God designed us in an amazing way
The body’s biochemistry is amazing, Science reveals more and more The role nutrition plays in this.
In thinking about this, let’s start with the mysterious world of methylation. Billions of times per second, our bodies transport methyl groups to DNA. They are composed of three hydrogen atoms and one carbon atom.they are involved in the so-called epigenetics, is the expression of each gene. Although the genetic code appears immutable, the expression of the genes themselves is highly malleable.
Consider the example of a dimmer switch that can change the brightness of a light. Similarly, the expression of a particular gene (and how it affects our function and development) can be greatly altered by the environment, and nutrition plays an important role in modifying this gene. seems to be fulfilling.
Methylation is important for gene expression for multiple reasons. It can repair the “wear and tear” that occurs in DNA while repairing cell membrane damage. It also helps regulate hormones. This is especially important because our bodies are exposed to a myriad of toxins that we cannot detect or prevent in our environment. It’s one of the main ways to protect your body. However, research has shown that many vitamins and minerals (called micronutrients) are required to make this process as effective as possible.
While methylation occurs at an alarming rate, the body is also continuously involved in brain metabolism. Simply put, metabolism is the transformation of one compound into another. This article discusses how chemicals in food are converted into neurotransmitters, chemicals released between neurons in the brain. and all basic (and complex) functions of the body can occur.
Enzymes are needed to convert chemicals in food into neurotransmitters during brain metabolism. However, these enzymes rely on various cofactors composed of vitamins and minerals. For example, how the amino acid tryptophan (found in foods such as turkey, chicken, and milk) is converted to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is closely related to mood, learning, sleep, memory, and many other functions. Let’s take a look at just a small fraction of chemical pathways (i.e., a few metabolic steps out of a thousand): More than 10 Micronutrients are used in this process. Without an adequate supply of these and many other micronutrients as cofactors, this enzymatic conversion is impaired. It is known to affect the availability of serotonin and other neurotransmitters.
Finally, while methylation and metabolism continue, another mysterious process involving mitochondrial function is underway. In addition to producing chemicals that fight chronic inflammation, mitochondria are perhaps best known as the “energy factories” of our cells. Produces ATP (adenosine triphosphate), an energy molecule essential to existence. However, like the other two processes discussed, this important function is nutrient dependent, requiring many vitamins and minerals for this to occur.
What science has revealed is that the divine design of our minds and bodies relies on nutrition for many of its most basic processes. We usually function well, just as vehicles operate optimally when micronutrients are used. It is clear that these processes are impaired and the risk of physical and psychological problems is greatly increased.
Unfortunately, much of what we eat today, especially in the United States, doesn’t have enough nutrients. Recent research They found that 67% of the calories young people consume from food comes from ultra-processed foods with little or no micronutrients. Given that the bodies and minds of our young people are constantly developing, rates of childhood physical ailments such as type 2 diabetes and obesity, as well as psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety, are increasing. It is not surprising that critical proportions have been reached and suicides.As Dr. Bonnie Kaplan says, “A starving brain is causing a mental health crisis.”
God designed us in amazing ways, and the many gifts we have been given involve ongoing processes beyond our control. It requires us to be joint partners in the way the process works. our faith We’ve long contributed the wisdom and practices that support this collaboration, but as often happens, we failed to pay attention to his ways and got lost. Truly we are what we eat and we become what we eat.
