Full Description
This test is useful for
- Autism
- Birth Defects
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Detoxification Impairment
- Down Syndrome
- General Health and Longevity
- Genetic Disorders
- Immune Dysfunction
- Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Nutritional Deficiencies
- Psychiatric Disorders
For More Details:
Please contact us at (714) 864-3730 or pe@anti-fragilityhealth.com to order your test.
Nutritional Status
Proper nutritional intake is essential to overall health and provides the raw materials the body needs to function in the form of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Nutritional testing from Doctor's Data can give you a clear view into nutritional status. Carbohydrates are broken down into sugars and used as energy. Protein is broken down into individual amino acids and used to build and repair muscles, the immune and nervous systems, hormones and organs. The body requires fats which function within the membranes that surround all the body’s cells and are needed to signal hormones. Vitamins and minerals typically function as co-enzymes and have protective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
The typical Western diet contains too many carbohydrates and saturated fats, and is often low in nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Poor dietary choices can cause nutritional deficiencies and imbalances which may require dietary changes or nutritional supplementation.
Doctor's Data offers a wide range of nutritional testing profiles used to assess nutritional status and to monitor patient response to nutritional interventions.
Detailed Information
Normal methionine metabolism is absolutely critical for methylation, transsulfuration and folate-dependent transmethylation. Abnormal metabolism of methionine can be found in anyone at any age. It is usually associated with genetic or nutritional deficiencies, aging and exposures to environmental toxicants. For example, lead can inhibit methyltransferase enzymes and transmethylation of homocysteine via inhibition of the enzyme methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR).
Conditions associated with untreated, aberrant methionine metabolism include, but are not limited to:
- Abnormal neurotransmitter metabolism and psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Autism
- Dysregulation of nitric acid homeostasis
- Oxidative stress
- Global under-methylation, synthesis and repair of DNA
- Immune dysregulation/autoimmunity
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Congenital heart disease and birth defects
- Impaired endogenous detoxification processes
- Increased risk for Down's syndrome
Methylation: Methionine is first enzymatically converted to S-adnosylmethionine (SAM), the principal methyl donor for methylation of DNA, RNA, protein, phospholipids, creatinine and neurotransmitters. S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) is generated as a product of all SAM-dependent methylation reactions and is hydrolyzed to homocysteine (Hcy) through a reversible reaction (AHCY). SAH is a potent inhibitor of all SAM-dependent methylation reactions. Efficient removal of Hcy is imperative to prevent accumulation of SAH.
Transmethylation: Hcy is normally primarily removed or recycled by remethylation to methionine through a series of reactions that require 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, B-12 and betaine to complete the normal methionine cycle. A low ratio of SAM to SAH is a sensitive indicator of under-methylation. Elevated plasma Hcy is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent research suggests that elevated SAH may be an even better predictor of risk for CVD.
Transsulfuration: Methionine > Homocysteine > Cysteine. The methionine transsulfuration pathway occurs primarily in the liver and kidneys, and diverts Hcy away from remethylation to methionine toward synthesis of conditionally essential amino acid cysteine, essential sulfate, taurine and glutathione. Homocysteine in the presence of serine and B6 is enzymatically converted to cystathionine and ultimately cysteine. Cysteine is the rate-limiting amino acid in the biosynthesis of quintessential glutathione (GSH). GSH is pivotal in the regulation of intracellular redox homeostasis, oxidative stress, immune function, DNA synthesis and repair, apoptosis and detoxification of metals and chemicals. The DDI Methylation Profile evaluates the plasma levels of methionine, cysteine, SAM, SAH, Hcy, and cystathionine, and provides the important "methylation index," a ration of SAM to SAH. The test results can facilitate appropriate individualized interventions to improve or normalize methionine metabolism and ameliorate or prevent adverse consequences associated with inadequate methylation and/or transsulfuration capacity.
Usage Directions
Before You Start:
Please read all of the directions, and familiarize yourself with the collection procedures. The results of this test are greatly dependant on proper specimen collection technique and are time sensitive.
Unless otherwise instructed by your physician, it is recommended that the blood specimen for this test be collected after an overnight fast. A fasting collection emphasizes metabolic problems and minimizes dietary influences. For 48 hours prior to the collection, discontinue taking dietary supplements containing methionine, cysteine, SAMe. Never discontinue prescription medications without first consulting your physician.
More Instructions: