Methyl Donors Reduce Genetic Damage and Cancer Cells

Methyl donors are beneficial category of nutrients that supply CH₃ group also known as methyl group. This process is known as methylation. Methylation is a very important process for fat metabolism, neurological functioning and maintenance of DNA integrity. Examples of methyl group donors are methionine, betaine, trimethylglycine, methylsulphonylmethane, S-adenosyl methionine etc.

Methyl donors are required for the process of DNA Methylation:

Our body contains trillions of cells with their own intelligence machinery. Cell being a basic structural part of tissues and organs, itself is very complex to understand. Cell’s main centre is known as nucleus. Nucleus consists of genetic machinery such as DNA, RNA and other important entities. DNA replicates itself, and forms RNA. RNA comes out of the nucleus and synthesizes proteins. These proteins are then sent to various parts of the body for carrying out their functions. Small part of DNA carrying piece of information is called as gene. Any mutations in the gene can cause damages in the DNA and thereby affect cellular health. Gene mutations lead to conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and other conditions. Genetic mutations may also arise if there is inadequate DNA methylation. It has also been researched that DNA methylation can prevent the expression of harmful genes. Thus methyl donors play an important role in DNA methylation. 

Process of DNA Methylation:

DNA methylation is an important process for normal development of the body. It is important in protecting the body from processes such as carcinogenesis and aging. DNA methylation involves addition of methyl group to DNA. Addition of methyl group is done by methyl donors such as methionine, choline etc. In simple words, DNA requires something to protect itself from aging and mutations. So it has its helper methyl donor, who donates its methyl group to DNA. So both DNA and methyl group act like friends. DNA is the friend in need and methyl donor is the friend in deed. Both are important to protect the cell from undergoing aging and carcinogenesis. Any alterations or improper DNA methylation can result into carcinogenesis. As human body starts aging, its DNA methylation capacity is lost.  

Methyl donors protect from cancer and genetic damage:

DNA methylation plays an important role in gene regulation. DNA methylation is important in maintaining genomic stability.  

Hypomethylation: When there are very less methyl donors available for methylation, there is very low level of DNA methylation. This condition is known as hypomethylation. This can cause cancer.  Low level of methylation can occur because there are very few methyl donors in the body or the body has started the process of aging. The only solution to hypomethylation is to supply with methyl donors such as methionine, choline, folate and vitamin B 12. These methyl donors are abundantly found in green leafy vegetables such spinach, kale and broccoli.

SAMe is an important methyl donor for DNA methylation and is considered to be the primary methyl donor. Moreover dietary folate also plays an important role in DNA methylation. Deficiency of such methyl donors or inadequacy of nutrients that are responsible for synthesis of methyl donors such as SAMe, may largely affect the process of DNA methylation, and may develop phenotypes with increased disease risk.
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Disclaimer: This blog contains general information and does not offer any medical advice. The information shared on this blog is not a substitute to professional medical advice and thus you may seek guidance from a medical practitioner.

Calcium Orotate and Bone Health

 Bones play a crucial role in providing structure and protection to the body. They help to anchor muscles and store calcium. Bones keep changing as per the requirement. New bones get formed when old bones get broken down. A process called ossification, also known as bone formation, involves the formation of new bones. Important bone minerals include calcium, phosphate, and magnesium. 

When we are young, our body quickly adapts to changes. Bone formation occurs at a faster rate. But as we age, bone breakdown starts exceeding bone formation. It sometimes results in bone loss and other complications. As bone remodeling continues, you may lose slightly more bone mass. Bone health is mainly dependent on how well the calcium gets absorbed. It also depends on the number of minerals in the bones that decide your bone mineral density. 

Bone Health and Calcium:

Bone health is mainly affected by calcium, vitamin D. medications, hormones, age, and physical activity. The strength of the bones is mainly gets reflected in bone mineral density. It decides the calcium content of the bone. Calcium is the most important mineral required for bone health. It makes 1.5-2% of the body weight and exists in the form of free-dissolved calcium ions in the blood. It constitutes up to 99% of hard tissues such as bones and teeth. Other minerals present in the bones are phosphorus and magnesium. Magnesium is an important mineral that participates in many enzymatic reactions and supports muscle relaxation. Calcium and inorganic phosphate constitute the bone mineral hydroxyapatite and strengthen the bone. During pregnancy, adolescence, and old age, calcium needs are higher. A deficiency of calcium results in various bone disorders such as osteoporosis and arthritis. Various types of calcium supplements are available in the market. Calcium carbonate, calcium citrate malate, calcium rotate, and calcium aspartate are commonly available in different brands. Out of all these calcium supplements, calcium orotate is best known for its absorption.

