Dr. Alex Jimenez Discusses the Role of Methylation Adaptogens

When we support DNA methylation in the human body with high-dose supplements, such as folate and vitamin B12, essential nutrients in the production of methyl donor compounds, we are doing a lot to prevent methylation deficiencies. However, healthcare professionals suggest that we are not promoting methylation support by utilizing this approach.

Research studies evaluating the epigenome have demonstrated that both the increase and decrease of DNA methylation can cause health issues. DNA methylation imbalances can occur in different regions of the same gene. One area of the genome might be hypermethylated and turned off while another area of the genome might be hypomethylated and turned on.

Methylation imbalances in cancer cause tumor suppressor genes to become hypermethylated and turn off, allowing the tumor to continue to grow. Moreover, cancer-promoting oncogenes may also become hypomethylated and turn on, also allowing cancer to expand. A variety of methylation imbalances may be associated with several health issues. Even aging and especially accelerated aging can ultimately cause aberrant methylation.

What are Methylation Adaptogens?

Epigenetic methylation imbalances can occur due to numerous factors beyond the methylation cycle as well as vitamin B12 and folate intake. Other factors which can also affect DNA methylation include; toxin exposures, our microbiome and mitochondrial health, stress, lifestyle habits like exercise and physical activity as well as our diet and nutrition.

Improving your nutrition, diet, and lifestyle habits, with the goal of promoting methylation support, is a fundamental piece of maintaining overall health and wellness. It is also a safe and effective, alternative treatment option for methylation support. Research studies have demonstrated that specific foods appear to act as methylation adaptogens.

The term adaptogen, most commonly utilized in botanical medicine, refers to a plant-based chemical or substance which controls the biochemical pathways. Adrenal adaptogens, by way of instance, are also frequently used for stress and can support both underactive as well as overactive adrenal activity. Adaptogens are like a thermostat: when temperatures rise above the desired level, the thermostat turns off to drop temperatures. When temperatures drop below the desired level, the thermostat turns on to raise temperatures. Adaptogens are both gentle and powerfully effective.

Several natural compounds can also act as adaptogens in DNA methylation by both maintaining proper methylation status and regulating improper methylation activity. Furthermore, methylation adaptogens can help prevent abnormal DNA methylation which can cause a variety of health issues. Methylation is essential for our overall health and wellness.

Several methylation adaptogens include; anthocyanins, apigenin, betanin, biochanin A, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, coumaric acid, curcumin, daidzein, ellagic acid, EGCG, genistein, lycopene, myricetin, naringenin, quercetin, rosmarinic acid, and sulforaphane. These are plant compounds, known as bioactive phytonutrients, which are found directly in the foods we eat or should be eating. A diet which is rich in varied and colorful plant foods can supply the human body with plenty of these amazing molecules.

The following list of foods has been demonstrated to contain high amounts of methylation adaptogens. Include at least two servings of these every day for general methylation support, and more if you are taking a high dose methyl-donor supplement with folate/folic acid and vitamin B12. The foods below can help promote methylation support, including but not limited to:

• Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, arugula, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, watercress, rutabaga, radish, and turnip)
• Berries
• Ghee
• Turmeric
• Shiitake Mushrooms
• Soy (fermented, traditional versions)
• Rosemary
• Green tea
• Oolong tea

DNA methylation imbalances can cause a variety of health issues. Promoting methylation support with nutrition, lifestyle habits, and supplements is fundamental, however, understanding how these factors can help control DNA methylation is essential towards overall health and wellness. Many foods can provide what is known as methylation adaptogens. These can help safely and effectively promote methylation support, alongside exercise and physical activities, without experiencing the side-effects of supplementation.

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 doctors and functional medicine practitioners can recommend nutritional advice and/or guidelines to help improve DNA methylation. Proper nutrition and lifestyle habits can ultimately help improve DNA methylation. Understanding the role of methylation adaptogens can help promote methylation support. 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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