Your genes are DIRTY! All things methylation, MTHFR, and SNPs with Dr. Ben Lynch

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Paul Saladino1h 20m · 2019-06-25

Claims Made

141

Claims Supported

115

Support Rate

82%

Support rate

115 of 141 claims supported

115 supported26 partial / not

Claims from this content

111

Well SupportedSupplements should be of the highest quality, with ingredient amounts on the label precisely matching the product's content.Well SupportedRiboflavin is crucial for methylation reactions, particularly for individuals with MTHFR polymorphisms, and can help a 'broken' MTHFR enzyme function optimally.Well SupportedCholesterol gallstones are typically formed due to an imbalance in cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine in bile, often caused by choline deficiency.Well SupportedAncestral Supplements produces freeze-dried organ meat supplements in convenient gelatin capsules, sourced from grass-fed, grass-finished animals in New Zealand.

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Bookmarking — the dossier-vs-overview split is the right call. Most of the time I want overview; sometimes I want receipts.

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Would love a "what would change this verdict" RSS feed. Sign me up if it exists.

Well Supported

Consuming organs like liver, heart, stomach, kidneys, and thymus is beneficial for human health due to their nutrient content and specific peptides.

Well SupportedChecking homocysteine levels is sufficient to assess the need for folate and riboflavin without genetic testing.

Well SupportedCholine is converted into phosphatidylcholine, a critical cell membrane component that regulates intracellular transportation and constitutes brain and cell matter.

Well SupportedAncestral Supplements produces grass-fed, grass-finished organ complex supplements using low-temperature dehydration.

Well SupportedExposure to sunlight in the morning and watching a sunset in the evening can support sleep regulation.

Well SupportedA kidney supplement from Ancestral Supplements, containing DAO, can be helpful for individuals with histamine issues.

Well SupportedThe desiccated brain supplement from Ancestral Supplements contains sphingomyelin, which plays a central role in the myelin sheath and cell signaling.

Well SupportedChecking homocysteine levels and monitoring overall well-being are indicators of methylation process efficiency.

Well SupportedA properly executed carnivore diet can support methylation by providing sufficient choline, methionine, methylcobalamin, and B vitamins from liver.

Well SupportedAdequate folic acid intake is crucial for DNA synthesis, skin cell repair, and cell proliferation.

Well SupportedMethylation is the biological process by which genes are turned on and off, regulating systems such as detoxification, mood, and energy.

Partially SupportedJuve near-infrared light therapy devices are used for endocrine gland support and to monitor changes in testosterone levels.

Well SupportedIndividuals with a slow MTHFR gene may not produce sufficient methylfolate, which is necessary for methylating homocysteine.

Well SupportedDiet and exercise must be optimized before considering supplements.

Partially SupportedDr. Ben Lynch's custom genetic chip offers actionable information based on credible SNPs.

Partially SupportedSAM and SAH are better methylation markers than homocysteine, and SAH is a precursor to homocysteine.

Partially SupportedJuve near infrared and red light therapy devices may improve sleep, heart rate variability (HRV), and REM sleep.

Partially SupportedSupplementation with riboflavin is likely beneficial for individuals with persistent migraines who cannot obtain sufficient amounts from diet.

Partially SupportedNutrient-rich food, defined as whole animal food without plant toxins, is the optimal human diet.

Partially SupportedEliminating plant foods and focusing on animal foods may improve health if any aspect of one's life is suboptimal.

Partially SupportedConsuming leafy green vegetables and liver can bypass the need for efficient MTHFR gene function by providing methylfolate.

Well SupportedA nutrient-rich diet, adequate sleep, stress management, community, and exercise are fundamental to health.

Partially SupportedPoorly functioning MTHFR enzyme (polymorphisms at 677 or 1298) requires adequate intake of riboflavin and methylfolate, and monitoring of homocysteine levels.

Partially SupportedHumans may not produce sufficient glycine.

Partially SupportedKidneys are a source of diamine oxidase (DAO), an enzyme valuable for individuals with histamine intolerance.

Partially SupportedA poorly functioning gene combined with suboptimal nutrition or environmental factors leads to suboptimal physiological performance.

Partially SupportedDr. Ben Lynch is a leader in nutrigenomics.

Partially SupportedIf consuming a high-methionine diet without adequate glycine, the body may use glycine to buffer excess methyl groups via the GNMT reaction to sarcosine.