Bone Mineralisation and Remodelling:

Calcium depletion in the bone is a common cause of orthopedic complaints. No sooner the calcium gets depleted in the bone than the complication starts. Hence to protect the bone, our body has a natural cycle for remodeling bones. It is commonly known as the Bone remodeling cycle, which involves mainly two phases, bone resorption, and bone formation. Low calcium levels in the bone stimulate cells known as osteoclasts to attach to the bone. It occurs in the bone resorption phase. Osteoclasts release enzymes to liberate calcium. As a result, the bone gets depleted of calcium since all the calcium enters the bloodstream. Since the bone is depleted of calcium and is in a weakened state, it triggers repair and remodeling. Osteoblasts are activated to repair the damage that has happened to the bone. Calcium Orotate is a calcium salt of orotic acid, a mineral transporter. Orotic acid enables calcium gets deposited in the osteoblasts. Osteoblasts are structural cells that are specialized for bone remodeling. Osteoblasts thereby combine with calcium and strengthen the bone. Orotic acid is a part of the vitamin B complex. Orotate is known to take part in mineral transport and support electrolyte balance. Orotate can pass through the cell membrane and effectively distribute minerals such as calcium and magnesium throughout the body. 

Orotate as a mineral transporter:

Minerals require transporters to become bioavailable. Orotate acts as a mineral transporter. Thus it can efficiently transport mineral calcium to mitochondria and other intracellular structures and organelles. The main advantage of Orotate as a transporter of calcium is that Orotate delivers calcium to the desired site and does not allow hypercalcemia, which is a common complaint with other types of calcium supplements.

Passive diffusion:

Calcium Orotate is a stable electrically neutral salt. This complex of Orotate with calcium is lipophilic in nature. That is why; Calcium Orotate is easily taken up by the cell membrane, through passive diffusion. Once calcium Orotate enters the cell, it participates in various cellular pathways. In this way, calcium is transported into the cell. Orotate salts are relatively stable against dissociation. 

Inhibition of sister chromatid exchanges using green tea and chamomile

 Sister Chromatid Exchanges (SCE's) are an exchange of genetic material that usually happens between two sister chromatids. An excess number of SCE's detected per cell indicate cellular damage and cancer. It also indicates mutagenic effects in the cells. They are generally detected in many cytogenetic abnormalities and cancers.

A herb is a plant with a non-woody stem that withers and dies down after flowering. Herbs have been used since ancient times and have been known to have tremendous healing properties. There are many herbal remedies for abdominal pains, acidity, acne, arthritis, asthma, mental disorders, metabolic disorders, menstrual problems, etc. They have led scientists to develop numerous modern drugs as well.

Image: Green tea extract

Herbal Remedies:

1. Epigallocatechin-gallate: In some studies, SCE’s were induced using Nitrogen oxide (NOx) and the effect of certain polyphenols on SCE’s was observed. The major polyphenol constituents of green tea such as Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) AND Catechin (CT) were found to reduce the frequency of SCE induced by NOx. These polyphenols are scavengers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and show a positive effect. Several studies have demonstrated that EGCG leads to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of certain cancer cells. The chemoprotective effect of EGCG was studied by researchers in Korea. They examined SCE frequencies in peripheral blood lymphocytes of cigarette smokers and found elevated levels of SCE’s among smokers. But those smokers who consumed green tea infusion daily (2-3 cups per day) showed lower rates of SCE’s as compared to smokers who did not consume green tea.

