Balance Is The Key to Methylation

I regularly hear from customers that have learned they are MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) mutated and rush out and start supplementing with large doses of what would be considered a ‘megadose’ of both methyl folate and methyl B12 and—much to their surprise—their symptoms become worse, with some becoming convinced that they can’t handle a ‘methyl’ vitamin. All this is based on a very limited gene test, and without running a comprehensive methylation assessment to identify what is happening with their individual chemistry. So what is happening with these people?

Read more: MTHFR And The Problem of Excess Methyl Folate

It is no secret that methylation is the OLA LOA secret. Methylation is defined as the transfer of carbon-hydrogen molecules to their natural sites of action in the body chemistry and physiology.

Creatine, the most essential factor in sustaining muscle energy, consumes between 70 and 90 percent of the methyl groups available in the body chemistry. The more active the muscles, the greater the demand for creatine to store energy as active phosphate within the cells for instant use. The heart is a leading consumer, but brain cells also need creatine. Dietary creatine supplements are more expensive and less convenient than direct supplementation of TMG to support production of creatine for all the body cells and to support muscle energy and mental acuity.

Read more: Methylation and Muscle

The Key to Hydration

OLA LOA vitamin drinks offer protection against dehydration and low adrenal function by supplementing the four major mineral electrolytes: sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. It all comes down to the fact that life chemistry is entirely dependent on chemical reactions in water and maintaining molecular concentrations is crucial to survival. Osmotic pressure is the key to maintaining concentrations within survival limits.

OLA LOA products offer added protection to stabilize water concentration within cells by means of amine osmolytes: glycine, betaine (TMG), and taurine. These amines are called osmolytes because they can enter the body cells and they attract water by osmotic action to balance the molecular pressures of water across the cell membrane, Osmolytes thus take the place of electrolytes, especially sodium, and potassium, in case of electrolyte depletion by heat stress, sweating, diarrhea and adrenal gland weakness or exhaustion.

Read more: Beyond Electrolytes… Osmolytes

Bedtime Snacks? ~ Here's what to avoid and what to have.

If you are comfortable and sleepy at bedtime, a snack is not necessary. In fact, it is often adverse to snack on cheese, chocolate, eggplant, potatoes, sauerkraut, spinach, tomatoes and wine close to bedtime. These foods contain tyramine, which increases the release of norepinephrine, a brain stimulant. And for sure, it is wise to beware of MSG, monosodium glutamate, which is present in many packaged snack foods, especially soups. MSG is an excitotoxin and has damaging effects, especially in babies and young children and anyone subject to symptoms of insomnia, headache and anxiety-irritability.

Beware of simple sugars in soft drinks, desserts, and even natural fruit juices even thought they do enhance brain uptake of tryptophan and thus increase brain serotonin, a sleep hormone. I advise limit of 15 grams, about a tablespoon, due to rebound low blood sugar and early waking 3 or 4 hours later, the so-called dawn phenomenon.

Read more: Sleep Nutrition and OLA LOA