Partially SupportedLeafy green vegetables contain folate but may also contain anti-nutrients like oxalates and tannins that can hinder nutrient absorption.

Partially SupportedThe balance between methionine and glycine is complex and not fully understood.

Well SupportedIndividuals with MTHFR C677 homozygous polymorphism have an 80% reduced ability to convert folate to its primary active form.

Partially SupportedThe gene GNMT is involved in removing excess methyl groups from the body.

Partially SupportedCOMT is an enzyme that transfers a methyl group from catecholamines.

Partially SupportedFinding clean ingredients for supplements, such as apple pectin, can be extremely difficult, requiring extensive sourcing efforts.

Partially SupportedB vitamins are approximately 30% less bioavailable from plant sources than animal sources due to glycoproteins.

Partially SupportedEgg yolks and liver are good sources of bioavailable riboflavin, and supplementation is an option.

Partially SupportedAdequate riboflavin (vitamin B2) intake requires consuming organ meats like liver and heart, especially when not eating nose to tail.

Partially SupportedRiboflavin, found in liver and kidney, can improve elevated homocysteine levels.

Well SupportedOverloading with SAMe can increase homocysteine levels, which is detrimental.

Not SupportedGiving SAMe to pregnant women with cholestasis and MTHFR issues or high homocysteine may worsen outcomes by reducing phosphatidylcholine production.

Not SupportedThe supplement industry is characterized by the use of metals, mercury, bacteria, and solvents, indicating a lack of ingredient cleanliness.

Partially SupportedPaul Saladino normalized MTHFR function and stopped supplementing L-methylfolate with a diet of liver and egg yolks.

Partially SupportedNear-infrared light is necessary for human bodies.

Partially SupportedMethylation is a fundamental system crucial for neurotransmitter function, melatonin synthesis, histamine elimination, and overall health.

Partially SupportedFolate in beans is poorly utilized due to phytates.

Partially SupportedThe MTHFR enzyme converts one form of folate into L-methylfolate.

Partially SupportedPhosphatidylcholine or lecithin supplementation is beneficial for gallbladder issues, especially for those on keto or intermittent fasting diets.

Partially SupportedInsufficient choline intake or impaired methylation can lead to insufficient phosphatidylcholine, resulting in thick bile and increased risk of gallstones.

Partially SupportedProducts received by Ben Lynch's QC department are quarantined and re-tested, and rejected if they do not meet specifications.

Partially SupportedIndividuals should stop taking non-life-preserving supplements to identify what can be achieved independently through lifestyle changes.

Partially SupportedSeeking Health avoids soy-based phosphatidylcholine due to concerns about GMOs, Roundup, and hexane solvent.

Partially SupportedPaul Saladino recommends Seeking Health supplements to his clients without reservation.

Partially SupportedSufficient thyroid function is necessary to utilize supplemental riboflavin, as thyroid hormones convert riboflavin into its active form, FAD.

Partially SupportedRiboflavin is a nutrient required by enzymes for their function.

Partially SupportedThe PMT enzyme creates phosphatidylcholine, a major component of cell membranes, brain tissue, nerves, and bile.

Partially SupportedApproximately 99% of gallbladders do not need to be removed, and the high rate of gallbladder removal in the US is an epidemic.

Not SupportedSAMe supplementation can lead to anxiety and elevated homocysteine levels.

Partially SupportedHigh levels of formaldehyde or swimming in chlorinated pools may require additional glutathione.

Partially SupportedAn MTHFR gene SNP can reduce its function, impacting methylation.

Partially SupportedIf methylation processes do not function correctly, various problematic symptoms can arise.

Partially SupportedSupplements should only be used to address specific issues after living the fundamentals.

Partially SupportedThe SHMT gene, which requires vitamin B6, serine, and folates, is involved in producing glycine.

Partially SupportedPolymorphisms in genes like MTHFR, or environmental exposures, can lead to genes not functioning as well as they should.

Partially SupportedA carnivore diet with organ meats and choline can support methylation and potentially mitigate high homocysteine.

Not SupportedAmbien and similar pharmaceuticals may not address the root cause of sleep problems, which could be deficiencies in folate and other vitamins related to methylation cycles.

Partially SupportedMethylation is involved in the two-step conversion of serotonin to melatonin.

Partially SupportedMethylfolate slows down the activity of the GNMT gene.

