Recently you may have heard the incredible Gary Brecka, a human biologist speaking on the Joe Rogan Podcast about methylation and in particular about TMG or Trimethylglycine. This is one of my personal favourites for supporting the methylation process which is going on literally billions of times each day in your cells and enabling you well....to live and function.

Trimethylglycine (TMG):

Trimethylglycine (TMG), also known as betaine, is a compound that plays a role in the methylation cycle, a series of biochemical reactions involving the transfer of methyl groups (CH3) within the body. 

The methylation cycle is important for various physiological processes, including the synthesis of DNA, detoxification, neurotransmitter production, and more. 

Here is a brief overview of how trimethylglycine contributes to the methylation cycle:

• Methionine Synthesis: Trimethylglycine is involved in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine. Homocysteine is an intermediate product in the methylation cycle, and its conversion to methionine is a key step. Methionine is an essential amino acid that serves as a precursor for various molecules, including S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), which is a critical methyl donor.

• Methyl Donor: The methylation cycle produces S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), which serves as a universal methyl donor in the body. SAM can donate its methyl group to various substrates, participating in reactions that are crucial for the regulation of gene expression, neurotransmitter synthesis, and the metabolism of hormones and certain nutrients.

• Homocysteine Regulation: By contributing to the conversion of homocysteine to methionine, trimethylglycine helps regulate homocysteine levels. Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk, and the methylation cycle, with the help of trimethylglycine, plays a role in maintaining the balance of homocysteine in the body.

• Detoxification: Methylation reactions are also involved in detoxification processes in the liver. Trimethylglycine contributes to the methylation of various compounds, aiding in their conversion to less toxic forms for elimination.

In summary, trimethylglycine is a methyl donor that participates in the methylation cycle, helping to regulate homocysteine levels, support methionine synthesis, and contribute to various methylation reactions critical for cellular functions. Proper functioning of the methylation cycle is essential for overall health, and nutrients like trimethylglycine play a role in maintaining its integrity.

Also if you are taking NMN another one of our very popular supplements then supporting your methylation becomes even more important as NMN can use up methyl groups so adding this to your anti-aging regime is key.

You may also want to add Quercetin which inhibits an enzyme called CD38 which increases when we have a large senescent cell burden in the body which can happen more and more as we age or after illness. CD38 uses up the NAD (NMN is a precursor for NAD) in our bodies. So this is a great combination to take together for those interested in more energy, longevity, health optimisation!

You may have also heard Gary Brecka talk about genetic testing?

I have been a huge fan of genetic testing for the past 9 years. It changed my life and that of my family and many of the people that I work with. 

Once in your life you should get a good genetic test done so you can understand what genetics you were born with and how to optimise your diet, lifestyle, environment and habits, sports, sleep etc to make those genes sing. 

Gary talked about the importance of understanding your methylation genetics and I agree this can be game changing. 

But we can glean much much more than just methylation information.

Our functional reports are designed for action with insights not offered in traditional genetic testing. 

We use "The DNA Company" for our genetic testing and they provide 36 reports covering dozens of genes across all the major systems of our body - how we process hormones, to neurotransmitters, to our detoxification genes to immunity to our sleep and circadian rhythms to how we utilise foods and what suits us best, to what types of exercise we will respond best to to what times of the day to do what.

Genetics are just the blue print. They are not your destiny. They load the gun but it's the environment you put those genes in that pulls the trigger, so there is no need to fear learning about your genes, its empowering just to know what environment will suit you specifically.

The cool thing is once you have this information - you have it for life!

Now there are 23,000 odd genes and not all are covered in these reports but the ones that are most researched and understood and the ones that have the biggest impact are included and that is what counts.

If you are interested in getting your DNA test done. Read about it here and buy your kit online which includes an interpretation consult with Lisa.