What Does Methylation Do in the Human Body?

Methyl donors, such as folate, vitamin B12, methionine, betaine or trimethylglycine, and choline, are fundamental for a variety of biochemical pathways which occur within a cell. Understanding how the human body utilizes methyl donors as well as what does methylation do in the human body can help people achieve overall health and wellness. Dr. Alex Jimenez, chiropractor, explains the essential functions of methylation on the cardiovascular, neurological, reproductive, and detoxification systems, among others.

How the Human Body Utilizes Methyl Donors

Cell division, DNA and RNA synthesis. The metabolism of folate is essential for both DNA and RNA synthesis because it is also frequently associated with the biosynthesis of purine nucleotides and thymidylate. Methyl donor deficiency can increase the risk for cytosine deamination into uracil which can elevate DNA strand breaks, fragmentation, apoptosis, and carcinogenesis.

Early CNS development. Folate deficiencies associated with genetic and environmental factors can increase the risk of neural tube defects. According to research studies, however, methylation can help improve early CNS development. National folic acid food fortification programs have been demonstrated to be successful at decreasing the risk of this condition in newborns.

Gene expression. DNA methylation is a fundamental epigenetic process which regulates gene expression. DNA methyltransferase, or DNMT, enzymes are in charge of attaching a methyl group to cytosine bases in CpG dinucleotides. Mammals introduce approximately 80 percent of CpG dinucleotides for gene expression. Elevated levels of methylation in gene promoter regions can generally cause repression. Methylation can either promote or repress expression. Research studies suggest that hypermethylation, or the increase in the methylation of cytosine and adenosine residues in DNA, is associated with the increased risk of cancer and other health issues.

Post-transcription modification. Methylation of post-transcription RNA and microRNA can help regulate microRNA translation and protein synthesis. Abnormal RNA methylation activity has been associated with a wide variety of health issues.

Immune cell differentiation. Methylation regulates the development of immune cells, including T cells and Th2 cytokine regulation.

Neurotransmitter biosynthesis and metabolism. Methylation through SAMe is an essential process in the metabolism and synthesis of biogenic amine neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and serotonin. Additionally, methylation is necessary for acetylcholine biosynthesis. Methylation can also regenerate tetrahydrobiopterin, a co-factor in biosynthetic pathways.

Histamine clearance. One biosynthetic pathway for histamine metabolism occurs through histamine N- methyltransferase, which needs the methyl donor SAMe. Low SAMe or altered enzyme activity can lead to an increase in histamine and clinical symptoms.

Detoxification. Together with glucuronidation, sulfuration, and acetylation, methylation is an essential pathway for the biotransformation of xenobiotics within phase II detoxification. Poor methylation activity can reduce the human body’s ability to detoxify, which can lead to toxicity-related health issues. DNA methylation also regulates Nrf2 signaling, known as the "master regulator of antioxidant defense”, a fundamental mechanism that regulates numerous phase II detoxification enzymes.

Hormone biotransformation. Methylation can help clear as well as regulate estrogens through COMT. If this process is interrupted, estrogen metabolites can increase the risk of oxidative DNA damage. Methylation is important because it can help support safe estrogen clearance, regulation, and even detoxification in patients with estrogen dominance or estrogen-receptor positive cancers.

Cellular energy metabolism. Methylation plays a fundamental role in mitochondrial or cellular energy metabolism through the biosynthesis of CoQ10, carnitine, and ATP. Cellular or mitochondrial energy metabolism can promote overall health and wellness.

Phospholipid synthesis. Methylation also plays an essential role in phospholipid synthesis. SAMe is required for the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine, a primary component in the cellular membrane as well as a precursor for acetylcholine, among others.

Myelination of peripheral nerves. Concentrations of SAMe deficiencies in the cerebrospinal fluids have been demonstrated to cause demyelination. DNA methylation can ultimately help improve and maintain the myelination of the peripheral nerves.

Methylation is one of the most fundamental metabolic functions of the human body and it ultimately depends on the correct function of a variety of proteins and enzymes. Methylation is the transfer of a methyl group into proteins, amino acids, enzymes, and DNA to regulate cell energy, genetic expression, and detoxification, among other essential processes. Poor methylation activity can cause a variety of health issues, including chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, among other health issues. Understanding what does methylation do in the human body can help significantly 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, there are several alternative treatment options you can try for yourself at home. As described above, however, supplementation for methylation support should be correctly 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 in a single serving. 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 may recommend higher doses of methyl donors in several patients, however, further research studies are needed to determine the proper amount of methylation supplementation. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal and nervous health issues as well as functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez