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?

  1. Methylation occurs when the body takes one substance and converts it into another, so it can be detoxed and easily excreted from the body.
  2. 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.
  3. Methylation is involved in:
    • Regulating cellular energy
    • Immune function
    • Cardiovascular function
    • Weight control
    • Sleep cycles
    • Autoimmune conditions
    • Mental disorders
    • Inflammation
    • DNA expression
  4. The methylation cycle can be impaired by:
    • STRESS
    • Environmental factors
    • Nutritional deficiencies

NEXT STEPS:

  1.  Homocysteine level is easily monitored via blood levels, as are Vitamins B6, B12, and folate
  2. Nutrition:
    • Food sources of folate include:  asparagus and broccoli, leafy green vegetables (spinach and kale), citrus fruits, legumes
    • Food sources of Vitamin B6 include:  Beef, chicken, salmon, spinach, turkey, sweet potato
    • Food sources of Vitamin B12 include:  Beef, chicken, crab, eggs, salmon, scallops, shrimp, turkey

 

References:  Physica Medica: BioEnergetic Practitioner Repertory, IFM