Methylation Cycle
(BBB)
Basic Biochemistry of Body
from my doc, Dr.. Nancy Foster, PhD, APRN, Therapeutic Lifestyle Center of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah...
The Methylation cycle is a process in which a single molecule (the methyl donor) transfers a methyl group, consisting of 3 hydrogen atoms and 1 carbon atom (CH3) to another molecule. This second molecule becomes methylated, this is an essential process that is responsible for our body's Glutathione production and a myriad of other effects.
The methyl group is responsible for repairing the damaged cell. When our cells are damaged due to free radical damage or toxins, this methylation cycle inserts the new methyl group into the protein cell.
The transfer of information from one generation of DNA cell to the next is heavy influenced by the methylation cycle. An optimal mthylation cycle ensures protein cells and DNA cells remain healthy and function properly.
This very same repair process detoxifies our body by neutralizing harmful homocysteine amino acids and turning them into methionine. The level of homocysteine in our body is a direct indicator of how old we are biologically speaking. Increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol, dementia, liver disease, birth defects and depression.
The Methylation Cyle's Effects
- Vital for the production of Coenzyme Q10, Energy, Creatine, Melatonin, Phosphatidylcholine and Carnitine.
- Responsible for the synthesization of proteins that make homones, neurotransmitters and numerous immune components.
- Preventing gene overexpression. (Cancers/Tumors)
- Regulating sulfur metabolism which is required to detoxify our body and cells.
- Involved in the fabrication fo phospholipids and myelin in the brain and our nervous system.
- Required for our cellular mediated immune function such as T-Cells.
- A necessary piece of the metabolism of Folic Acid. (Folate) into L-Methlfolate
- Needed to convert hazardous homocysteine into mood elevating methionine.
