Are Your Genes Turned On? Methylating?
Methylation is a chemical reaction that occurs in every tissue and cell in our body. The chemical structure made up of one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms is known as a methyl group. When methyl groups are added to a molecule, a process called methylation occurs.
Methylation plays a few important roles in the human body. The process can help the body detoxify properly by turning a toxic amino acid into a beneficial amino acid. If the body does not undergo the methylation process, toxins may build up and lead to disease. An example is the methylation of Homocysteine, a toxic amino acid, that converts to methionine (a beneficial amino acid.
Methylation also helps our bodies work efficiently because of enzymes, which start important processes in the cells and tissues of the human body. They act like switches to initiate chemical reactions. Genes, also made of proteins, are also affected and this may lead to good or bad results depending on what type of gene it is.
What is MTHFR?
An enzyme known as MTHFR converts folic acid into a form the human body can use. As a very important enzyme, it plays a vital role in detoxification, particularly from toxic to benign. If the enzymes don’t function properly, this can lead to high levels of toxicity in the blood, including homocysteine, and may damage the blood vessels, scratching them, and causing health problems such as stroke, dementia and heart attacks.
Other methylation reactions are compromised when the MTHFR enzyme doesn’t function properly, which may affect neurotransmitters leading to depression. This lack of efficiency in this enzyme may also cause problems with birth defects, fertility issues, cancer, migraines and autism.
How do you know if you have an inefficient MTHFR enzyme?
Performing a simple blood test will give you the answer. Approximately 60% of the general population has some type of MTHFR gene variant.
Who specifically should be tested?
If you have a high homocysteine level, a family history of cardiovascular disease, stroke or thrombosis or a candidate for long-term methotrexate therapy.
What can be done to help?
B vitamins may be necessary if you have an inefficient MTHFR gene. Vitamins like B6, B12, folate and others like SAMe and trimethylglycine may be beneficial, but you should first identify your enzyme toxicity level. It is also important to monitor your homocysteine level.
How well your body can “methylate” is vital to your overall health and well-being. Genetic testing as described above empowers you to take control of launching forward into a new age of specific individualized health care.
Iris Rosenfeld, DC
25255 Cabot Rd Ste 110
Laguna Hills, Ca 92653
Driris@driris.com
www.driris.com
