The Sunshine Sharing Hour

Transcription

1 How Well Do You Methylate? The Sunshine Sharing Hour With Steven Horne, RH(AHG) Tuesday, July 31, 2018 What is Methylation? Methylation is the process of transferring a methyl group from one molecule to another A methyl group (CH3) is a carbon atom (C) with three hydrogen molecules (H) attached to it Methylation, Mind and Mood Methylation is important in regulating brain function Folate, also known as folic acid or vitamin B9, is required for the synthesis of serotonin, melatonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine It must be methylated to create methylfolate in order to work If methylation is deficient, it can result in mood disorders like depression and insomnia Neurotransmitter Breakdown Methylation is a major pathway in cellular and liver detoxification This pathway is used to eliminate excess neurotransmitters: Epinephrine Norepinephrine Dopamine Histamine Higher levels these catecholamines are associated with anxiety, aggression and insomnia Methylation and Mental Illness Disturbed methylation may be involved in Schizophrenia Bipolar disorder Depression Anxiety Behavior disorders Over or under methylation may be involved in more than half of all mental health issues 1

2 Methylation and Estrogen Methylation breaks down both estrogens and xenoestrogens High levels of estrogens are associated with PMS Type A, which is characterized by irritability and anxiety prior to the period Excess estrogen stimulates the development of uterine fibroids and is a critical risk factor in developing estrogen-dependent cancers such as breast, prostate and uterine cancer Xenoestrogens also cause prostate enlargement (BPH) in men Homocysteine and Heart Disease An important role of methylation is the elimination of homocysteine This proinflammatory chemical is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease and increased general inflammation This makes high levels of homocysteine an important indicator for poor methylation A variety of other chemicals (amines, phenols, etc.) are also eliminated through methylation Plus, undermethylation also interferes with another detoxification pathyway glutathione conjugation Glutathione is the primary antioxidant inside the cells and is essential for the elimination of heavy metals and histamine Methylation and Detoxification Methylation and Histamine Histamine is also proinflammatory and increases one s sensitivity to allergens People with allergies may be problems with methylation Plus, levels of histamine are also a way to evaluate a person s methylation status Methylation, Anemia and Energy Both folate and B12 are essential for red blood cell production, but must be methylated to work Methylation is needed for the synthesis of carnitine and CoQ10, which are needed for energy production in the mitochondria So, poor methylation can contribute to anemia and fatigue Methylation and Epigenetics Methylation helps to keep DNA repaired It is also involved in epigenetics, which regulates which genes get expressed and which genes get suppressed It s well documented that supplementation with folic acid (or better yet, methylfolate) during pregnancy helps prevent birth defects 2

3 Methylation and Cancer There are a number of genes that are normally switched off by the epigenome, which must be switched on in order for a cell to become cancerous Undermethylation may play a role in allowing cells to become cancerous Also, cells have a kill switch, which the immune system uses to convince defective cells to die, a process called apoptosis Poor methylation can lead to high levels of homocysteine, which can raise levels of S- adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) inside the cell SAH deactivates the kill switch The Methylation Cycle Methionine is converted into SAM-e (Sadenosylmethionine) by the addition of ATP SAM-e turns unmethylated molecules into methylated molecules SAM-e becomes SAH (Sadenosylhomocysteine) SAH is then converted into homocysteine (HYC) HYC can then be converted into the amino acid cysteine with the help of vitamin B6 and zinc HYC can also be converted back to methionine with a methyl group from methylfolate or choline Vitamin B12, zinc and betaine facilitate remethylating HYC Folate can be methylated back into methylfolate Physical Indications of Methylation Status Under-methylators High levels of homocysteine and histamine Greater tendency to inflammatory diseases and heart disease Greater tendency to seasonal allergies, but not food allergies Respond well to antihistamines Sparse body hair High fluid production (saliva, tears) Higher libido Tendency to frequent headaches Over-methylators Lower levels of homocysteine and histamine Food and chemical sensitivities Don t respond well to antihistamines Hairy body (hirsutism) Dry eyes and mouth Lower libido Tendency to sleep disorders and restless legs Mental and Emotional Indications of Methylation Status Under-methylators Obsessive-compulsive with ritualistic behaviors Tendency to phobias and addiction Competitive in games and sports Strong willed, perfectionistic Tendency to rumination about the past Depression that responds positively to SSRIs Over-methylators Obsessive thoughts without compulsive actions High anxiety Non-competitive, low motivation in school Tendency to ADHD, hyperactivity Talkative; high artistic ability Depression that gets worse with SSRIs S-adenosylmethionine was discovered in the early 1950s It is synthesized from methionine and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) Most of it is created and used in the liver Available in Europe by prescription since 1975 Has a number of potential therapeutic benefits when used as a supplement. Supplements to Balance Methylation SAM-e or SAMe 3

