I had never heard of methylation (or at least I didn't pay much attention) until last summer. It seems I have found a key piece in the puzzle..of my experience, and hopefully something helpful to share with you too..
I became aware of the process of methylation for myself, when I decided to switch to egg white protein powder in my smoothies. I just wanted to try a switch from the other protein powder I was using.. I had also read that egg white protein powder also had a high tryptophan content, which would also help to boost serotonin levels, so I thought that was a nice bonus. After a couple of weeks using this powder I started to noticed a new level of detox in my body. I was having similar cleansing symptoms as when I first started Candida cleansing years ago. I didn't connect it to the egg white protein right away, but it was the only thing different in my diet. As I researched, I found that egg white not only contains high tryptophan levels, but also is one of the highest food sources of sulfur. Sulfur, I soon found out, is key in the methylation process. The methylation process is also key in helping the body to detox.
I also discovered that Sulfur in and of itself, is also key in helping to cleanse fungus and bad bacteria. I realized this a couple of weeks later, while traveling in Washington State while having a conversation with the farmer I was staying with. While we were walking and he was showing me his apple orchards, he mentioned that they would be spraying in couple of weeks. I asked what they would spray on the trees and he said Sulfur, which is to kill fungus that would affect the fruit otherwise.
Sulfur as it turns out is key in helping the body to detox, and also in the methylation process.
You can also supplement with MSM, for more sulfur. Also, here's a list of foods high in sulfur content. Also, methionine and cysteine are the two sulfur containing amino acids.
What is methylation?
This article from Mind, Body Green describes it as:
(..methylation is) the addition of a single carbon and three hydrogen atoms (called a methyl group) to another molecule. The removal of a methyl group is called de-methylation. Think of billions of little on/off switches inside your body that control everything from your stress response and how your body makes energy from food, to your brain chemistry and detoxification. That's methylation and de-methylation.
Methyl groups control:
- The stress (fight-or-flight) response
- The production and recycling of glutathione — the body's master antioxidant
- The detoxification of hormones, chemicals and heavy metals
- The inflammation response
- Genetic expression and the repair of DNA
- Neurotransmitters and the balancing of brain chemistry
- Energy production
- The repair of cells damaged by free radicals
- The immune response, controlling T-cell production, fighting infections and viruses and regulating the immune response----
The Methylation process is also key in creating Glutathione, an important antioxidant. Here are some other key things I have learned.
-methylation is a key metabolic process
-people can be "over-methylators" or "under-methylators" (this can be based on genetics, or digestive or other issues)
-the amino acid methionine helps to support the methylation process
-methylation is key in creating serotonin
-methylation is key in detoxing the body
-candida toxin can cause under-methylation
-under-methylation can cause high histamine levels
..and so much more!!
So after reading all of this and based on my own signs and symptoms, I guessed that I am an "under-methylator". This occured either due to genetic predisposition or my methylation process was slowed by various factors (including Candida and bacteria overgrowth). I also feel this lowered methylation would have made me more likely to have an overgrowth of candida, and also lower serotonin levels. (It's best to get a doctors opinion and it is also possible to get a histamine test, or getting genetic test which can turn up genetic markers that predispose a person to being and "under" or "over" methylator.) (testing at http://23andme.com )
Under-methylators can enhance the methylation process using supplements. I started by taking "Sam E" and Methyl-cobalamin (b12). I started with low doses by breaking the pills in half and worked my way up. I am also now rotating in MSM occasionally. When I first started the Sam E I detoxed a LOT. I thought this was unusual as I had already been working on cleansing with probiotics and better diet for a few years. I learned that the Sam E also helped to cleanse the liver and improve joint function. I think these two must be connected because as my body adjusted my knee joints also ached terribly. The knee pain lasted for several weeks, but finally cleared with the other detox symptoms. I have since learned that probiotics and digestive health are also key in supporting the methylation process, as Candida's toxin byproducts can inhibit the methylation process.
Here are some additional links to check out---
Methylation and mental health:
Methylation and Candida:
Methylation and Reflux:
Niacin soaks up methyl donors -- ie the antidote for "overmethylation"
Methylation (over and under) symptoms list:
Undermethylation and high histamine:
Other key connections:
Methylation affects Serotonin levels
Serotonin not only affects moods, but is ALSO anti-fungal (against candida and other pathogenic bacteria and fungus)
Increased methylation can also help lower histamine levels.
Stress and emotional abuse can also cause lowered methylation. (see videos below)
Melatonin (a powerful anti-oxidant) affects methylation. In turn, Meditation, and other factors such as lighting, can also stimulate the production of more melatonin.
..these are just a few of many interdependent actions..
..these are just a few of many interdependent actions..
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Here's a series of videos on youtube that help to understand this whole methylation process more simply.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4uqEDK6BvM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZXKNYSXBCs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhclZ-8XxnQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh1ea-q8nu8
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So just a brief bit about how this might be related to my "awakening" experience---
the weeks before, I was eating a ton of garlic (which also has a high sulfur content, is anti-fungal and contains methyl donors) and also eating kefir grains. I feel that the awakening and the detox of candida were linked.. So, my guess is that I was speeding up the methylation process by eating the garlic and kefir grains, and then the methylation process was getting even more of a boost in methylation as the candida was dying off. My serotonin levels were starting to increase too as my body was adjusting..
So, serotonin is produced in the body by the amino acid tryptophan.. and the Methylation process is supported by methionine.
Then the whole awakening process was kicked off by the meditation in the height of all of this.
When a person meditates the pineal gland is stimulated and the pineal then creates the following chemicals in a chain of events:
(from Serotonin-->)Melatonin-->Pinoline-->(5-MeO-DMT---->DMT) (http://www.acutcmdetox.com/tryptophan2.html)
DMT = (Di-Methyl-Tryptamine)
(I put brackets around the last two in the sequence above because I don't believe scientists have definitely proven that both of these are produced by the human pineal yet.)
LC/MS/MS analysis of the endogenous dimethyltryptamine (DMT) hallucinogens, their precursors, and major metabolites in rat pineal gland microdialysate
NEW: DMT Found in the Pineal Gland of Live Rats
https://www.cottonwoodresearch.org/dmt-pineal-2013/
5-MeO-DMT is what is produced by the Amazonian psychedelic brew called Ayahuasca. From everything I have read about ayahuasca experiences they are very similar to what I experienced spontaneously.. Ayahuasca is basically plant based DMT too.. so I feel that it's possible that in my experience I produced a sort of DMT experience in my own body thru meditation), and that by supporting the body's naturally balanced chemical processes we can support the awakening of higher perspectives and awareness through meditation.
I also think that it is biologically advantageous for the mind and body to raise this awareness, and shed the ego-based identity, as this is hardwired into the reptilian brain and triggers ongoing stress responses.
Am I on the right track??? (I think I am and will present more evidence to support this theory as I go..)
(the methylation cycle)
For sound downloads click here.
Just a personal note: There is nothing new under the sun. I am just attempting to present info. here that has helped me. I hope to present it in a clear way based on my experience with anxiety which was a spiritual, psychological and emotional awakening for me. In retrospect of this experience I have been reading as much as I could to come to a deeper and more grounded understanding of this seemingly mystical thing that happened to me (so that I could share it with you). I'm not a doctor or a scientist. Please know this is only my experience. Yours will obviously be different, but since my experience was so similar to others I've talked to, I am hoping this may be helpful or useful to you in some way. It's also a way that I hope to share the love with you. That is my purpose here.