2. Chamomile: Chamomile is the common name for Matricaria chamomilla several daisies like plants of the Asteraceae family. Different medical and pharmacological research studies have shown positive results of chamomile oil in the treatment of inflammations. Compounds present in chamomile oil having medicinal properties include bisabolol and its oxide, chamazulene, farnesene, germacrine, and sesquiterpenes. The chamomile essential oils have been shown to exhibit an inhibitory effect on the sister chromatid exchanges. The chamomile also exhibits an anti-mutagenic effect. Mutagenesis is a phenomenon in which an organism's DNA changes slightly due to mutation. 

Thus, in conclusion, we can say that medicinal plants have many phytochemical components which not only show their healing effect at the tissue or organ level but also at the chromosome level. Hence they can be used as preventive medicines without any post medication effects. Green tea and chamomile have shown their inhibitory effect on SCE’s (which are responsible for carcinogenesis). Prior consumption of such marvelous herbs can improvise our health. Thus herbs have preventive as well as curative properties.
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Disclaimer: This blog contains general information and does not offer any medical advice. The information shared on this blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice and thus you may seek guidance from a medical practitioner.

Health Benefits of Sunshine Vitamin

 Vitamin D is also known as the sunshine vitamin since its main source is sunshine. It is also obtained from milk & milk products, curd, fish, and eggs. The active form of vitamin D, 1-25 dihydroxycholecalciferol, regulates the synthesis of a calcium-binding protein that serves as a calcium carrier in the intestinal cell, transporting calcium across the intestinal cells for it to be released into the bloodstream. Several types of vitamin D include vitamin D 1to Vitamin D 5, however out of these 5 vitamin D, Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 are common. Less exposure to sunlight and lack of vitamin D leads to osteomalacia in children. It also leads to arthritis and other bone problems in adults. The presence of an active form of vitamin D can result in a 10-30% increase in calcium absorption.

Exposure to sunlight is a must:

Image: Sunshine vitamin

Due to a sedentary lifestyle, our way of working has become sedentary. We often leave for work in the morning and return home in the evening. Not even realizing that we have not taken enough sunlight, we are sitting on a chair for hours either watching the computers lying on our table or roaming in an air-conditioned room with all windows closed. Then how can we get enough sunlight? It depends on our practice to get exposed to sunlight every day. Sunlight is not only important for human health but also beneficial for the surroundings. It is said that all the rooms must be exposed to sunlight every day as it kills the bad bacteria and viruses in the rooms. Often in the offices, with packed rooms and switched air conditions, the windows are always closed and no sun’s rays enter the room. Plus the use of sunscreens out of fear of the sun has even more destroyed human life. Applying sunscreens and avoiding complete exposure to sunlight definitely spoils your overall health.

Why is vitamin D known as a sunshine vitamin?

Vitamin D is also known as the sunshine vitamin because sunlight is the main source for synthesizing vitamin D in the body. Human skin can synthesize a large amount of vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. When your bare skin is exposed to sunlight your body gets a boost to synthesize vitamin D. Mainly the sun’s ultraviolet UVB rays are helpful for synthesizing vitamin D. It requires only a few minutes’ exposures to the sun in order to synthesize vitamin D. In fact when your skin starts getting enough heat from sun’s exposure, it starts synthesizing 10,000 to 25, 000 I.U. vitamin D, which is enough for your day’s activity and biochemical functions in your body.

What about the bad stories of the sun’s UV rays?

Sun’s UV rays are not completely harmful. As already discussed exposure to the sun’s rays for a short period of time gives us Vitamin D. However too much exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause cancer. Moderate exposure to the sun is healthy however frequent and excessive exposure to the sun can trigger skin cancer. If you have been exposed to the sun for more than one hour or you tend to get the feeling of enough sun now! Then you can cover your exposed part with a cloth. If you have some problems facing the sun for long hours try using these natural sunscreen remedies.

Recommended dietary intake of vitamin D:

According to Vitamin D Council, vitamin D requirements are different in children and adults. The following table describes the required dose of vitamin D for children and adults:

Group of people	Vitamin D Council (Lower and upper limits respectively)
Infants	1000-2000 IU/ day
Children	1000-2000 IU/ day
Adults	5000-10,000 IU/ day

Other sources of obtaining vitamin D:

• Vitamin D supplements: There are a lot of vitamin D supplements available on the market. Check with your doctor and decide to go for vitamin D supplements. Make sure the dose is clear to you.