4 SAM-e and Depression Studies have suggested SAM-e can be effective for mild to moderate depression It helps the body produce more moodenhancing neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin It is a natural reuptake inhibitor for these neurotransmitters European studies typically use 800 to 1600 mg. (4-8 tablets) daily, but some people get benefits from taking less SAM-e can move a person from depression to mania and is therefore contraindicated with bipolar disorder Depression Safety and Efficacy Dr. Bressa, in a meta analysis of SAM-e studies concluded, "The efficacy of SAM-e in treating depressive syndromes and disorders is superior to that of placebo and comparable to that of standard tricyclic antidepressants. Since it is a naturally occurring compound with relatively few side-effects, it is a potentially important treatment for depression. It acts on mood rapidly, most often within a few days. SAMe has no withdrawal reaction, commonly found with antidepressants. Liver Detoxification SAM-e helps increase methylation in the liver and other cells of the body Methylation breaks down excess estrogen, histamine and stress hormones and helps eliminate homocysteine It also helps with glutathione conjugation This makes SAM-e potentially helpful in viral hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and jaundice related to pregnancy SAM-e and Arthritis SAM-e may help arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis It has been shown to be as effective as nonsteroidal antiinflammatories in relieving pain without the side effects It may also prevent damage to cartilage and may even help rebuild cartilage when taken for long periods of time (more than 3 months) SAM-e and Fibromylagia Several studies have been conducted using SAM-e with fibromyalgia The results are promising, but not conclusive at this point Patients taking SAM-e reported improvements in pain, fatigue, morning stiffness and mood SAM-e and the Brain Studies suggest that people with Parkinson s disease have low levels of SAM-e SAM-e can slow the progression of Parkinson s disease in some cases It can also reduce some symptoms of Alzheimer s More research is needed 4

5 SAM-e Dosages For arthritis, liver detoxification and other related uses take one tablet (200 mg.) of SAM-e with breakfast and another with lunch A third may be added at dinner, but taking SAM-e at night can cause restlessness Larger doses are needed for depression, try 2 tablets (400 mg.) twice daily Don t use if you have symptoms ofovermethylation Choline The amino acid choline contains three methyl groups It is used in methylation and in the production of the neurotransmitter responsible for memory, acetylcholine Organ meats, like liver are rich in choline, which is also found in butter, eggs, peanut butter, potatoes and whole wheat bread One of its forms, phosphatidylcholine helps transport fats and cholesterol, as well as serve as a precursor for the production of acetylcholine Betaine Betaine is a methylated version of the amino acid glycine It is part of betaine hydrochloric acid Well-grown beets and spinach contain large amounts of betaine, which is also found in seafood An essential amino acid that carries a methyl group and is part of the methylation cycle It s plentiful in the diets of people who eat animal protein, but is also found in peanuts, soybeans and other legumes Supplementation is typically not necessary Methionine Folic Acid or Folate Is used by enzymes that manufacture methyl groups A common vitamin deficiency When taken in the form of methylfolate, it acts as a methyl donor Folates are better supplements than straight folic acid and green Leafy vegetables are a great source of folates Taken by itself, folate is a good supplement for overmethylators Vitamin B6 helps convert HYC to cysteine, thus lowering homocysteine B6 deficiencies can also cause dermatitis, seizures, inflammation of the tongue, cracked lips, carpal tunnel syndrome and anemia It s best to take B6 as part of a B-complex Vitamin supplement however, and not as a single vitamin Too much will decrease methylation by converting HYC into cysteine rather than methionine As a single supplement, it is helpful for over-methylators Vitamin B6 5

6 Vitamin B12 With the help of methylfolate, Vitamin B12 helps to convert HYC back into methionine B12 is a common vitamin deficiency Methylated B12 can help with energy, red blood cell formation and methylation in general Zinc Involved in the proteins that turn genes on and off A cofactor for a critical enzyme in DNA regulation known as DNA methyltransferase Along with vitamin B6, zinc also helps lower homocysteine by converting it to cysteine It also aids in the process of methylating homocysteine back into methionine with the aid of betaine It can be helpful for overmethylators as well as undermethylators Balancing Methylation Determine if you are under- or overmethylating Under-methylators can use methyl donors like Sam-e Methlyated B12 and folate Betaine Choline Over-methylators should consider Folic Acid or Folate Vitamin B6 Zinc Start cautiously and if results are favorable you can increase the dose Upcoming Education Upcoming Member Webinars The Holistic Perspective (Tuesday, August 7) Mind Over Matter: Exploring the Universe of Vibrations Sunshine Sharing Hour (Tue, August 28) Lobelia: The Intelligent Herb: How Lobelia (and Other Antispasmodics) Can Help You Win the Battle Against Pain, Stress and Chronic Disease Current Classes Balancing the Nervous System August 1 st 5:30 PM Moutain Time Call or go to treelite.com to register Nature s Institute: Pre-Convention Class September 13 Register through Nature s Institute: Comments, Questions and Answers Type your questions about tonight s topic into the chat box Product presentation to follow this Q&A 6