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www.theconnectionsnj.com
Health and Wellness
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HOURS: Wed. & Thurs. 10am-8pm Fri. 10am-6pm Sat. 9am-4pm 293 Springfield Avenue • Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922 908-464-8668 Like us on Facebook - Follow us on Instagram PREVENTION & TREATMENT OF DIGESTIVE DISEASES: • Abdominal Pain Evaluation • Acid Reflux & Ulcer Treatment • Liver Disease Treatment & Evaluating • Colon Cancer Screening • Gastrointestinal Bleeding Management • Hemorrhoid & Fissure Treatment • Irritable Bowel Syndrome • Ulcerative Colitis & Crohn’s Disease • Gallstones & Gall Bladder Disease • Pancreatic Diseases 25 Monroe Street Bridgewater, NJ (908) 231-1999 203 Towne Centre Dr. Hillsborough, NJ (908) 359-1639 1140 Stelton Rd., Suite 101 Piscataway, NJ (732) 339-8810 Stephen R. Shapiro, M.D. Jeffrey S. Unger, M.D. Surya P. Irakam, M.D., FACP, FACG Robert S. Wiesen, M.D. We specialize in Gastroenterology, which is the treatment of diseases and disorders of the digestive system or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. NUTRIGENOMICS AND METHYL CYCLE MUTATIONS By: Lakshmi Prasad M.D. Metabolic Wellness & Longevity Institute A person’s state of health arises from the dynamic interaction of environ- mental factors with his or her genet- ic uniqueness. These factors can pos- itively or negatively impact the extent to which people will realize their genetic potential. It has been demonstrated that nutri- tional factors have a major influence on healthy gene expressions, known as Nutrigenomics. Its influence on protein synthesis is known as Proteonomics and on metabolism as Metabolonomics. As a result, a new patient-centered healthcare is emerging that relies upon nutrition and other modifiable lifestyle factors to help people achieve optimal genetic expression. Diseases should be analyzed and treated as a combination of lifestyle, environment and heredity. Yes, smoking eventually causes lung dis- ease. But, some people smoke and get lung disease at an early age, some only at an older age, and some seem to be able to get away with smoking all the way to their nineties. What causes Diabetes in an individ- ual? Is it overeating or bad genes? Genetics certainly isn’t the only fac- tor in diseases. A hundred years ago, Diabetes was much less of a problem and in the past century human genes haven’t changed much. What has changed however, are eating habits, physical activity and the environment we live in. (Berger, E. Houston Chron- icle). We are all exposed to multiple toxins and live in the same general environment, but only some of us get heart disease and cancer – Why? It is probably our genotype, specifi- cally the status of the genes making up our Methyl Cycle that renders us more, or less susceptible to environ- mental influences. The term ‘Methyl group’ refers to CH3. One carbon atom attached to 3 hydrogen atoms. The enzymes of the Methyl cycle add or subtract a methyl group from another molecule to open or close biochemical pathways, to open DNA when it should be read and to close it when it would not be in our interest to decode a gene. We need Methyl groups to silence viral DNA, defend against other microbes and environmental toxins. People with certain methyl cycle defects are more prone to manifesting diseases. These could include Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, and multiple chemi- cal sensitivities. Diseases seen more commonly in the older population, like Dementia, Parkinson’s, coronary disease etcetera, can present at an earlier age. So disease can be seen as a combination of lifestyle, environ- ment and Methyl Cycle Genomic defects. There are many combinations of Methyl cycle Mutations that can occur in a person. To name a few, Methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T, A1298C), Methion- ine Synthase Reductase (MTRR), Cys- teine Beta Synthase (CBS), Catechol- O-methyl Transferase (COMT) etc. As an example of a treatment protocol, a person who has a C677T mutation should be on Methylfolate, but the dosage of Methylfolate may vary based on other concomitant muta- tions. A person with a CBS up regu- lation needs to be careful about using medications with Sulphur and should minimize sulfur rich food like wine, dried fruits, bottled juices etc. While a person’s genetic susceptibili- ty cannot be changed, a physician who specializes in Nutrigenomics can look at the Methyl cycle analysis and recommend nutritional supplemen- tation and lifestyle modification per- sonalized to your genetic profile. Judicious use of nutrition and supple- ments can help bypass underlying genetic weaknesses, lower your risk factors and achieve optimal health.