Dr. Walsh discusses methylation and its impact on DNA and gene regulation, emphasizing its role in various mental health conditions.

His work is differentiated from most research and theoretical application in his assessment of true methylation and the importance of considering the potentially deleterious effects of folic acid on undermethylated persons with mood disorders. Recent work of Dr Walsh has drawn attention to the question of whether or now pre-conception care has exposed society to excessive folic acid, and possibly leading to offspring with undermethylation and characteristic disorders.

His extensive research has a unique interpretation of the relationship between methylation and disorders like autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. The conversation also touches on the importance of understanding individual genetic makeup for effective treatment and the potential of nutrient therapy in mental health.

04:26 - During gestation, methylation attaches to parts of our DNA to determine and regulate what our genes do.

05:33 - Each part of your body requires different ingredients/chemicals, yet your DNA is identical.

06:44 - Methylation and methylation cycles determine what chemicals are being produced by your DNA. Epigenetics dictates the rate of production.

08:24 - Seventy percent of Americans have normal methylation. Twenty-two percent are under-methylated and 8 percent are over-methylated.

08:55 - If you are over-methylated, too many of your genes have a methylation bookmark. It enhances gene expression.

09:11 - If you are under-methylated, you will not have as much methylation for gene expression.

10:50 - Dr. Walsh found that over 95% of autistic children/people are under-methylated.

13:19 - If you have homozygous MTHFR 677T, methylfolate is helpful for 90% of us with the mutations.

15:03 - Methylation status can be reflected in the SAM-e/SAH ratio.

17:26 - Test results of the SAM-e/SAH ratio should be ignored if the SAH level is below 40%.

21:00 - Histamine is metabolized/destroyed by methylation.

23:29 - More than half of us with schizophrenia and 60% of us with panic disorders are part of the 8 percent of our population who are over-methylated.

24:46 - The median/normal homocysteine in the US is 12. Between 6 and 9 is a healthy range.

28:57 - More people who have significant brain/mental problems are under-methylated, compared to 20 years ago.

30:07 - Test genetics before becoming pregnant. Most birth defects, including autism, happen in the first 20 days after conception.

31:44 - Having too much or too few important epigenetic factors can do harm.

32:36 - At least 7 most common nutrients imbalanced in mental illness have been identified.

38:30 - Genetic mutations take place over hundreds or thousands of years.

40:06 - We each have about 100,000 mutations.

41:28 - We have the ability to change gene regulation with nutrients and with drugs.

42:40 - Psychiatric meds will always have side effects and they will never normalize the brain.

49:39 - Almost all cancers are epigenetic, as is most heart disease.

50:35 - Writing, reading, deletion, and making a protein are the major factors in epigenetics.

51:05 - Most cancers involve the loss of a cancer protection gene. It varies from cell line to cell line. Cancer genes can be fixed/made normal, but the side effect profile is profound and the effects extensive.

52:00 - Transcription factors sense a part of your DNA that can make a protein and they bring all of the pieces so the protein can be manufactured.

52:40 - Bromodomain and chromodomain therapies can be used to change specific genes, gene expression, in a particular tissue.

53:07 - MicroRNA therapies are in phase 1, 2, and 3 testing.

57:51 - One mechanism explains the mysteries of bi-polar disorder and will be disclosed shortly.

01:00:19 - Omega 3 fatty acids are more effective in helping bi-polar people than the drugs.

01:00:49 - In the brain, 4 fatty acids dominate. They are DHA, EPA (omega-3), DGLA, and arachidonic acid (omega-6).

01:03:11 - Under-methylated people thrive on a protein-based diet. People who are over-methylated thrive on a vegetarian diet.

01:05:47 - Glial cells deliver nourishment to your 80 billion brain cells every day.

01:06:48 - Glial cells are involved in brain scaffolding and plasticity. They sense when a neuron fires and move the neurons closer together during learning.

01:09:26 - Aging is the deterioration of our DNA.

01:10:04 - Dr. Walsh’s elevator pitch is for the government to stop killing off critical NIH research.

01:13:15 - Schizophrenia is a name given to several completely different diseases. Depression can be one of 5 different disorders.

01:13:14 - The number one reason that people decline mentally is from a zinc deficiency.