Nutrition and Mental Health Part6 — Micronutrients and DNA

Let’s delve a bit into our body biochemistry and DNA activity, once more. Our body is transferring methyl groups to our DNA, this being a vital action meant to regulate gene expression, billion times every second. Let me explain this phrase, as understanding this phrase alone is one of the keys to a healthy happy life. Gene expression is the process by which the information encoded in a gene is used to direct the assembly of a chemical, such as a protein (our equivalent of the “Avengers, assemble!”). A methyl group is made of one carbon atom and three hydrogen ones. This process of adding or subtracting a methyl group is called methylation.

The methylation process can help repair any damage to our DNA, and cell membranes, and also regulate our hormones. But adding or taking off methyl groups to our DNA needs micronutrients. This role played by micronutrients moderating our genes is called epigenetics. We may not be able to choose our genetic makeup, but we can shape some of the environmental factors that lead to epigenetic changes to our DNA.

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To prove our hypothesis, we will discuss a specific question: how is possible that only one female bee will develop completely differently from all others and become a queen bee? Honey bee society is complex, and all the workers…