Category: Blog
Nutritional Therapy for IBS, allergies and intolerances, skin conditions such as eczema. Craniosacral therapy from babies trauma and illness to adults emotional problems and trauma and illness. NLP for emotional strengthening. Angel Guide distance healing for most issues.
Breast Milk Production: How It Changes, Why It Matters, and How to Support It
Breast milk is an extraordinary and dynamic food. It is not just “milk” in the simple sense of the word, but a living fluid that adapts to your baby’s stage of growth, immune needs, and development.
As a nutritionist, I often speak to mothers who worry about whether their milk is “good enough”, whether they are producing enough, or whether their own nutrition is affecting their baby. The short answer is that breast milk is beautifully designed for human babies — but maternal health, nutrient status, and breastfeeding support still matter greatly.
In this article I want to explain, in a clear and practical way, how breast milk is produced, how it changes over time, what it contains, and when it may be helpful to seek extra support.
Colostrum: your baby’s first milk
The very first milk your body produces is called colostrum. This is present from birth and is made in small amounts during the first 2 to 3 days after delivery.
Colostrum is often thick and yellowish in colour, and although the volume is small, it is incredibly concentrated. It is rich in:
- immune factors
- antibodies
- white blood cells
- growth factors
- protective compounds for the baby’s gut
In those first few days, colostrum helps to line and protect the baby’s intestinal tract, supports early immunity, and gives the baby a highly concentrated form of nourishment while their digestive system is adapting to life outside the womb.
When does “milk come in”?
Around 2 to 4 days after birth, milk production usually increases and the breasts may begin to feel fuller. This stage is often referred to as the milk “coming in”.
This happens because, after birth and delivery of the placenta, progesterone levels fall, allowing prolactin to stimulate milk production more effectively.
Two key hormones are involved here:
- Prolactin – supports the production of milk
- Oxytocin – helps the milk flow from the breast, often called the “let-down reflex”
Oxytocin is stimulated by your baby suckling, but it is also influenced by your nervous system. Stress, exhaustion, pain, and feeling unsupported can all affect how easily milk lets down, which is one reason why emotional and physical support in the early postnatal period matters so much.
Colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk
Breast milk does not suddenly switch from one type to another overnight. It develops in stages:
1. Colostrum
The first milk, produced in the first days after birth.
2. Transitional milk
This follows colostrum and is produced during roughly the first 2 weeks after birth. It contains increasing amounts of fat, lactose, and calories as milk supply becomes established.
3. Mature milk
After this early stage, mature milk becomes established. This is still not a static substance — it continues to change according to your baby’s needs, your feeding pattern, time of day, and stage of lactation.
So although we use the term “mature milk”, breast milk remains a living, changing fluid throughout the whole breastfeeding journey.
What does breast milk contain?
Breast milk is a complete and highly specialised food for babies. It contains:
- water
- fat
- lactose (milk sugar)
- protein
- vitamins and minerals
- enzymes
- hormones
- antibodies
- immune factors
- growth factors
- bioactive compounds that support development and gut health
A general composition of mature breast milk is approximately:
- 87% water
- 3–5% fat
- around 7% lactose
- 0.8–0.9% protein
It provides both macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients, but it also does much more than feed a baby. It helps to shape the immune system, support the intestinal tract, and establish the baby’s microbiome. Breast milk is therefore both nutrition and communication between mother and baby.
Foremilk and hindmilk: do they matter?
You may have heard the terms foremilk and hindmilk.
- Foremilk is the milk at the beginning of a feed and tends to be lower in fat.
- Hindmilk is the milk later in the feed and is usually richer in fat.
Both are important. Rather than becoming anxious about the exact moment one becomes the other, the more useful principle is usually to allow the baby to feed well from one breast before switching, so that they have the opportunity to take in the full range of milk during that feed.
If your baby does not finish the second breast, it can be helpful to begin the next feed on the breast that was last used.
