Methyl
is a term from organic chemistry that refers to nutrients which produce
the biochemical process, methylation, where chemicals are added to
proteins, DNA, or other molecules to keep your body functioning
properly. Methyl-related nutrients include folate, methionine, Vitamin
B12 and Vitamin B6, and have been linked to decreased risk of breast,
colon and pancreatic cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Studies published by the American Journals of Epidimeology and the
American Journal of Nutrition suggest a diet rich in these
micronutrients may help you avoid cancer plus many other health
problems, as well.
Homocysteine
One example of the methylation process is
when your body uses the amino acid, methionine to join with your body's
proteins and DNA, it produces a bi-product called homocysteine which
needs to be methylated, or joined with methyl-related nutrients in order
to convert it back to methionine. If methylation does not occur,
homocysteine's presence increases your risk of heart disease, high
cholesterol, Alzheimers, liver disease and depression. Methylation
processes are happening throughout your body to keep your systems
running well.
Methyl-related nutrients are found in three
groups of compounds: B Vitamins, Betaine and SAMe,
S-Adenosyl-Methionine. In food sources, methyl-related nutrients can be
found in foods rich in natural folate, or Vitamin B9, including
strawberries, citrus fruits and leafy green vegetables. Good sources of
Vitamin B12 are fish, meat, milk, and eggs. Choline oxidizes to form a
source of methyl called Betaine, which is found in its highest
concentration in beef liver. Toasted wheat germ and eggs are also
excellent sources of choline, with cod, beef, brussel sprouts, broccoli,
shrimp and salmon being good sources as well. Two large eggs contain
252 mg choline, nearly half of the recommended 550 mg per day for men.
Folate
The synthetic form of folate is folic acid,
found in supplements and added to fortified foods. Folate is key in
producing and maintaining the cells in your body. It also makes DNA and
prevents DNA from changing, which may reduce your risk of cancer,
according to the National Cancer Instititute. The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration issued regulations in 1996 that require the addition of
folic acid to enriched grain products, making folate the most widely
available methyl-related nutrient in the American diet. According to the
Office of Dietary Supplements, a division of the National Institutes of
Health, the daily recommended intake of folate is 400 mg.
Risks
If your body is not doing its share of
methylation, doctors can spot your problem through increased
homocysteine, the amino acid by-product. One of the main problems from
high levels of homocysteine is coronary artery disease. Outside of diet,
you are at higher risk of increased homocysteine if you do not exercise
at least three times per week; if you have a family history of heart
disease, neurological disease, liver problems or depression, if you
smoke or use birth control you are also at increased risk.
Prevention
Diet plays a key role in your risk of
increased homocysteine. Processed foods and fast foods contain only a
fraction of the necessary methyl-related nutrients your body needs for
methylation. Drinking even moderate amounts of alcohol may prevent your
body from properly absorbing methyl-related nutrients, according to a
study published by the Journal of Nutrition. Another university study by
Oregon State notes that high doses of methyl-related supplementation
has been linked to excessive production and excretion of trimethylamine
which causes vomiting, salivation, increased sweating and a
fishy-smelling body odor. Discuss your specific dietary needs with your
doctor before making any changes.
http://www.livestrong.com
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