Detoxification for Methylation Support

Dr. Alex Jimenez Discusses How Detox Helps Methylation

Reducing our exposure to environmental toxins and promoting biotransformation and elimination are several guidelines recommended by healthcare professionals to improve the human body’s detoxification process. However, proper nutrition and lifestyle habits can also help improve detoxification. In addition, improving methylation can help improve the detoxification process.

Methylation is an essential detoxification pathway. Our increased exposure to environmental toxins, such as heavy metals and chemicals, can ultimately affect DNA methylation and prevent their safe and effective use. Environmental toxins may also affect DNA methylation through other structures and functions, including endocrine disruption, inflammation, and oxidative stress, among others.

According to research studies, the list of environmental toxins below has been demonstrated to affect DNA methylation, including:

• Pesticides
• Fertilizer
• Automobile fumes
• Bisphenol A
• Phthalates
• Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
• Jet fuel
• Benzene
• Mold toxins (aflatoxin, fumonisin)
• Arsenic
• Mercury
• Lead
• Cadmium
• Nickel

Increased exposure to heavy metals can cause a variety of health issues. Specific DNMT restriction and decreased DNMT gene expression have also been demonstrated to occur with increased lead exposure. Cadmium also seems to cause DNA hypomethylation through DNMT restriction, however, it may actually have the opposite effect of hypermethylation with increased exposure.

How Detoxification Can Help Improve DNA Methylation

In vitro research studies suggests that one process involved in abnormal DNA hypermethylation occurs through the induction of toxin or inflammation-mediated methyl radicals from oxidized methionine which trigger the development of DNA hypermethylation tumor-suppressing genes that promote gene silencing and oncogenesis. The development of oxidized methionine occurs in smokers, often due to inflammation and aging. Furthermore, inorganic arsenic is detoxified in the human body through methylation, which ultimately leads researchers to believe that increased exposure to arsenic may drain the endogenous pool of methylation donors available.

Total exposure to toxins, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals, may also have cumulative and long-lasting effects, according to research studies. Manikkam et al. (2012), evaluated the effects of bisphenol A, phthalates, digoxin and jet fuel (as listed above) on DNA methylation. It was also demonstrated that the epigenetic changes continued throughout multiple generations while it appeared to cause early onset puberty four generations later in rodents. Further research studies are being conducted.

Exposure to environmental toxins may also restrict healthy methylation by affecting other folate processes. Fumonisins, a type of mold toxin, by way of instance, has been demonstrated to restrict the proper function of folate binding proteins, such as human folate receptor alpha. By understanding how toxin exposure affects methylation, reducing these where possible is extremely important.

This may include the evaluation and treatment of exposures to mold, lead, and mercury amalgams, by way of instance, decreasing the utilization of plastic food containers, avoiding high-mercury fish, and switching to non-toxic household and personal care products. The Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) provides an excellent resource to further understand sources of toxin exposure.

Supporting endogenous biotransformation through Phase I and Phase II detoxification pathways and well-functioning elimination is also essential to improve DNA methylation through detoxification. Short term use of supplement protocols for detoxification is generally utilized in functional medicine, where an excessive toxic burden has been found. Nutrition and lifestyle habits can also help promote detoxification for methylation support. The list below are basic principles to follow for everyday detoxification support:

• Proper hydration
• Adequate fiber sources
• Low-toxin foods including organic, and antibiotic and hormone-free High intake of colorful plant foods, especially deep greens and berries Regular intake of cruciferous vegetables
• Adequate protein intake
• Maintain micronutrient intake

Detoxification, or “detox”, refers to the removal of toxins from the human body. Many doctors and functional medicine practitioners utilize a series of alternative treatment methods to help people detox from harmful toxic substance exposure. According to research studies, increased exposure to toxins can also affect DNA methylation. Moreover, healthy methylation is fundamental to help promote the human body’s natural detoxification process. Proper nutrition and lifestyle habits which can help improve DNA methylation can ultimately help promote detoxification and improve overall health and wellness.

Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight

Smoothies and Juices for Methylation Support

While many healthcare professionals can recommend nutritional guidelines and lifestyle modifications to improve methylation support, there are several options you can try yourself at home. As described above, methylation support supplementation should be determined by a healthcare professional. Smoothies and juices are a fast and easy way to include all the necessary nutrients you need for methylation support without any side-effects. The smoothies and juices below are part of the Methylation Diet Food Plan.

Sea Green Smoothie
Servings: 1
Cook time: 5-10 minutes
• 1/2 cup cantaloupe, cubed
• 1/2 banana
• 1 handful of kale or spinach
• 1 handful of Swiss chard
• 1/4 avocado
• 2 teaspoons spirulina powder
• 1 cup water
• 3 or more ice cubes
Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until completely smooth and enjoy!

Berry Bliss Smoothie
Servings: 1
Cook time: 5-10 minutes
• 1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen, preferably wild)
• 1 medium carrot, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia seed
• 1 tablespoons almonds
• Water (to desired consistency)
• Ice cubes (optional, may omit if using frozen blueberries)
Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy. Best served immediately!

Sweet and Spicy Juice
Servings: 1
Cook time: 5-10 minutes
• 1 cup honeydew melons
• 3 cups spinach, rinsed
• 3 cups Swiss chard, rinsed
• 1 bunch cilantro (leaves and stems), rinsed
• 1-inch knob of ginger, rinsed, peeled and chopped
• 2-3 knobs whole turmeric root (optional), rinsed, peeled and chopped
Juice all ingredients in a high-quality juicer. Best served immediately!

Ginger Greens Juice
Servings: 1
Cook time: 5-10 minutes
• 1 cup pineapple cubes
• 1 apple, sliced
• 1-inch knob of ginger, rinsed, peeled and chopped
• 3 cups kale, rinsed and roughly chopped or ripped
• 5 cups Swiss chard, rinsed and roughly chopped or ripped
Juice all ingredients in a high-quality juicer. Best served immediately!

Zesty Beet Juice
Servings: 1
Cook time: 5-10 minutes
• 1 grapefruit, peeled and sliced
• 1 apple, washed and sliced
• 1 whole beet, and leaves if you have them, washed and sliced
• 1-inch knob of ginger, rinsed, peeled and chopped
Juice all ingredients in a high-quality juicer. Best served immediately!

Protein Power Smoothie
Serving: 1
Cook time: 5 minutes
• 1 scoop protein powder
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
• 1/2 banana
• 1 kiwi, peeled
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of cardamom
• Non-dairy milk or water, enough to achieve desired consistency
Blend all ingredients in a high-powered blender until completely smooth. Best served immediately!

ProLon® Fasting Mimicking Diet

Balanced methylation support can be achieved through proper nutrition. The ProLon® fasting mimicking diet offers a 5-day meal program which has been individually packed and labeled to serve the foods you need for the FMD in precise quantities and combinations. The meal program is made up of ready-to-eat or easy-to-prepare, plant-based foods, including bars, soups, snacks, supplements, a drink concentrate, and teas. The products are scientifically formulated and great tasting. Before starting the ProLon® fasting mimicking diet, 5-day meal program, please make sure to talk to a healthcare professional to find out if the FMD is right for you. The ProLon® fasting mimicking diet can help promote methylation support, among a variety of other healthy benefits.

Many healthcare professionals recommend a variety of treatment options to help improve detoxification and help prevent health issues associated with DNA methylation. Proper nutrition and lifestyle habits, can improve methylation. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal and nervous health issues as well as functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .

Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez

Additional Topic Discussion: Acute Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes of disability and missed days at work worldwide. Back pain attributes to the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at least once throughout their life. Your spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, among other soft tissues. Injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.

Formulas for Methylation Support

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