• ArbitraryValue@sh.itjust.works
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      2 months ago

      I’m not aware of any negative ramifications, but the naming is not a matter of ramifications. This isn’t just an abstract change from more body odor to less body odor. Proteins are machines, there’s a particular protein machine for moving certain molecules out of cells and into sweat, and in people with this mutation that machine doesn’t work. Consider an analogy to a light switch. It’s not a toggle between “emit brightness” and “emit darkness”. There’s a machine on the ceiling for converting electrical energy into light. When the switch is in one position that machine is functioning, and when the switch is in the other position the machine is not functioning. In other words, darkness isn’t an alternate way for the machine to function, but rather the consequence of the machine not functioning.

      The lightbulb analogy isn’t perfect because you could say that the switch and lightbulb together are the machine, and that the function of this machine includes the capability to switch on and off in response to a signal. There are many proteins that can also be switched on or off and they’re not “nonfunctional” even when they’re “not functioning”. However, this mutation doesn’t create a protein that can be switched on and off, so I suppose you can think of it like smashing a light which you can’t control with a switch. Maybe the light was annoying and you’re happier without it, but you still broke it.

    • Eiri@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      For a few months, while I was taking Accutane, my earwax turned dry and flaky. It was awesome. It would come out much more easily, it wouldn’t accumulate, and for once my ears stopped producing so much liquid. But I imagine depending on your unique body, it could make things quite a bit worse if you manage to get an earwax blockage.

      Disclaimer: do not take Accutane for more than a few months, unless your doctor really knows what they’re doing. Apparently there are significant risks associated with long-term usage.

      And pure speculation, but I imagine if you’re not excreting that fat, you might lose a tiny bit less weight when exercising?

      • I'm back on my BS 🤪
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        2 months ago

        Interesting, but how is that relevant to the question:

        But are there negative ramifications of this mutation?

        • Eiri@lemmy.world
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          2 months ago

          It’s speculation, but from my experience with Accutane I can infer the following possibility:

          • an earwax blockage could get worse because of dry earwax depending on the particular ear

          Also speculation:

          • if there’s fewer lipids in sweat, you keep those fats, and potentially you lose less weight.
          • angrystego@lemmy.world
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            2 months ago

            At the same time, east asian people are not known for having more trouble with being overweight. But that’s probably much more complicated.