File : " Methylation, a little known process but essential to life ", by Dr Thierry Schmitz

Most people have never heard of methylation, but without it we would all be dead. So why aren't physicians talking to their patients about this process?

The 1980s was the decade of antioxidants that was featured in every health magazine. Although most people do not understand the mechanism of oxidation or the significance of free radicals, they do understand the antidote: antioxidants.

Methylation

Like oxidation, ethylation is a biochemical process that corresponds to the transfer of a methyl group, composed of one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms (ch3) from one molecule to another. Stated in this way, it doesn't sound exciting, but the end result is crucial. Indeed, carbon is present in every organic substance on earth, and when carbon atoms move, many things change. To understand methylation, you have to think of the human body as a car. The methylation is the spark plug. Without it, everything stops because methylation is involved in more than 100 biochemical reactions in our body.

In summary, it can be stated that methylation is involved in DNA repair and plays a role in the body's ability to repair damaged cells before they become cancerous. Protein methylation is essential for cell-to-cell communication by activating membrane receptors, while phospholipid methylation maintains the flexibility and permeability of cell membranes, which are essential for cell-to-cell exchanges. Methylation is necessary for the production of our most important antioxidant, Glutathione. It also manufactures adrenaline from norepinephrine and melatonin from serotonin and largely regulates brain activity. In addition to the brainThe liver also uses methylation to carry out its role of detoxification of the body.

Methylation deficiencies

We do not know how to measure the methylation capacity of an individual. But the effects of under-methylation can be observed by premature aging, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, liver diseases, depression.

Just as the body can become deficient in antioxidants, it can become methylo-depleted.

All methylation reactions in the body require S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) which is made in the body from methionine and ATP.

Since SAMe is the ultimate methylation substance, anything that depletes SAMe lowers the methylation. Anything that impedes ATP synthesis (such as alcohol) will deplete SAMe. The lack of vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid will also deplete SAMe.

The SAMe (pronounced: "samy")

Every day in my practice I see many patients who regularly consume anti-oxidants to prevent certain diseases and aging. This is a good approach but I draw their attention to the importance of methylation and the only natural product that can enhance it: SAMe. As methylation activity declines with age, many specialists now believe that this slowing contributes to the aging process itself and to the development of several diseases.

SAMe and depression

SAMe has been the subject of numerous clinical studies that have demonstrated its effectiveness in treating depression, even severe depression, and even in patients who did not benefit from conventional antidepressants. These studies have also helped explain the mode of action of SAMe which is to increase the levels of certain brain hormones called neurotransmitters: noradrenaline (natural stimulant), dopamine (responsible for the feeling of well-being) and serotonin (natural calming).

SAMe and melatonin

SAMe is essential for the production of melatonin. Indeed, the synthesis of melatonin during the night depends on the synthesis of SAMe during the day.

SAMe is essential to convert serotonin into melatonin.

There is a circadian rhythm between SAMe and melatonin: when melatonin levels rise during the night, SAME levels remain low and when melatonin levels fall during the day, SAME levels rise.

If there is a deficiency in the synthesis of SAME during the day, there will be a deficiency in the synthesis of melatonin during the night, and we know the important role of melatonin in regulating and controlling our biological clock: it improves the sleepIt stimulates the immune system and protects the central nervous system.

SAMe and the liver

SAMe increases the production of Glutathione which plays a major role in the hepatic detoxification process. It can be used to treat serious liver conditions such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. Its hepatoprotective action makes it a nutritional supplement of choice for alcohol consumers.

SAMe and fibromyalgia

In 1991, in a clinical trial of 44 subjects with fibromyalgia, researchers observed significant improvements in pain, fatigue, morning stiffness and mood in subjects treated with SAMe.

SAMe and osteoarthritis

SAMe (400 to 1200 mg daily) relieves pain as effectively as anti-inflammatory drugs and also has a protective effect on articular cartilage.

How to use the SAMe

The classic dosage is 400 mg per day (1 tablet 10 minutes before breakfast and before lunch). Symptoms usually improve within 15 days. In some cases (especially for pain), double the dose and take 800 mg per day (4 tablets per day). It is also important to remember that it is sometimes necessary to combine SAMe with other nutritional supplements to treat certain pathologies. For example in the fibromyalgiaIn the case of osteoarthritis, I combine SAMe with Moducare and EAP-Ca, while in the case of osteoarthritis, the right combination is SAMe plus glucosamine. In depression, SAMe alone is effective in 70% of patients which is a better result than antidepressant drugs but without the side effects!
Another point to consider is the duration of treatment. Remember that SAMe is a disease-modifying therapy and should not be discontinued until complete improvement is achieved. This is not a problem since SAMe has no risk of addiction, nor any side effects.
The SAMe, one of the pharmaceutical industry's misfits.

One of the pharmaceutical industry's criticisms of nutritional supplements is that one product can be used to treat multiple conditions. She doesn't understand how something that is good for the liver can also be good for the brain.

However, it is quite possible when a product affects a fundamental process of the body, it can have different effects.

Brain cells depend on methylation as much as liver cells. A product that restarts methylation reactions can be used to treat methylation deficiency diseases whether they occur in the brain or liver.

In the pharmaceutical world this does not happen often. Medications are too specific; you wouldn't understand taking a liver medication to treat depression!