title: Consequences of dietary methyl donor supplements: Is more always better?
abstract: Epigenetic mechanisms are now recognized to play roles in disease etiology. Several diseases increasing in frequency are associated with altered DNA methylation. DNA methylation is accomplished through metabolism of methyl donors such as folate, vitamin B12, methionine, betaine (trimethylglycine), and choline. Increased intake of these compounds correlates with decreased neural tube defects, although this mechanism is not well understood. Consumption of these methyl donor pathway components has increased in recent years due to fortification of grains and high supplemental levels of these compounds (e.g. vitamins, energy drinks). Additionally, people with mutations in one of the enzymes that assists in the methyl donor pathway (5-MTHFR) are directed to consume higher amounts of methyl donors to compensate. Recent evidence suggests that high levels of methyl donor intake may also have detrimental effects. Individualized medicine may be necessary to determine the appropriate amounts of methyl donors to be consumed, particularly in women of child bearing age.
authors.affiliation: University of Florida School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry at the McKnight Brain Institute, 1149 Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
authors.forename: Kimberly R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Shorter
authors.affiliation: University of South Carolina, Department of Biological Sciences, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; Peromyscus Genetic Stock Center, University of South Carolina, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Felder
authors.affiliation: University of South Carolina, Department of Biological Sciences, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; Peromyscus Genetic Stock Center, University of South Carolina, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. Electronic address: pbvrana@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Paul B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Vrana
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004194:Disease / Q000235:genetics; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)
keywords: 5-MTHFR; DNA methylation; Dietary supplementation; Epigenetics; Folic acid