January 03, 2022
Why Is Methylation Important?
- Produces glutathione, a master antioxidant, that fights free radicals that can cause oxidative stress as a result of obesity, a diet high in sugar/fat/processed foods, exposure to radiation, smoking cigarettes, alcohol consumption, medications, pollution, pesticides/industrial chemicals. Glutathione plays a major role in phase II detoxification in the liver by binding to heavy metals and other toxins to prepare for elimination.
- Synthesizes neurotransmitters and hormones: serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline, norepinephrine and melatonin.
- Silences and activates gene expression via epigenetic modification. Genetic variants in methylation can increase susceptibility to health conditions. When DNA is methylated, nearby histones are deacetylated which is the reversing of biochemical impact of acetylation on downstream gene activity that can inhibit effects on transcription factors. For example, in the setting of cancer, inhibition of transcription factors can lead to degradation of cancer cells.