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A word about methylation


Methylation Defects are tied to Many Conditions

  1. Insomnia

  2. Autism

  3. Frequent miscarriages

  4. Bipolar or manic depression

  5. Allergies or Multiple Chemical Sensitivities

  6. Atherosclerosis

  7. Autoimmune Disorders

  8. Hashimoto’s or Hypothyroidism

  9. ADD or ADHD

  10. Lyme Disease (tick borne illness compounded by MTHFR)

  11. Chronic Viral Infections

  12. To name a few..

Your ability to methylate helps you process toxins and hormones. For example, estrogen… you make it in your body, and you also get it from chemicals in your environment and food etc…if you can’t break down estrogen and get it OUT of your body, you could develop all sorts of disorders.

Methylation also plays a role in making and breaking down various neurotransmitters, epinephrine and melatonin.  If there’s a problem breaking neurotransmitters down, the excess may cause insomnia, panic attacks, and anger.

Such as sufferers of Mold/ Pollen/ Hay Fever, Digestive problems, brain fog, cardiac disease, Children with autism, anyone with a seizure disorder, neurological condition, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, severe Lyme disease, chronic infections, immune deficiencies, diabetes, food allergies, fertility issues, miscarriages, chronic fatigue, anxiety or any psychiatric illness. Or if you are extremely sensitive to medication, you may have a methylation problem, too.

Problems in the methylation pathway are not always genetic traits.  In any case, it may cause a deficiency of methyl-folate leading to a deficiency of glutathione. Glutathione is known as the ‘master antioxidant’ of the body. Low levels of glutathione can look like chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia, autoimmune disease states, multiple chemical sensitivities, and progressive diseases like ALS, MS, Parkinson’s, etc.

About 50 % of the US population has a MTHFR defect.

MTHFR MUTATIONS

MTHFR are C677T and A1298C. You may have any combination of these mutations depending on the genetic makeup of your biological parents. Or you do not have the defect at all.  You can do a simple lab test to determine MTHFR snps, or more comprehensive genetic testing helps you find other areas of concern.

Because people with a methylation difficulty have trouble eliminating poisons, these build up in the body and contribute to many health concerns. If a body can’t methylate properly, you cannot use and absorb vital nutrients needed to keep cells healthy and protected.

Things that Interfere with Your Methylation Pathway include

  1. Poor diet, poor probiotic status, digestive issues, medications, medical conditions such as autoimmune diseases, and other things that may cause nutrient deficiencies.

  2. Xenobiotics

  3. Taking medications that deplete vital nutrients. (like metformin, antacids, PPIs, steroids, estrogen-containing drugs and NO)

  4. Drinking alcohol stops methylation and depletes glutathione

  5. Stimulants like coffee and metabolism boosters use up your methylation pathway nutrients too quickly

  6. Lyme disease, and the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria feeds on magnesium and uses the magnesium to make biofilms and hide. Low Mg reduces your ability to methylate.

  7. Taking poor quality nutrients that deplete methyl groups

  8. Heavy metals like mercury, lead, cadmium, copper, or arsenic, etc.