Sunday, February 19, 2012

Histadelia and Methylation. Part IIB. Oxidative stress, Glutathione and B12.

Even if methyl folate is available, that methyl cannot always be used to form methyl B12, as either glutathione or B12 may be unavailable.


Glutathione (GSH) acts to:

1 Increase B12 availability. Glutathione normally protects B12, which is highly reactive, from being diverted* by reacting with free radicals, toxins, immune or stress molecules, etc.
GSH also, as a critical antioxidant and detox agent, and metal metabolism activator, reduces the levels of such toxins.
* Suggested by elevated methylmalonic acid. 

2 Turn hydroxy B12 into glutathionyl-B12, an intermediate step toward methyl-B12 formation.
Thus, low glutathione decreases the transfers of methyl from methyl-folate (5MHTF) to B12, and so fosters methyl folate accumulation.

3 Stimulate methionine synthase to create methionine.
When glutathione levels are too low, the methylation cycle slows. Thus:
Homocysteine  --via methyl folate +  B12 +  low GSH--  will not yield much methionine
Instead, homocysteine will be be diverted down the transulfuration pathway, to create more glutathione. More on this in a future post.

4 Protect all cells from oxidative stress, including the mitochondria, which supply cellular energy (by creating ATP). 

Glutathione can be low* due to
1 Genetic problems in creating or recycling glutathione.
2 High demand, e.g., ongoing oxidative stress. Also, chemical or heavy metal toxicity, infections, vaccinations, chronic stress, injury or surgery.
* Suggested by decreased SAM and accumulation of SAH and oxidized glutathione, as well as other measures of oxidative stress.

Therapeutic Considerations (Walsh)
Glutathione to support B12 availability, to attach methyl to B12, and to stimulate methionine formation.
Plus, in some cases, methyl-B12 may need to be supplied directly.
Glutathione and other needed antioxidants. Elimination of factors worsening oxidative stress.
Attention to any metal metabolism dysfunction, toxicity, relevant health issues, other mental and physical stressors.

More on glutathione:
Dr. Mark Hyman's video.
Also, this youtube.  (A good presentation, but ignore the marketing.)

Reminder: This information is presented for educational purposes only, and is not intended as diagnosis or treatment recommendations for the individual. Even within the histadelic subgroup, each person's biochemical requirements tend to be unique. So if you need treatment for depression, mania, bipolar, or any other medical condition, please consult a knowledgeable physician. 

For more info on histadelia and bipolar disorder, see my book, Natural Healing for Bipolar Disorder

1 comment:

  1. Yes, methyl-B12 was great for my dizziness which suits for Postural Phobic Dizziness symptomatically. It may take about a half of a year to make the full advantage, but first signs I got in a week on 1000mcg. Now I use Jarrow methylcobalamine 5000 mcg - sublingual - one time in 2 days. Also, when buying the book, I used acetyl l carnitine, coenzyme q10, and some other antioxes. Then SAMe. It worked greaaaat for my heart and ATP. Very quickly as mentioned. But someone may need up to 800 mg. I used 200-400 mg. In spring and summer I used herbs and some sport tricks like climbing a river side and kettlebells (yeah, Pavel Tsatsouline - it's a shame to know about them now in book for Americans being Russian - we don't love Habad SERVANT PuKin!) Rhodiola Rosea costs 1 dollar here and it's very good for me. THerbs need cycling. Tongkat Ali is the best for me. Methyl-b12 can help even with uterine bleeding in myomas and sarcomas. Yeah. Thank You, Eva. You do much much needed things for western or eastern people.

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