It’s considered to turn on and off genes, build neurotransmitters (our calming mechanisms in our bodies), process hormones, build immune cells, produce energy, protect our nerves and build and maintain cell membranes.  It occurs every second of every minute of every day and our bodies do it naturally; unless there are disruptions.  

‘It’ is better referred to as methylation.  In short methylation translates in the biochemical world as the addition of a single carbon group with three hydrogens onto a compound.  In lay terms, methylation is a healthy process in which certain chemicals are being donated to DNA, proteins and other molecules.  Methylation is one of four means to protect our DNA.  If we don’t have methylation, our body stops functioning and we die.  It’s truly remarkable that the human body creates this process and does it as well as it does for the majority of us. 

Some of you may ask, ‘what does methylation have to do with me’? The answer is ‘it depends’ on whether your body is symptomatic or not and whether it needs more than fundamental supports in the areas of hormones, immune, digestion and detoxification.  Methylation is also highly dependent on two factors: genetic disposition and the environment.  I wrote an article on Angelina Jolie and her alleged predisposition to breast cancer based on her discovery on the BCRA gene.  You can read that article here   

Yes there are minimally 40% of the population that has the potential for their methylation process to have a minor/major breakdowns.  Either internal or external stress (or both) can dictate whether the process will be hindered or halted altogether.  The great news is even though the information on methylation and its effect on health is fairly recent (in the last 5 years) there are pioneers that our paving the way for us practitioners to help identify in our clients where the blocks may be and  put those supports in place.  Dr. Ben Lynch is one of these pioneers.  And I was fortunate enough to attend his conference with 300 other practitioners in Seattle, WA this past weekend.  In a brief term, I found the conference to be undeniably informative and practical.  I look forward to integrating it into my work with clients and will be posting more on this topic in the near future. 

Be well,

Lynn