Text, for consumers, describing strategies based on the body's simplest chemical grouping: the methyl group. Details supplements, diet, and exercise strategies for boosting a person's methyl power for increased energy, a trimmer shape, and a healthy mental attitude.
Amazon Sales Rank: #295942 in Books Published on: 1999-05-15 Original language: English Number of items: 1 Binding: Hardcover 253 pages
From Booklist Biochemist Cooney sees the chemical process of methylation as the "central control dial" of life, and a simple test can determine whether one needs to improve it. Unfortunately, many physicians are unaware of the importance of methylation, so they need convincing about what a vital role it plays and why their patients need to have the test done. Proper foods (potatoes are out) and vitamin supplements encourage proper methylation, and with proper methylation, one can avoid heart disease, birth defects, autoimmune diseases, allergies--even depression, Alzheimer's, and schizophrenia. Memory can be improved, and aging and the signs of aging staved off. Cooney and his writing collaborator give the brand names of helpful vitamins and where they can be obtained. The first appendix discusses good, medium, and bad foods for assisting methylation, citing brands; the second contains "Methyl Magic Recipes"; and the third lists sources for more information. Methylation seems an up-and-comer in health and nutrition. Libraries, be prepared. William Beatty Review SAMe (known formally as S-adenosylmethionine) is not an herb or a hormone. It's a molecule that all living cells, including our own, produce constantly. To appreciate its importance, you need to understand a process called methylation (chart). It's a simple transaction in which one molecule donates a four-atom appendage, a so-called methyl group to a neighborin molecule. Both the donor and the recipient change shape in the process, and the transformations can have far-reaching effects. Methylation occurs a billion times a second throughout the body, affecting everything from fetal development to brain function. It regulates the expression of genes. It preserves the fatty membranes that insulate our cells. And it helps regulate the action of various hormones and neurotransmitters, including serotonin, melatonin, dopamine and adrenaline. As biochemist Craig Cooney observes in his new book, "Methyl Magic," "Without methylation there could be no life as we know it. -- Newsweek magazine, July 5th, 1999
Most helpful customer reviews 14 of 15 people found the following review helpful. Methylation should be the next word on the street! By A Customer Old vitamins get a breath of fresh air in this compelling book on nutrition. If you need to be motivated to eat right and take vitamins, this will do it. It presents the B-vitamins and more in a newly publicized theory called methylation. Bill Lawren has managed to move from the "feel good" stuff of the "Zone" (Barry Sears) to the science of "Methyl Magic" (Craig Cooney) without losing a beat. The new diagnostic tests to verify the results of the program are a very nice touch. The only criticism is with the title: Considering that Dr. Cooney lays out how methylation acts -- it hardly seems magical by the end of the book! In the end, however, Dr. Cooney documents many studies which show that his program is destined to reduce the incidence of all the major killers.. I just don't know why this is not major news. 12 of 13 people found the following review helpful. A straightforward biology class for the masses! By A Customer Dr. Cooney has written a book covering in-depth human physiology in a manner that is easy to read and understand by the average person. While some may think Cooney's information is a rehash of current nutritional thinking, it is another side of the perspective to healthy living. In essence, it dovetails nicely with what the other "experts" are saying. Cooney's perspective brings forth the operational aspect of exactly what is happening inside the human body in a down to earth way. It's a sort of biology class for the masses that not only makes sense, but helps everyone to make lifestyle choices that can benefit everyone from day one. 12 of 13 people found the following review helpful. A must read for the health enthusiast By Fred Madsen, PhD. (dmadsen@midwest.net) I commend Dr. Cooney for taking the time to inform the public about how important optimum methylation is to our everyday well-being and how it affects our general aging process. He has succeeded in explaining a rather complicated biochemical process in understandable terms. Many people are aware of the dangers of high plasma homocysteine, but few people outside of academia have been exposed to the other metabolic problems poor methylation creates. I have been practicing commercial animal nutrition for nearly 20 years and have been aware of the power diets formulated for optimum methylation have on general animal health and well-being. Thanks to Dr. Cooney, humans may now benefit from this knowledge. Anyone interested in improving their health should read this book. See all 7 customer reviews...