Post by beebs on Mar 4, 2012 6:27:23 GMT -5
New branches of science in regards to the importance of
chemical compounds in foods altering gene expression.
Journals of Ethnobiology, Ethnonutrition, Ethnomedicine
are revealing. In spite of the lack of Western science,
(only recently, did we "discover" compounds in apples
and apple seed for cardiac function), helpful to read up
on articles from the aforementioned journals.
Phytopherapy journals are a good source of understanding
pharmacology of chemical compounds in plants.
In contrast, Genomics, Nutrigenomix journals are limited
in terms of research, not much advancement.
Articles to start with, easy to read.
Some foods to help with methylation, look up GAPS diet, and
autistim forums.
Eating to Enhance One's Epigenome (DNA Methylation)
The epigenome is affected by environmental conditions. Food plays an important part in the enhancement of the epigenome. Choose correctly and live well.
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A diet of the proper foods affects the ability of the epigenome to control gene expression in the genome. Such expression (genes are either silent – turned off, or expressed – turned on) affects the health of the body. To achieve good health, detrimental genes are turned off and beneficial genes are turned on in specific sequences. The expression of beneficial genes is healthy for the body. The expression of detrimental genes results in diseases and other unhealthy conditions of the body.
DNA Methylation is one type of biochemical epigenetic function that affects cell function by altering gene expression. This is done by adding a methyl group (CH3) to the 5-carbon of cytosine in a CpG dinucleotide. There are several other similar types of modification: Phosphorylation (the adding of a phosphorous radical), Acetylation (the adding of an acetyl radical), Ubiquitination, and ADP ribosylation. These modification methods perform a function that either silences or allows expression of genes in the genome.
What is Methylation and Why is it Important?
There are several kinds of methylation: DNA methylation, histone methylation, and chromatin (CpG) methylation. DNA methylation, which is directed to occur at sites where a cytosine is followed by a guanidine (CpG sites) is used exclusively for silencing of nearby genes. Histones are the proteinaceous spindles in the nucleus around which DNA is wrapped. Depending on which amino acid is being methylated, histone methylation can cause both activation and/or repression of transcription, for nearby genes.
When an undifferentiated cell becomes committed to a particular cell type, methylation is used to silence the genes that are not needed, by using both DNA methylation and histone methylation processes. Methylation ensures that a cell is almost always uniquely defined. Methylation causes the expression of the genes needed through both histone methylation and acetylation. This is why methylation is important to cell differentiation. ( answers.yahoo.com "What is Methylation" accessed 15 May 2010).
Foods That Support Healthy Epigenome DNA Methylation
Eating a diet rich in foods from the following list aids the proper functioning of DNA Methylation of the genes in the genome. The control of gene expression (on or off) is accomplished by the epigenome. The DNA is not actually altered.
* Cruciferous vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, and bok choy.
* Foods rich in folic acid: (meat) liver, chicken giblets, kidney, egg yolk; (legumes) dried beans, lentils, split peas, soya products, almonds, nuts; (startches) wholegrain breads, wheat flour, potato, sweet potato; (fruits and vegetables) spinach, beetroot, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, bananas, oranges, peaches.
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lesabrams.suite101.com/eating-to-enhance-your-epigenome-dna-methylation-a237063