Partially SupportedHaving MTHFR polymorphisms means inheriting DNA variations from parents that differ from the standard population.

Partially SupportedIndividual biochemistry, not just diet, determines health outcomes, as some vegans/vegetarians and carnivores can be unhealthy.

Partially SupportedMethylation is required for the elimination of catecholamines like dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.

Partially SupportedThe body's methylation system generally functions well if provided with the necessary nutrients.

Partially SupportedAchieving 400mg of riboflavin daily from food sources like liver and egg yolks is practically impossible.

Partially SupportedEnzymes like MAO and glutathione reductase require riboflavin.

Partially SupportedMethylation is a fundamental process that integrates bodily functions, including neurotransmitters, melatonin, and histamine.

Partially SupportedGenes can become less functional due to environmental exposures, toxins, inadequate sleep, stress, or insufficient nutrients.

Partially SupportedMethylation is involved in creatine and cell membrane synthesis, with approximately 80% of methylation reactions dedicated to these processes.

Partially SupportedGenetic reports should provide data on the functional relevance of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), not just their presence.

Partially SupportedUnderstanding gene functions and their required support allows for informed action in one's own life.

Partially SupportedHomocysteine is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurological disorders.

Partially SupportedMTHFR polymorphisms can lead to a wide range of symptoms because impaired methylation affects over 300 enzymatic reactions and gene expression.

Partially SupportedMethyl groups act as a crucial currency in the body, facilitating over 300 methylation reactions.

Partially SupportedThe gene PEMT is involved in phosphatidylcholine formation and can be negatively impacted, but adequate nutrient intake may mitigate this.

Partially SupportedMethylation is critical for regulating gene activity and plays a significant role in overall health.

Partially SupportedThe synthesis of phosphatidylcholine requires three SAMe molecules and produces homocysteine.

Partially SupportedThe body may dump excess SAMe through the GNMT gene to produce glutathione.

Partially SupportedSingle nucleotide polymorphisms can affect MTHFR gene function, leading to reduced conversion of folate to L-methylfolate.

Partially SupportedSingle nucleotide polymorphisms affect gene function and contribute to individual genetic differences.

Not SupportedSupplements are intended to 'add to or enhance' and should not be used to compensate for a poor diet or unhealthy lifestyle.

Partially SupportedHeterozygous means inheriting one variant of a gene from one parent, which differs from the standard population but is not necessarily a mutation.

Partially SupportedHomozygous means inheriting a gene variant from both parents, which differs from the standard population and can sometimes be detrimental.

Partially SupportedThe MTHFR gene has approximately 20,000 DNA bases, and a common variation occurs at position 677 where cytosine can be replaced by thymine.

Partially SupportedGenes function as tools in the body, with approximately 18,000 to 20,000 different genes performing various physiological functions.

Partially SupportedMethionine is a marker of longevity, but high intake from protein or meat increases cardiovascular disease risk.

Partially SupportedVariations in the MTHFR gene can alter enzyme shape and function, affecting riboflavin binding.

Partially SupportedHigh histamine levels from wine and cheese can cause symptoms like runny nose, irritability, and sleep difficulties, and require methylation for elimination.

Partially SupportedA diet devoid of methyl groups for approximately two weeks can disrupt the methylation system, leading to inappropriate gene activation and increased cancer risk.

Partially SupportedThe enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) processes histamine and is connected with methylation.

Partially SupportedInsufficient glycine may cause adverse reactions to methyl donors like methylfolate.

Partially SupportedSunflower-based phosphatidylcholine supplements are preferable to soy-based ones due to concerns about hexane solvent, GMOs, and Roundup residue.

Partially SupportedA well-constructed diet may eliminate the need for addressing issues related to genes and methylation cycles.

Partially SupportedSupplements should enhance a healthy lifestyle, not compensate for a poor diet or lifestyle.

Partially SupportedConsuming liver is an effective way to absorb nutrients without interference from anti-nutrients.

Partially SupportedSoy-based phosphatidylcholine capsules can have a noticeable solvent taste due to hexane.

Partially SupportedRecycling homocysteine requires adequate folate, vitamin B12, choline, or vitamin B6.

Partially SupportedLiver is a significant source of preformed L-methylfolate.

Partially SupportedImpaired methylation can contribute to sleep onset difficulties and poor deep sleep quality.

Partially SupportedLabs like Doctors Data can measure the SAM/SAH methylation ratio.