You may have heard about methylation but not really understood what it was. In simplest terms methylation is the donation of a methyl group (CH3) to a molecule to activate it. It is the second most common reaction in our body, occurring in almost every cell. It is a major metabolic process with enormous importance, from gene expression, neurotransmitter
production, mood, detoxification and cardiovascular function.
When my son Wesley was born, he had bad colic and would cry nonstop. Fortunately, we made it through with the help of homeopathy. Then as he got older, we noticed we could never wake him from a nap without a fight. Forget trying to discipline him, he would throw things and talk back on a regular basis. As parents this was hard on us. We never experienced this with our first son.
After training with Dr. Walsh, I learned that undermethylation presents in kiddos as oppositional defiant disorder. Was there a rational for my son’s behavior or was he just an ornery kid? I decided to test him starting with basic blood work to look at his zinc/copper ratio and sure enough he had high copper and low zinc. Next, I checked him for pyrroles which was negative. I ran a stool test to balance his gut and immune system and lastly, I ran a methylation panel that showed he was severely under methylating. Under methylation in adults presents with sign and symptoms of anxiety, depression, OCD, anger/irritability, competitive, perfectionistic, high achievers, addictive behaviors and seasonal allergies. However, in kids it often presents as defiant behavior. Wesley had the symptoms and now the labs that matched.
I started treatment right away and within only a few weeks we noticed overall his mood improved, the anger outburst are few and far between instead of daily, the talking back has almost completely stopped, he no longer throws things, and he has been using his manners saying please and thank you. We can wake him from a nap without a total melt down and even his sleep is better. He is no longer restless at night as he used to toss and turn all night often keeping me up and now, I don’t even notice him in bed. The transformation has literally been night and day, and we are only a few weeks in. In his case, treatment consists of only 2 supplements and dietary adjustments. Wesley has always been one for junk food, craving breads, pasta or anything sweet. After starting him on his regimen, we noticed he also stopped craving and asking for these foods. Today Wesley is the bright, fun loving 3-year-old he was meant to be and just in time to start school.
If you think your child suffers from defiant disorder and are interested in getting him/her tested for methylation issues, please contact Dr. Hujer at Renaissance Health Centre.