Dr. Alex Jimenez Explains How Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Affects Methylation

DNA methylation activity is in charge of a variety of essential bodily functions, however, this process can be easily interrupted. According to healthcare professionals, proper nutrition and lifestyle habits can help decrease inflammation and oxidative stress which can affect methylation. Although a complete research study on the treatments which can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress is beyond the scope of this article, the following list offers common treatments utilized to help promote methylation support.

Inflammation

Regulating blood glucose levels can help manage inflammation in the human body. Increased circulating glucose levels as well as acute, postprandial glucose spikes can ultimately trigger oxidative stress, demonstrating that glucose should be controlled. Excess weight can also develop pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-alpha and IL-6, which has been associated with abnormal DNA methylation patterns. An increased body-mass index, or BMI, and especially central adiposity, can ultimately trigger chronic inflammation.

Excessive levels of bacteria or dysbiosis in an individual’s gastrointestinal, or GI, tract can also promote higher levels of local and systemic inflammation. Bacterial pro-inflammatory compounds with systemic effects can originate from both the small and large intestine as well as in the stomach and oral cavity. Pro-inflammatory pathogenic bacterial species may also be found in internal tissues, such as atherosclerotic plaque. Helicobacter pylori, potentially located in the stomach, is also associated with abnormal methylation.

Food allergies and food sensitivities have also been demonstrated to increase inflammation through innate immune activation. Follow an anti-inflammatory diet which avoids the consumption of pro-inflammatory foods, such as sugars, refined carbohydrates, conventionally-raised animal products, refined vegetable oils, hydrogenated fats, and phytonutrient-rich whole plant foods and omega-3 fatty acids. Furthermore, pro-inflammatory lifestyle factors, such as stress and sedentary behavior, can be regulated through stress management techniques and physical activity. Lifestyle factors also affect DNA methylation, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress can be caused due to metabolic, dietary or environmental factors, including excessive calories, excessive sugars/refined carbohydrates, too little or too much exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco smoke, air pollutants, fungal toxins, charbroiled foods and other advanced glycation end products, ionizing radiation, chronic infections, poor sleep, and gut dysbiosis, can all contribute to oxidative stress which may lead to inflammation and affect DNA methylation activity.

Regulating oxidative stress, and therefore inflammation and DNA methylation activity, includes decreasing pro-inflammatory sources as well as increasing support in the form of antioxidants found in a high plant-food diet, herbs, spices, nuts, seeds, and unrefined oils. Specific supplements such as N-acetylcysteine, alpha lipoic acid and coenzyme Q10 may also be useful. The process by which oxidative stress can lead to inflammation and affect methylation is demonstrated by a variety of processes in the diagram below.

Inflammation is the human body’s natural response to injury, infection, or disease. Although it plays a fundamental role by signaling the immune system to heal and repair damaged tissue as well as to defend itself against foreign invaders, chronic inflammation caused by oxidative stress can affect DNA methylation. As mentioned in the article above, proper nutrition and lifestyle habits can help reduce inflammation caused by oxidative stress, ultimately improving methylation and overall health and wellness.

Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight

Smoothies and Juices for Methylation Support

While many healthcare professionals can recommend nutritional guidelines and lifestyle modifications to improve methylation support, there are several options you can try yourself at home. As described above, methylation support supplementation should be determined by a healthcare professional. Smoothies and juices are a fast and easy way to include all the necessary nutrients you need for methylation support without any side-effects. The smoothies and juices below are part of the Methylation Diet Food Plan.

Sea Green Smoothie
Servings: 1
Cook time: 5-10 minutes
• 1/2 cup cantaloupe, cubed
• 1/2 banana
• 1 handful of kale or spinach
• 1 handful of Swiss chard
• 1/4 avocado
• 2 teaspoons spirulina powder
• 1 cup water
• 3 or more ice cubes
Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until completely smooth and enjoy!

Berry Bliss Smoothie
Servings: 1
Cook time: 5-10 minutes
• 1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen, preferably wild)
• 1 medium carrot, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia seed
• 1 tablespoons almonds
• Water (to desired consistency)
• Ice cubes (optional, may omit if using frozen blueberries)
Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy. Best served immediately!

Sweet and Spicy Juice
Servings: 1
Cook time: 5-10 minutes
• 1 cup honeydew melons
• 3 cups spinach, rinsed
• 3 cups Swiss chard, rinsed
• 1 bunch cilantro (leaves and stems), rinsed
• 1-inch knob of ginger, rinsed, peeled and chopped
• 2-3 knobs whole turmeric root (optional), rinsed, peeled and chopped
Juice all ingredients in a high-quality juicer. Best served immediately!

Ginger Greens Juice
Servings: 1
Cook time: 5-10 minutes
• 1 cup pineapple cubes
• 1 apple, sliced
• 1-inch knob of ginger, rinsed, peeled and chopped
• 3 cups kale, rinsed and roughly chopped or ripped
• 5 cups Swiss chard, rinsed and roughly chopped or ripped
Juice all ingredients in a high-quality juicer. Best served immediately!

Zesty Beet Juice
Servings: 1
Cook time: 5-10 minutes
• 1 grapefruit, peeled and sliced
• 1 apple, washed and sliced
• 1 whole beet, and leaves if you have them, washed and sliced
• 1-inch knob of ginger, rinsed, peeled and chopped
Juice all ingredients in a high-quality juicer. Best served immediately!

Protein Power Smoothie
Serving: 1
Cook time: 5 minutes
• 1 scoop protein powder
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
• 1/2 banana
• 1 kiwi, peeled
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of cardamom
• Non-dairy milk or water, enough to achieve desired consistency
Blend all ingredients in a high-powered blender until completely smooth. Best served immediately!

ProLon® Fasting Mimicking Diet

Balanced methylation support can be achieved through proper nutrition. The ProLon® fasting mimicking diet offers a 5-day meal program which has been individually packed and labeled to serve the foods you need for the FMD in precise quantities and combinations. The meal program is made up of ready-to-eat or easy-to-prepare, plant-based foods, including bars, soups, snacks, supplements, a drink concentrate, and teas. The products are scientifically formulated and great tasting. Before starting the ProLon® fasting mimicking diet, 5-day meal program, please make sure to talk to a healthcare professional to find out if the FMD is right for you. The ProLon® fasting mimicking diet can help promote methylation support, among a variety of other healthy benefits.

Many healthcare professionals recommend a variety of treatment options to help regulate oxidate stress and inflammation to prevent health issues associated with DNA methylation. Proper nutrition and lifestyle habits, can improve methylation. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal and nervous health issues as well as functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .

Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez

Additional Topic Discussion: Acute Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes of disability and missed days at work worldwide. Back pain attributes to the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at least once throughout their life. Your spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, among other soft tissues. Injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.

Formulas for Methylation Support

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