• Detoxification: improving digestive tract function and microbe ecology, cleaning up one’s personal environment, obtaining guidance and support for identification and detoxification of internal and external toxicants. • Support for impaired methylation cycles.
What is Methylation? Methylation is an essential biochemical process that occurs
in every cell of the body, billions of times per second. The com- mon currency of methylation is the “methyl group,” a biochemical “widget” that contains one carbon and three hydrogen atoms. These methyl group widgets are used to drive many different biochemi- cal processes through revolving “cycles” of methylation. This is like a biochemical game of poker, during which methyl groups are exchanged and passed around to perform necessary functions.
In the brain, the importance of methylation to healthy mood
cannot be overstated. Methylation is involved in making hormones and neurotransmitters (such as melatonin, serotonin, cortisol, epi- nephrine, and dopamine) that interact to promote a mind-state of serene, alert well-being and tolerance for stress. Methylation is also essential to the necessary metabolism, or the breaking down of hor- mones and neurotransmitters (such as dopamine, cortisol, histamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and glutamate) for elimination. If methylation is impaired, the balance between production and elimi- nation of stress hormones and neurotransmitters is skewed. Mental function and mood are negatively affected by the impairment.
Supporting MTHFR, MTRR and COMT Enzymes Methylene tetra-hydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), methionine synthase reductase (MTRR), and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) are enzyme systems that act synergistically as brain meth- ylation pathways to promote balanced brain biochemistry. Reduced activity of these enzymes can occur because of inadequate nutri- tional cofactors required for their function. This can be due to poor diet, nutrient depletion from stress, inflammation or toxicity, or genetic influences. Impairment of these enzymes increases vulner- ability to depression (and other disorders such as anxiety, attention problems, and bipolar illness).
With the relatively recent identification of gene SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms, or mutations) involving these and other enzyme systems, genetic influences on depression have become more clear. Fortunately, it’s possible to reduce the impact of genetic vulnerability by providing specific nutrient support, targeting the genetic vulnerability associated with the SNP. In this way, the symp- tomatic expression of depression (and other mood disorders) may be “epigenetically” modified in a positive direction through nutrition and lifestyle. For example, through testing, a person may learn that they received a SNP from both parents for the MTHFR mutation. He/ she is significantly more vulnerable (36% according to one study) to depression because this interferes with folate metabolism. The good news is that this genetic vulnerability may be significantly neutral- ized by an adequate nutritional intake of appropriate nutrients, including folate. It’s like taking a detour around a roadblock.
Nutritional “Antidepressant” Support for Methylation The amino acid nutrients S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) and
methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) provide raw material for and broad general support for methylation. Essential co-factors used in these pathways include the B-vitamin folate in the form of 5-MTHF (5-methyl tetrahydrofolate), vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin), and activated or phosphorylated forms of pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and riboflavin (vitamin B-2). Additional nutritional methylation co-
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factors are trimethylglycine (also called betaine) and the minerals selenium and magnesium. For optimal bioavailability, particularly for those with genetic vulnerability to poor methylation, these nutri- ents must be provided in ready-to-go, partially metabolized forms, as noted above.
Because of the complex interrelationships between these enzyme processes and the nutrient co-factors that support them, it is recommended that nutritional intervention be taken under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner with a background in func- tional medicine and biochemistry as it relates to methylation and mood.
How’s Your Methylation? How can you find out if you have a problem with these natural- ly mood-stabilizing pathways? One of the most obvious indications of methylation impairment is a serum test for the blood protein ho- mocysteine, available from any clinical laboratory. A serum homo- cysteine level above 8.0 indicates that methylation is not proceeding smoothly. Another indicator is an elevated mean cell volume (MCV) on a complete blood count (CBC). That said, a normal MCV can coexist in someone with an elevated homocysteine level, and not all methylation impairment can be identified through homocysteine. However, with the advent of relatively inexpensive genetic testing, it’s easy to find out if you have SNPs in methylation-relevant enzyme systems (including MTHFR, COMT, and MTRR). Armed with that information, you and your healthcare provider can create a person- alized plan for better methylation and mood.
Debra Gibson, N.D. practices naturopathic family medicine in her Ridgefield, CT office. Functional support for depression and anxiety is an area of focus of her practice. She can be reached at (203)-431- 4443 or at
drgibsonsoffice@sbcglobal.net. Visit her blog at www.
debragibsonnd.com. See ad on page 44.
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