| The 2 pathways for methylation & how to support them…. |
| Healthy methylation is considered by many to be at the absolute core of how health is expressed. Considering it protects you down to preserving your genetic code and the function of your neurons, it’s clearly key that it goes well. Methylation is the addition of a “Methyl group” to a compound in the body. This transfer of methyl groups is vital for phase II liver detoxification, protein methylation in gene expression; turning genes on or off, homocysteine metabolism, managing inflammation – increasing the methyl groups decreases inflammation, neurotransmitter synthesis, and nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) synthesis. When methylation is going strong: 1. You have enough methyl groups from methionine foods and folate. 2. There are the necessary nutrients (folate, B12, B6, zinc, and magnesium) for methylation to occur. 3. Homocysteine is low 4. Homocysteine is safely inside the cells where it is effectively used and recycled. 5. There is no excess homocysteine spilling over into the bloodstream causing damage to the blood vessels. 6. DNA is being optimally produced, replicated, and expressed 7. There is a high degree of cardio-protection The two pathways for methylation With proper methylation, homocysteine is converted back (re-methylated) to methionine or metabolized to cysteine. Both ways require vitamins, which are essential substances that are generally not made in the body—we need to get them from food or supplements. 1. One pathway requires vitamins folate and B12. This pathway is also called the re-methylation pathway. 2. The other pathway is through betaine. Betaine is a methyl donor found in foods such as spinach, quinoa, brown rice, shrimp, and sweet potato. Through methylation, homocysteine is typically converted into methionine, or cysteine, both of which are less harmful when found in excess, and are necessary for a variety of important cellular processes. TESTING FOR METHYLATION: THE DNA TEST The enzyme methionine synthase (MS) uses folate as a methyl donor to drive methylation. People with reduced MTHFR function, who have an MTHFR gene variant, stall methylation and allow homocysteine to accumulate. Other gene variants exist such as CBS, COMT, MTR, and MTRR that can also disrupt the conversion of homocysteine into methionine or cysteine and lead to serious health complications. The good news is that the solutions are fairly simple once any problems are discovered. The important part is that everyone takes a DNA test to determine if Methylation is a vital area to focus on regarding their health and everyone takes their B-vitamins. Thanks for being the world’s #1 wellness leader Dr. Ben |