Dr. Alex Jimenez Discusses the Basics of Methylation Status and Activity

Methylation is the process of producing and/or developing a “one-carbon metabolism” from methyl, or CH3, groups. The main methyl donor group utilized for DNA methylation activity is known as s-adenosyl-L-methionine, or SAMe. Other methylation donors, such as MTHFR, COMT, and DNMT, will also use SAMe as their co-factor when regulating DNA methylation status.

According to healthcare professionals, DNA methylation occurs numerous times per second and it is in charge of a variety of bodily functions. Because methylation happens continuously throughout the human body, our overall health and wellness can determine whether we will be involved in healthy methylation activity or some sort of compromised methylation status.

DNA Methylation in the Human Body

DNA methylation is involved in a variety of fundamental processes throughout the body, such as cell division or DNA and RNA synthesis, early CNS development to address neural tube defects, epigenetic regulation of gene expression, immune cell differentiation, neurotransmitter biosynthesis and metabolism, such as that of dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and acetylcholine, histamine clearance, detoxification and hormone biotransformation, cellular energy metabolism, phospholipid synthesis, and myelination of peripheral nerves, among other processes.

The biochemical pathway chart above demonstrates the metabolism of methylation donors as well as their basic function, including that of MTHFR. Several methyl donors are also demonstrated to interchange reversibly while several methyl donors are only demonstrated to transfer into one-way pathways. Insufficient co-factors or vitamins and minerals associated with these can cause imbalances and deficiencies when regulating DNA methylation status. The methylation cycle works together methylation donors to recycle homocysteine into the by-product of that process. The compounds, such as the nutrients, minerals, and enzymes involved in this reaction also shown in the biochemical pathway above.

Basics of Methylation Status & Activity

Methylation can be affected by genetic as well as external and environmental factors. Our extended exposure to these otherwise harmful factors can even alter an individual’s epigenome. DNA methylation occurs at CpG regions through the utilization of DNMT enzymes associated with gene repression to become five different methylation groups.

A variety of DNMT’s are in charge of maintaining and regulating DNA methylation status and activity. DNMT1 is in change of controlling DNA methylation patterns. DNMT3A and DNMT3B are in charge of producing new methylation triggers and they’re also involved in genomic imprinting during embryonic development. Methylation begins to occur during the early perinatal period, where we inherit our parent’s methylation marks.

Understanding how DNA methylation status is influenced by our health and wellness is fundamental to promote methylation support. The utilization of supplements and/or medicine can help improve DNA methylation, however, there may be a risk of side-effects. Nutrition and lifestyle modifications are safe and effective options to help improve overall DNA methylation.

Promoting methylation support is an essential process towards maintaining overall health and wellness. DNA methylation is involved in a variety of bodily functions. Maintaining and regulating healthy methylation can help prevent a variety of health issues, as we will discuss in the next series of articles. The purpose of the following article is to introduce the basics of DNA methylation. It’s fundamental to understand how nutrition, lifestyle habits, supplements and even medicines, can improve DNA methylation as well as to promote 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 doctors and functional medicine practitioners can recommend nutritional advice and/or guidelines to help improve DNA methylation. Proper nutrition and lifestyle habits can ultimately help improve DNA 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

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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.

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Formulas for Methylation Support

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