups that the study identified at the Catoctin site included the remains of a young girl between the ages of two and three years old. There were few artifacts with the body, just some pins, nails, and screws found with her remains. The nails and screws were likely the only surviving remnants of the coffin she was buried in, and one of the pins was perhaps used to hold back the little girl&#8217;s hair, some of the researchers suspect. The other pins were likely used to fasten a burial shroud.&nbsp;



Comparing the genetic sequence of this little girl with Agnes, Éadaoin and the team of scientists saw a large amount of shared DNA, indicating they were relatively closely related. The most likely connection is with Agnes&#8217;s great-great-grandfather, Hanson Summers. It’s possible that Hanson and the girl were half-siblings or cousins.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="577" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Agnes-and-three-of-her-daughters-1024x577.jpg" alt="A photo of Agnes, left, with her daughters, Vicki Winston, Sharon Green, and Barbara Hart." class="wp-image-32665" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Agnes-and-three-of-her-daughters-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Agnes-and-three-of-her-daughters-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Agnes-and-three-of-her-daughters-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Agnes-and-three-of-her-daughters-880x495.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Agnes-and-three-of-her-daughters-1180x664.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Agnes, left, with her daughters, Vicki Winston, Sharon Green, and Barbara Hart.</figcaption></figure>



Often, there is family lore, stories passed down from generation to generation, but it is rare for African Americans to trace back their family history, often hitting the brick wall of slavery. Often, historical records for those enslaved ancestors are spotty. Names may never have been recorded or are only partially recorded.&nbsp;



For Agnes&#8217;s family, it was no different. She knew nothing of her family&#8217;s connection to the iron furnace. That changed a few years ago during this study when researchers from the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, who had been attempting for years to find living descendants, had their first success. Elizabeth helped connect Agnes&#8217;s family to the furnace using paper records and historical sleuthing. The connection was through her great-great-grandfather, Hanson &#8220;Henson&#8221; Summers, who&#8217;d been enslaved at the iron furnace site in the early 19th century.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-family-s-history-and-american-history">A Family&#8217;s History and American History</h2>



The family, of course, knew that their ancestors had been enslaved. They knew he’d worked at the Antietam Furnace that operated in Hagerstown, but they didn&#8217;t know they were linked to the Catoctin Furnace until Elizabeth connected them. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="577" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Canon-balls-manufactured-at-the-furnace-1024x577.jpg" alt="Photo of cannon balls produced at the Catoctin Furnace." class="wp-image-32670" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Canon-balls-manufactured-at-the-furnace-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Canon-balls-manufactured-at-the-furnace-1180x665.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Canon-balls-manufactured-at-the-furnace-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Canon-balls-manufactured-at-the-furnace-768x433.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Canon-balls-manufactured-at-the-furnace-880x496.jpg 880w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Among the many items produced at the Catoctin Furnace were cannonballs used by the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.</figcaption></figure>



Hanson had been enslaved at Catoctin until he was in his 30s, at which point he and other members of his family were sold to the operators of the Antietam Furnace, according to the records. 



After the end of slavery, Hanson worked at an iron forge. Known for his strength and skill, he died in Hagerstown at 82 in 1899. Elizabeth&#8217;s work first found mention of Hanson in Maryland archives from 1834. His name was included on an inventory from Catoctin Furnace that included the names of enslaved African Americans. On it was a 17-year-old boy named &#8220;Henson.&#8221;&nbsp;



The Catoctin Furnace has a significant place in American history. 



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="168" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Historic-Marker-for-the-Furnace-300x168.jpg" alt="A historic marker of the Catoctin Furnace" class="wp-image-32667" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Historic-Marker-for-the-Furnace-300x168.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Historic-Marker-for-the-Furnace-768x431.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Historic-Marker-for-the-Furnace-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Historic-Marker-for-the-Furnace-880x494.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Historic-Marker-for-the-Furnace-1180x662.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></figure>



The first owner of the furnace was Thomas Johnson Jr. — a wealthy enslaver, the first non-colonial governor of Maryland, and a signer of the <a href="https://www.ushistory.org/declaration/related/assoc74.html">Articles of Association</a>, a precursor document to the Declaration of Independence. Iron production began in earnest in 1776. It contributed to the arming of the fledgling Continental Army — supplying 100 tons of shells for the Siege of Yorktown. While historians documented the industrial significance of the site, the history of enslaved workers there was not.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-built-this">We Built This</h2>



Agnes and her family didn&#8217;t know their family’s contribution to that history. Agnes said that learning about her ancestors&#8217; contributions was important.



