Methylation & Alzheimer's

This is my second in a series of articles on the subject of methylation.  If you missed the first one, April 30, 2015 "Methylation. This Could Be the Answer", go to www.NutritionalDirection.com and click on the homepage for previous newsletters.

Without getting too technical, the term methylation for this purpose of discussion is the method by which molecules in the body are positively changed for optimal health.  Methylation is a critical pathway that is associated with detoxification by the liver.

You might ask, "What does the liver have to do with Alzheimer's since Alzheimer's is a brain thing?"

Answer:  Homocysteine is an amino acid in the body, a by-product of the methylation cycle in the liver.  If this chemical becomes too high (easily measured in blood), it will affect long term cognitive function.  A study conducted in Baltimore of 1,140 individuals between the ages of fifty and seventy found that higher homocysteine levels were "associated with worse function across a broad range of cognitive domains."  Oxford researchers found that when test subjects took Vitamin B6, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12, not only did their homocysteine level drop, but their cognitive test scores jumped by up to 70%.

Many people have a genetic SNP (faulty gene from one or both parent) which interferes with proper methylation function.  To find out if you do, call Nutritional Direction for the MTHFR & COMT gene test.  It's a simple saliva swab at a cost of $115.00 and could be the difference between a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or not.  At the very least, call us for a blood draw to check your homocysteine level at only $51.00.

Excellent support for the brain from the "food pharmacy":

• Blueberries
• Grass-Fed Beef & Bison
• Kale, Spinach
• Pomegranates
• Sardines & Salmon
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Walnuts
• Beans, Peas & Lentils
• Avocado
• Cinnamon
• Cilantro
• Cumin
• Ginger
• Oregano
• Turmeric
• Mint
• Basil

This is by no means an exhaustive list.  It makes sense to eat a wide variety of whole, clean, live foods to cover all bases of health and leave out the "junk"!

For extra support, you can always add the B-complex vitamins, methylated folic acid and magnesium.  We have these on our dispensary shelves.  See below for valuable coupon. 

See Valuable Coupon Below 

"If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself."  2 Timothy 2:13