Hi all,
I subscribe to Dr. Jernigan's e-mails which are very interesting and also free! Anyway, below is an interesting article. I can't put a link in because it was in e-mail format (warning: very long).
Reasons for Impaired Detoxification by Dr. David A.
Jernigan
There is a huge movement in the chronic illness arena
revolving around finding and taking fistfuls of supplements to address the 40
different types of MTHFR gene mutations. MTHFR is short for
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, an enzyme in the body that is responsible
for helping your body break down and metabolize proteins correctly.
When you eat protein, your digestive processes need
enzymes like MTHFR in order to break the protein down into various amino-acids.
One of these amino-acids is a rather large one called Methionine, which breaks
down into Homocysteine, which can breakdown further into Cysteine and Taurine,
which both go on to feed the brain.
The problem in the chronically ill person seems to be
that there are about 40 different ways the MTHFR-enzyme gene is not expressing
correctly. This makes the amino-acid
called Homocysteine to not be able to convert to Methionine correctly.
As a molecule, Homocysteine is like slivers of glass.
Normally your body should instantly convert Homocysteine into Cysteine and
Taurine, or go back to Methionine. With MTHFR problems your body cannot get the
Homocysteine to convert, and therefore it accumulates in the body.
As you can imagine it is not a good thing to have slivers
of glass, even small slivers, streaming through your body. Massive irritation
of the tissues happen as the Homocysteine molecules slice their way through your
blood vessels and organs.
Almost all chronically ill people, whatever the
diagnosis, have problems from high Homocysteine. that is most often
undetectable with blood tests. The multitude of symptoms that can be set up
from this one situation has led conventional doctors to place people on
handfuls of complex vitamin combinations.
Before you go running out to have your genes tested for
this problem, remember this: taking vitamins and supplements to respond to the
changes caused by this gene mutation is only going to treat the symptoms, which
can make you feel better, but will not fix the root problem, the epigenetic
expression and genetic mutations that are causing the issues.
That is what our doctors are working on, addressing the
causes, not just reacting to the downstream symptoms with a lifetime of
supplements.
There are two ways to deal with any genetic mutation,
such as MTHFR or CBS. One way is to take many nutritional supplements to
compensate for the downstream problems. This way will not normally lead to
anything more than improvement of the symptoms.
The other way is to enable the body to spontaneously
correct the gene mutation or at least modify the expression of the gene/SNP
resulting in the complete restoration of health.
The clinical application of both of these at the same
time is the best strategy.
J. Bertran reports that, "Mutations result from
unrepaired damage to DNA or to RNA genomes (typically caused by radiation or
chemical mutagens)."
So where are mutagens coming from in our daily life? Dr.
William Hirzy, an officer in the EPA explains: "Fluoride is a
broad-spectrum mutagen. It can cause genetic damage in both plant and animal
cells."
X-rays and other forms of non-ionizing radiation are
mutagens that have access to the genetic molecules of every internal organ.
Processed foods are loaded with mutagens. Personal care
products like most of your non-organic soaps, shampoo, and
deodorant/antiperspirants are loaded up with mutagens. Non-organic produce is a
big source of mutagens that can unzip and mutate genetic material with the
loads of pesticides, herbacides, and fungicides that are not just on the
surface of the produce, but have been shown to penetrate the entire fruit or
vegetable.
So a big part of healing from genetic mutation problems,
such as MTHFR and CBS, is to STOP EATING AND USING MUTAGENS! No excuses! You
cannot continue using your favorite shampoo, lotions, deodorant, etc., and eat
garbage food and expect to not have problems eventually.
Regarding personal care products, if you would not eat
it, then you definitely should not put it on your skin. Those chemicals will
absorb into your body, and circulate around the body in higher concentrations
than had you eaten them, as had you eaten them, the stomach acid would have destroyed
some of the chemicals.
Stay tuned for our next issue for more on our quest to
facilitate the body's ability to repair the mutations!