If your methylation cycle doesn’t work, the immune system malfunctions, the detoxification system malfunctions, your ability to heal and repair is reduced and the anti-oxidant system malfunctions.
Methylation is part of our body’s detoxification process, a vital process that takes place in every cell and in the vital organs of your body.
What exactly is Methylation?
- Methylation occurs when the body takes one substance and converts it into another, so it can be detoxed and easily excreted from the body.
- Methylation takes place in the liver, during phase two detoxification, and there are several vitamins/cofactors needed in order for the conversion of substances to occur. In the picture (right), SAM-e (S-adenosine methionine) donates a methyl group (-CH3) to the substance being detoxified. SAM-e then becomes homocysteine. Vitamins B6, B12 and 5-MTHF are needed to convert homocysteine back to methionine, to keep the cycle (methylation) going.
- Methylation is involved in:
- Regulating cellular energy
- Immune function
- Cardiovascular function
- Weight control
- Sleep cycles
- Autoimmune conditions
- Mental disorders
- Inflammation
- DNA expression
- The methylation cycle can be impaired by:
- STRESS
- Environmental factors
- Nutritional deficiencies
NEXT STEPS:
- Â Homocysteine level is easily monitored via blood levels, as are Vitamins B6, B12, and folate
- Nutrition:
- Food sources of folate include:Â asparagus and broccoli, leafy green vegetables (spinach and kale), citrus fruits, legumes
- Food sources of Vitamin B6 include:Â Beef, chicken, salmon, spinach, turkey, sweet potato
- Food sources of Vitamin B12 include:Â Beef, chicken, crab, eggs, salmon, scallops, shrimp, turkey
References:Â Physica Medica: BioEnergetic Practitioner Repertory, IFM