Why is Methylation important?
In prior emails, I talked about building your health foundation. This is important for resolving health issues and maintaining good health. Two of the key nutrient components are Methyl B12 and Methyl Folate(Not Folic acid).
Methylation can affect many areas. Four important areas are:
1: Energy- A proper functioning methylation cycle is vital to making ATP, which is the main molecule used for energy in all cells.
2: Neurotransmitters- Methylation is needed to make neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine. It is also needed to break down dopamine.
3: Detox- Glutathione is a critical molecule in detoxification. Proper supply of methylation products is needed to create the glutathione.
4: Hormones- Methylation is needed to break down estrogen hormones.
How does methylation become deficient?
First, methylation deficiency can occur when a person doesn't consume enough methylated food. To maintain good levels of methylated products, a person can eat foods rich in them. These foods are dark leafy greens for folates and meats and fish and fowl for methyl B12. The other option is to take a supplement containing Methylated B12 and Folate(but not folic acid, which can block some reactions). I have found that the best approach is to eat well and take a good supplement.
Second, some people have genetic mutations that don't allow them to process methylation well. This was popularized around 2007 by Dr. Ben Lynch. It turns out that certain mutations, such as MTHFR mutations cause a slowing of the biochemical reactions involved with methylation.
A good analogy for deficient methylation is a freeway 4 lanes wide and 4 lanes of traffic on it. In a deficiency state, maybe only 2 lanes are open but 4 lanes of traffic volume are trying to get through. When this happens, a backup occurs. The freeway is the enzyme processing the methylation reaction and the traffic is the molecules trying to get through the enzyme.
How do deficiencies affect the body?
1: Low energy- The cells are not able to make enough ATP
2: Neurotransmitters- One specific way methylation is critical to neurotransmitter metabolism is in the breakdown of dopamine by the COMT enzyme. Insufficient methylation means dopamine can't be disposed of so easily and tends to hang around. Dopamine is the fight of flight neurotransmitter, in appropriate levels. But if not broken down, it becomes overwhelming and people become agitated or anxious.
3: Detoxification- Without good methylation, glutathione levels can go down. Glutathione is needed for detox from chemicals and chemical reactions in the body, such as oxidation.
4: Hormone processing- Specifically, methylation is critical in the removal of estrogen through the COMT enzyme. If it is insufficient, then the COMT enzyme will run slowly which causes estrogen to build up. This can cause symptoms of PMS(high estrogen), such as breast tenderness, insomnia, and irritability. The COMT enzyme also breaks down dopamine. But the catch is estrogen is a very large molecule and clogs the COMT enzyme which slows the processing of dopamine. Dopamine then builds up causing more irritability, In the freeway analogy, it is like putting a truck on the freeway going real slow and backing traffic up even more.
How resolve methylation issues?
As described above, eating dark leafy greens and meats, fowl, and fish will supply methyl B12 and Folates. You can also supplement with a Methylated B12 and Methyl Folate product.
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