THE HOLY GRAIL OF AGING
METHYLATION may be holy grail of aging.
Okay so what is methylation? A major pathway for what is called phase 2 detoxification.
Without this type of detoxification you would have a build up of dangerous heavy metals which cause inflammation ad DNA damage. The technical definition is taking a methyl group which is one carbon and three hydrogen and you add it to another molecule. This simple act protects the cell. It does not allow for negative gene expression.
Different levels of methylation in people is what causes differences in aging and disease.
Why is it is important to detoxify?
Environmental chemicals are everywhere: in the foods we eat, to the clothes we wear to the furniture we sit on, to the air we breathe, the water we drink, we have made a toxic environment for ourselves.
These chemicals have been clinically proven to alter gene expression thereby causing disease.
Viruses and bacteria can also alter gene expression and methylation.
Methylation is responsible for:
Glutathione production- your body’s master antioxidant.
Energy production
Myelin production- the fatty sheath that protects your nerves and ell membrane integrity. Hormonal metabolites.
Neurotransmitter production and use.
Immune cells
DNA protection
Cardiovascular health
Thyroid health
Protects mitochondria
Many things can alter proper methylation. Problems in utero, childhood stressors, experiences, environmental exposure- BPA (on receipts by the way). We are awash in chemicals- hormones, herbicides plastics, genetically modified food. Many people think of the MTHFR Gene, but it goes way beyond that gene alteration.
As you can see, methylation is a vitally important process to the body! It plays a role in everything!
Now on to Epigentics
Epigenetic means “beside the genes”
“The greatest discovery of any generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of their minds” Albert Schweitzer
Our thoughts and our environment play a big role in determining how our genes express themselves. The thoughts of our ancestors transmit to each unborn fetus in utero. We do not change our DNA but we do change the expression of it.
Nature vs Nurture
Live a good lifestyle, detoxify, make sure methylation is occurring and histones are healthy.
How does diet alter the gene expression? Eating methylating foods is supportive. While eating foods that inhibit the process affect the expression as well.
Are you eating health giving foods or disease promoting foods?
Important Statistics
CDC: Chronic diseases are responsible for 7 of 10 deaths each year and treating people with chronic diseases accounts for 86% of our nation’s health care costs.
You cannot poison the body to health. Drugs may be life saving in a short term situation but if I personally were to take their (pharmaceutical drugs) would it make a healthy person better or worse? The answer is usually worse. Focus on promoting health instead.
157 million people have at least one chronic disease. Half the US population.
Healthcare costs were projected in 2015 to reach $4 trillion.
Money is being spent in the wrong direction.
Dr. Gregory W Peterson
IN SUMMARY, you can always change the course of gene expression. you have that control!
Eat an anti-inflammatory diet- mostly vegetables, good fats, clean pastured meat, detoxify and you will change your genetics.
Watch this powerful Ted Talk by Dr. Terry Wahls, who has amazingly put her progressive MS in to remission with diet.
For deeper awareness and reading
EPIGENTICS, INFLAMMATION, AND AGING : Part 1 A Practical Overview of Methylation