“Just to know that we actually were in history and that we made a difference,” she said. “We built this place.”&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Touching-the-burial-ground-1024x576.jpg" alt="A photo of one of Agnes's daughters's hands touching the burial ground at Catoctin Furnace." class="wp-image-32669" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Touching-the-burial-ground-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Touching-the-burial-ground-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Touching-the-burial-ground-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Touching-the-burial-ground-880x495.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Touching-the-burial-ground-1180x664.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Touching the burial ground.</figcaption></figure>



That history might have remained lost had it not been a forgotten burial ground, which had been unearthed in the 1970s during a freeway construction project. Archaeologists found the remains of more than 30 individuals buried there. No records existed of who those individuals were. Over the years, the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society has worked to preserve the history of the site and the people who worked there. Only with the advent of ancient DNA technology did an effort to learn more about the DNA of individuals begin.&nbsp;



This study offered the <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/historical-dna-connection-to-early-enslaved-and-free-african-americans">first genetic link</a> between enslaved or freed African Americans working at the furnace and their living relatives, including Agnes.



&#8220;It&#8217;s so exciting to see my tree… to learn more about our ancestors,&#8221; Agnes said. It&#8217;s always good to know where we came from.&#8221;

A photo of one of Agnes's daughters's hands touching the burial ground at Catoctin Furnace.

23andMe Connects Living Family to Enslaved African American from Historic Site

There’s a day for almost everything, so, of course, there’s an international <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article-8038499/People-celebrating-International-Hate-Coriander-day.html">“I Hate Coriander Day.”</a>



Coriander, also known as cilantro, is one of the most commonly used herbs in the world, but people&#8217;s preferences for this little leafy green are one more thing that divides them.



For some, it is baffling why anyone would feel passionate loathing for an ingredient that brings a distinctive tang to their guacamole. Meanwhile, others cringe in disgust at tasting anything with what they think of as a <a href="https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/devil%27s_herb">“devil herb.”</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="257" height="192" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cilantro-Aversion.jpg" alt="An image of a cilantro leaf and the chemical compound." class="wp-image-26278"/></figure>



(23andMe customers can learn about the genetics of their <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/trait.cilantro_taste/">Cilantro taste preference in their trait report</a>. If you&#8217;re curious about this or other reports but not a customer, check out our <a class="waffle-rich-text-link" href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">DNA Tests</a> to get a customized genetic traits report.)



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cilantro-tastes-like-soap-it-could-be-your-genetics">Cilantro Tastes Like Soap? It Could Be Your Genetics.</h2>



As one former 23andMe blogger said in an old ode to cilantro hatred:



“For years, I believed that every Mexican restaurant my family took me to had some kind of problem with their dishwashing machine. Why else would the food always taste like soap?”



Many people have no idea that this leafy green herb can cause such repulsion, much to the chagrin of those who find it foul. For some, cilantro tastes like soap. To others, it can taste like stink bugs, dirt, or — if they’re really dramatic – anarchy, pure evil, or the plague.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cilantro-taste-aversion">Cilantro Taste Aversion</h2>



Like with anything that divides people, it’s helpful to understand where the other side is coming from. We at 23andMe are here to help with some science.



Several years back, 23andMe scientists<a href="https://flavourjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2044-7248-1-22" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a><a href="https://flavourjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2044-7248-1-22">found a &#8220;genetic component to cilantro taste perception.”</a> The findings suggested that genetic variants in the olfactory receptors may contribute to some people’s distaste for cilantro.



23andMe also offers customers a Cilantro Taste Aversion Trait Report that looks at two genetic variants associated with a dislike for cilantro and can tell you if you have slightly higher or lower odds of disliking the herb.



While genetics plays a role, culture and environment do, too. Some of that may explain the differences between people of different ancestries. In the 23andMe study, 14-21 percent of people of East Asian, African, and Caucasian ancestry disliked cilantro. In contrast, only 3-to-7 percent of those who identified as South Asian, Hispanic, or Middle Eastern disliked it.



But clearly, your environment or your cultural cuisine isn’t everything. Genetics also plays a role in this love-hate relationship.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cilantro-amp-genetics">Cilantro &amp; Genetics</h2>



<div style="float: right; text-align: justified; width: 300px; background-color: #eee; padding: 15px; margin-left: 10px;">
Cilantro taste in 23andMe customers Cilantro soapy-taste by ancestry
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Ashkenazi Jewish</td>
<td>14.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Southern European</td>
<td>13.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Northern European</td>
<td>12.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>African-American</td>
<td>9.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Latino</td>
<td>8.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>East Asian</td>
<td>8.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>South Asian</td>
<td>3.9%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Sex differences in cilantro taste perception
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Female vs. Male</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tastes soapy</td>
<td align="right">57% vs. 43%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Doesn&#8217;t taste soapy</td>
<td align="right">49% vs. 51%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>



Humans have hundreds of receptors that send signals to our brains to produce what we recognize as aromas and flavors.



However, this is complex and differs from person to person. For example, the same chemical can be found in appealing and unappealing places — cheese and body odor. Conversely, the same ingredient — such as cilantro — can contain both pleasant and unpleasant chemicals. Whether stinky cheese and cilantro are delicious or disgusting depends on your perception of many different substances.



The two genetic variants used in 23andMe’s Cilantro Taste Aversion trait report are in a cluster of olfactory receptor genes. These are biological sensors that detect chemicals in the air and in food. These receptor genes are also linked to the ability to detect aldehydes, chemical compounds found in soap, which are thought to be a significant component of cilantro aroma.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supertasters">Supertasters</h2>



One type of aldehyde has been described as “fruity” and “green,” and another as “soapy” and “pungent.”



One of the eight genes near the variants 23andMe uses in its report codes for a receptor called OR6A2, known to detect aldehydes such as those found in cilantro. Although this finding proves that genetic variation in olfactory receptors is involved in cilantro taste perception, common genetic variants explain only a tiny part of the difference — a half percent — between 23andMe customers for this trait.



This doesn’t mean genetics can’t play a significant role in a person. Indeed, some people are <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/tasty-genetics"> &#8220;supertasters&#8221;</a> or may have specific genetic variations that cause them to detect or not detect certain smells and flavors. One thing’s for sure—if you hate cilantro, you really hate cilantro!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn More</h2>



If you aren&#8217;t already a 23andMe customer, check out your <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/trait.cilantro_taste/">Cilantro Taste Aversion trait report here.</a> Not yet a customer? Find out <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/?sub=ver2&amp;cabt=nao">all that 23andMe offers here</a>.

Cilantro Taste Gene – Everything You Should Know

June is Caribbean American Heritage Month. In celebration, 23andMe is adding 20 new historical individuals from the ancient Caribbean to Historical Matches,SM our new 23andMe+ Premium membership feature that may genetically connect you to one or more of hundreds of historical people across the globe.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="512" height="354" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Caribbean-Map.png" alt="Map of the Caribbean from Wikimedia Commons" class="wp-image-33036" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Caribbean-Map.png 512w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Caribbean-Map-300x207.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></figure>



 The first evidence of human occupation of the Caribbean dates to approximately 6,000 years ago, when stone-tool-using hunter-gatherers migrated into the region. 



Around 3,500 years later, a second wave of migration into the region of people who practiced intensive agriculture and predominantly used ceramics began. 



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="341" height="512" data-id="33035" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Tiano-Sculture.png" alt="A Taíno Figure Pendant from the Dominican Republic that dates to the 13th-15th century." class="wp-image-33035" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Tiano-Sculture.png 341w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Tiano-Sculture-200x300.png 200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 341px) 100vw, 341px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A Taíno Figure Pendant from the Dominican Republic that dates to the 13th-15th century. </figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="512" height="427" data-id="33034" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/taino-bowl.png" alt="A Taíno bowl from the Dominican Republic that dates to the 13th-15th century." class="wp-image-33034" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/taino-bowl.png 512w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/taino-bowl-300x250.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A Taíno bowl from the Dominican Republic that dates to the 13th-15th century. </figcaption></figure>
</figure>



 In 2020, an international team of researchers analyzed the genomes of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7864882/">174 ancient individuals from the Caribbean </a>who lived between 3,100 and 400 years ago, spanning both hunter-gatherer and agricultural eras. They found that the first inhabitants of the Caribbean were most closely related to populations who lived in Central and northern South America at that time, suggesting that the first wave of migration into the Caribbean may have come from these regions. 