• Diet: Foods rich in vitamin D include milk and milk products, orange juice, and fortified cereals. If you prefer to eat non-veg food, fatty fish, beef liver and egg yolk are the right sources of vitamin D.

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Disclaimer: This blog contains general information and does not offer any medical advice. The information shared on this blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice and thus you may seek guidance from a medical practitioner.

Natural remedies for polycystic ovarian disease

Female reproductive system and PCOS:

The polycystic ovarian syndrome is a condition found in women in their reproductive years. They show altered levels of multiple hormones. They are known to produce more male sex hormones, also known as hyperandrogenism. Therefore, their bodies show typical signs of the presence of male sex hormones, leading to hirsutism (the development of mild facial hair), acne, and male-pattern baldness. Such women may have difficulty conceiving or have complications during childbirth. They may also have a risk of repeated abortions. Due to frequent hormonal imbalances in the body, affected women may have a higher risk of developing ovarian and uterine cancers. Polycystic ovaries show multiple small and immature cysts in the ovaries. These are usually immature follicles that do not develop into egg cells. PCOS also accompanies other conditions such as thyroid disease, obesity, insulin resistance or insulin sensitivity, diabetes, hypertension, mood disorders, and depression.

The causes behind PCOS are genetics and environmental factors, such as lifestyle. PCOS is associated with polymorphisms in genes. Genes that contribute to the increased production of androgens, luteinizing hormones, and anti-mullerian hormones play an important role in the development of PCOS. Various environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, smoking, pollution, stress, etc. affect the DNA and contribute to the risk of developing PCOS.

Natural remedies for managing PCOS:

• Cinnamon: Cinnamon is also known as Dalchini and is a common spice in India and Sri Lanka. It has a lot of medicinal properties. One spoonful of cinnamon mixed with hot milk helps to deal with infertility problems in females with PCOS. Weight gain is also associated with PCOS due to hormonal imbalance. Cinnamon tea is beneficial for losing weight. It is one of the most preferred ingredients in a weight-loss kit.
• MCT oil: MCT is also known as medium-chain triglycerides and is also found in coconut oil. Women with PCOS also experience hypothyroidism, and their metabolism becomes slower. MCT oil helps to manage weight and fastens your metabolism rate. It also helps optimize thyroid function. 1-2 teaspoons of MCT oil may help promote hair growth. PCOS women have complaints about hair fall. This problem can be solved by applying MCT oil to the hair twice or three times per week.
• Turmeric extract: Turmeric extract helps to regularise monthly periods. It will take time, but this remedy is marvelous for your monthly periods. The irregularity of periods is one of the most important signs of PCOS. One can apply turmeric paste to the skin to reduce the chances of hirsutism (facial hair growth in PCOS, commonly observed due to hormonal imbalance). Turmeric paste can be prepared by adding a tinge of turmeric to honey and a little bit of lemon juice. A thick paste can be made and applied to the face. This paste should be kept for half an hour and repeated 2-3 times per week. Facial hair growth reduces, and your skin will get a glow and feel fresher. Make sure you use only a little lemon.
• Amla juice: Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry, is a rich source of antioxidants and vitamin C. Amla juice is beneficial for promoting hair growth and also prevents hair fall. Drinking 30 to 40 ml of amla juice will be beneficial for women with PCOS.
• Evening primrose oil: Evening primrose oil helps to manage symptoms such as breast tenderness, premenstrual syndrome, irritability, depression, and acne. Evening primrose oil may help to deal with inflammation in arthritis. 1-2 grams of evening primrose oil per day are recommended. Do not exceed the dosage.

PCOS must be managed with proper nutrition and regular physical activity. Exercise and physical activity are a must since PCOS puts you at risk of becoming obese. Make sure you walk or run every day for at least half an hour, preferably in a pollution-free area. Walking ensures a better flow of blood and oxygen to your body. Do not discontinue the medications as prescribed by your doctor. The above remedies are to be followed along with your regular medication. However, before implementing any remedies, consult with your doctor. Allow yourself some time to recover after taking medications, and then continue with natural remedies.

Disclaimer: This blog contains general information and does not offer medical advice. The information shared on this blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, and you may seek guidance from a medical practitioner.

 

 

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