Nutrigenomics, Methylation and RNA Based Nutrients

Nutrigenomics,
Methylation and RNA
Based Nutrients
Dr. Amy Yasko
Many factors influence our susceptibility to
disease. These include our stress load, our
environment and the toxins we absorb from it, the
total number of infectious agents we are exposed
to as well as our underlying genetic susceptibility
to these diseases. It is important in this day and
age to address all the contributing factors to these
multifactorial diseases
•Environmental
•Genetic
•Infectious
•Stress
DISEASE
Genetic Testing is a Way
to Evaluate the Genetic
Contribution of
Multifactorial Disease
Genetic screening should be the
wave of the future for both
alternative healthcare as well as
allopathic medicine
While 79% of Americans surveyed
responded that they would take a
genetic test to assess the risks of
inherited diseases, and 41% said they
had a family history of genetic or
inherited health problems, the reality
is that genetic testing is severely
under utilized.
FEAR
The lack of use of this powerful diagnostic
technology highlights the need for adequate
means to address the results of personalized
genetic testing. It is a travesty to have the ability
to specifically identify genetic weakness, yet
have this technology underutilized out of fear. It
points to a dire need for therapeutic technologies
that take advantage of this same genetic
information with an eye toward personalized
treatment or nutritional supplementation, rather
than simply personalized diagnosis. It is essential
that we take advantage of the strides that have
been made in the human genome project not only
to understand our underlying genetic
susceptibilities but also to successfully deal with
chronic health issues.
We need a way not only to diagnose
Genetic Susceptibility but also to way to
treat it
The beauty of nutrigenomic testing
is that it focuses on weaknesses in
known, characterized nutritional
pathways. Knowledge of these
pathways lends itself to providing
nutritional “bypasses” for genetic
mutations.
Nutrigenomics
Nutrigenomics integrates
concepts in molecular biology and
genomics to study the ability of
foods and nutritional supplements
to interact with genes to influence
our health and lower the genetic
risk component for multifactorial
disease.
Nutrigenomics
According to the National Center of Excellence in Nutritional Genomics at UC Davis,
“The
science of nutrigenomics seeks to provide a
molecular understanding for how common dietary
chemicals (i.e., nutrition) affect health by altering the
expression and/or structure of an individual’s genetic
makeup. Just as pharmacogenomics has led to the
concept of “personalized medicine” and “designer
drugs”, so will the new field of nutrigenomics open the
way for “personalized nutrition.” In other words, by
understanding our nutritional needs, our nutritional
status, and our genotype, nutrigenomics should enable
individuals to manage better their health and wellbeing by precisely matching their diets with their
unique genetic makeup.”
Genetic Testing
as a Way to
Evaluate the
Genetic
Contribution of
Multifactorial
Disease.
Custom
nutrigenomic
test for
methylation
cycle.
Economy Basic SNP Panel II
gene
name
amino acid
change
result
CBS
Y233Y
(C699T)
++ OR +OR - -
COMT
V158M
++ OR +OR - -
MTR
A919G
(A2756G)
++ OR +OR - -
MTRR
A919G
(A66G)
++ OR +OR - -
MTHFR
E429A
(A1298C)
++ OR +OR - -
MTHFR
A222V
(C677T)
++ OR +OR - -
NOS
D298E
++ OR +OR - -
VDR
Bsm
++ OR +OR - -
VDR
Fok
++ OR +OR - -
ACE
Del 16
Deletion/no
deletion
The methylation cycle is the ideal pathway to
focus on for nutrigenomic analysis and
supplementation because the function of this
pathway is essential for a number of critical
reactions in the body.
As a consequence, genetic weaknesses
(mutations) in this pathway are risk factors for
a number of serious health conditions including
heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, MS,
Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, Parkinson’s disease,
Huntington’s disease, CFS/FM, mitochondrial
disease, SLE, neural tube defects,
miscarriages, Down’s syndrome, bipolar
disorder, schizophrenia, repair of tissue
damage, proper immune function, the aging
process as well as autism.
Importance of the Methylation Cycle
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Methylation and Nucleic Acid Synthesis
DNA Methylation
Methylation, Pregnancy and Neural Tube Defects
Methylation and Heart Disease
Methylation and Energy Production
Methylation and ADD
Protein Methylation
Methylation and Myelin
Methylation and the Immune System
Methylation and Cancer
Methylation and Allergic Reactions
Methylation and Anesthesia
Methylation and Environmental Toxins
Methylation and Aging
• Methylation Affects Both Nature and Nurture
Methylation
Methyl groups – CH3
H
H
C
H
Bound to DNA, enzymes, vitamins
Methylation and Detoxification
Work Together
Methylation Cycle Supplementation is important
on its own as well as in conjunction with other
therapies.
Supplementation based
on nutrigenomic analysis
allows us to bypass these
mutations and restore the
function of the
“revolving door”
CBS C699T Example
Specifics of other methylation
cycle mutations at the
workshop
CBS
Ammonia and
creatinine levels
as a function of
addressing CBS
C699T mutations
Specimen Marker
Before Low
Protein/Ammonia Support
RNA
After Low
Protein/Ammonia
Support RNA
Reference Range
Ammonia Level
52,500
15,000
7,000-36,000uM
Taurine
3610
880
200-1000
Cysteine
35
20
15-54
Arginine
6.3
33
5-35
Homocysteine
1.6
2.5
<3
Sarcosine
7.9
5
<5
Beta alanine
160
28
<10
Carnosine
320
25
<100
GABA
<dl
2.5
<5
Ornithine
3.2
15
1.5-20
• Value of nutrigenomic testing in
determining supplementation.
• Not all cases of elevated ammonia
reflect CBS C699T up regulation
mutations
• Examples
• Comparison with CBS
upregulation with inadequate
supplementation
• Value of genetic testing for
appropriate supplementation
Additional Resources
Specific information about supplements can be obtained at
www.holisticheal.com
Dr. Amy’s personal website is www.holistichealth.com
Dr. Amy answers questions at www.autismanswer.com
Videos/DVDs that are divided by topic:
Glutamate and Gaba
Neurological Inflammation, Video or DVD
Virus, Metals, Methylation
Austin Conference, November 2004 DVD
Phoenix Conference, April 2005 DVD
Factors Contributing to Autism
Putting It All Together Parents Weekend, Video or DVD
Boston Conference, August 2004 DVD
The Puzzle of Autism, book
Dr. Amy’s Supplement Video
Autism Educational Starter Package
RNA
Boston Conference, August 2004, DVD
Phoenix Conference, April 2005, DVD
Heal Your Body Naturally, book
RNA Educational Starter Package