However, the later ceramic-using peoples had ancestry that was more similar to present-day people who live near the mouth of the Orinoco River in Venezuela and speak Arawak languages. 



Although the arrival of people of European and African ancestry during and after the 15th century almost wiped out <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andme-adds-more-detail-for-indigenous-caribbean-ancestry">many indigenous people</a>, many present-day Caribbean people can trace some of their genetic ancestry to those early Indigenous inhabitants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more-about-historical-matches">Learn More about Historical Matches</h2>



You can find out if you share a genetic connection to any of the dozens of individuals who were included in this study and learn more about the first peoples of the Caribbean through 23andMe’s <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/articles/23andmes-historic-matches">Historical Matches feature</a>, which is available to all <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">23andMe+ Premium members</a>.&nbsp;

Do You Know about the Earliest Inhabitants of the Caribbean?

Maybe it&#8217;s genetics, maybe not, but Hannah and her dad, Oscar, both share interests in science and athletics.



Hannah is an avid runner. Her dad has always been active, whether it&#8217;s playing soccer or distance cycling. A patent lawyer by profession, Oscar is also captivated by science and holds a master&#8217;s degree in applied molecular biology. 



For her part, Hannah, a genetic counselor at Lemonaid Health, Inc., part of the 23andMe family, can&#8217;t remember a time when she wasn&#8217;t interested in genetic science. It happened early after her identical twin younger brothers were born. 



&#8220;I actually used 23andMe back in 2015,&#8221; Hannah said. &#8220;But I&#8217;ve been interested in genetics my whole life. I&#8217;m captivated by the intersection of genetics and health.&#8221;



That sort of sums up her dad&#8217;s outlook, too. Along with their shared interest, Hannah and her dad learned from using 23andMe that they shared something else: an increased genetic likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-like-father-like-daughter">Like Father, Like Daughter</h2>



We wanted to share Hannah and Oscar&#8217;s story for Father&#8217;s Day this year. Hannah gifted her dad a 23andMe kit that revealed health insights that benefited both of them.



&#8220;You have these two generations of individuals,&#8221; Hannah said. &#8220;Myself, and my father, and we all have this in common. Knowing that helps to highlight how important it is for us to each have a healthy lifestyle and remain active.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unexpected-risk-addressed">An Unexpected Risk Addressed</h2>



Hannah and her dad are fit, lean, healthy, and active. You might not expect that they had this predisposition toward type 2 diabetes. But like most health conditions, type 2 diabetes is influenced by several factors, including genetics, diet, activity levels, and whether one can maintain a healthy weight. 



Sometimes, a person&#8217;s ancestry and family history is also essential in understanding a predisposition for certain conditions. Rates of type 2 diabetes are higher among people with African, Indigenous American, Asian, Latino, and Pacific Islander ancestry. Oscar is Filipino. 



One key indicator for those at risk for type 2 diabetes is a blood test called hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C). It measures a person’s average blood sugar (glucose) level.



&#8220;I make sure that every year I get a blood test, and one of the first things I do is check my A1C number because it is high,&#8221; Oscar said. &#8220;It&#8217;s something I watch along with my diet.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-prevention">The Power of Prevention</h2>



Because Hannah&#8217;s A1C numbers have been up and down, her doctor has recommended getting tests every six months. 



This has been important for her health. However, Hannah also said it perfectly illustrates what she does almost every day as a genetic counselor—reminding people that their health is influenced by the interplay of their genetics, lifestyle, and environment. Understanding that and your family health history can go a long way to understanding what you should be aware of and actions you could take toward prevention. 



Like her dad, it motivates her to make healthier choices and avoid processed foods and too much sugar. Seeing that she has a genetic predisposition is also motivating.



&#8220;I feel like that&#8217;s the real power of these results in a preventative sense,&#8221; she said. &#8220;The genetic result gives clarity, puts it front and center, and motivates me. It&#8217;s very powerful.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more">Learn More</h2>



Explore how genetics impacts your health and the traits you share with your family. Find out <a href="https://www.23andme.com/compare-dna-tests/">all that 23andMe has to offer here</a>.

Latest Posts — Page 16