That said, every baby is different, and if feeding feels difficult, painful, very short, very long, or your baby seems unsettled after feeds, it is worth getting proper breastfeeding support rather than trying to work everything out alone.
Is breast milk enough for a baby?
This is one of the most common questions I hear from mothers, especially in the first weeks.
In most cases, yes — breast milk is enough. For a healthy term baby, breast milk is considered the ideal food and can provide everything a baby needs for the first 6 months of life, when breastfeeding is going well and the baby is feeding effectively.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, followed by the introduction of appropriate complementary foods from around 6 months, while continuing breastfeeding for up to 2 years and beyond if desired.
Of course, breastfeeding is not always straightforward, and there are times when extra support is needed. Some mothers struggle with supply, pain, latch, exhaustion, recovery after birth, or uncertainty about whether their baby is feeding effectively. In those situations, support should never be delayed.
Breast milk and the baby’s gut
One of the most fascinating aspects of breast milk is the way it supports the intestinal tract.
Colostrum and mature milk both contain compounds that help protect and nourish the gut lining. Breast milk also contains human milk oligosaccharides, which are special carbohydrates that act as prebiotics. These help feed beneficial bacteria in the baby’s gut and support immune development.
This is one of the reasons breast milk is so much more than a source of calories. It actively helps shape the baby’s internal environment, including the balance of bacteria in the intestinal tract.
Fats in breast milk and brain development
Fat is a major component of breast milk and is essential for growth, brain development, the nervous system, hormones, and cell membranes.
Breast milk fats include:
- triglycerides
- saturated fats
- monounsaturated fats
- omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
Some aspects of breast milk fat are influenced by the mother’s diet and nutritional status, especially long-chain omega-3 fats such as DHA.
This is why maternal nutrition matters so much in pregnancy and breastfeeding. A mother’s diet does not have to be perfect, but it does need to be nourishing enough to support her own recovery, hormone balance, energy, and nutrient reserves, as well as the baby’s ongoing development.
This is especially important in mothers who are vegetarian, vegan, depleted after pregnancy, or have been running on stress, low appetite, or poor sleep for months.
Protein, antibodies and immune protection
Breast milk contains a wide range of proteins, not only for growth but also for protection and immune support.
These include:
- secretory IgA
- lactoferrin
- lysozyme
- alpha-lactalbumin
- many other bioactive proteins and enzymes
These compounds help protect the baby’s intestinal tract, support the immune system, and contribute to healthy development.
The protein content of breast milk naturally changes over time, which is one more example of how beautifully adaptive human milk really is.
What about iron, vitamin D and vitamin K?
This is an important area, because many mothers understandably ask whether breast milk contains enough of everything.
Iron
Breast milk contains relatively small amounts of iron, but the iron it does contain is very well absorbed by the baby. Healthy full-term babies are also born with iron stores that help support them in the first months of life.
This is one reason why maternal iron status during pregnancy matters, and also why delayed cord clamping can be beneficial for infant iron stores after birth.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is one of the nutrients that deserves special attention. Breast milk is generally not a rich source of vitamin D unless maternal levels and supplementation are sufficient, so this is something to consider carefully in both pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Vitamin K
Breast milk is naturally low in vitamin K, which is one of the reasons newborn babies are routinely offered vitamin K at birth.
Overall, maternal nutrient status still matters greatly. I often encourage mothers to think not only about “feeding the baby”, but also about building and maintaining their own nutrient reserves.
Should mothers keep taking supplements while breastfeeding?
In many cases, yes, continuing nutritional support during breastfeeding can be very beneficial.
As a nutritionist, I often find that mothers are still significantly depleted after pregnancy and birth, especially if they have had:
- low iron in pregnancy
- nausea or poor intake
- twins or closely spaced pregnancies
- a difficult birth or caesarean section
- poor sleep and high stress
- a restrictive diet
- ongoing breastfeeding demands on top of everything else
For many women, continuing with a good-quality pregnancy or postnatal multinutrient while breastfeeding can be a sensible option, depending on the individual case. This is particularly relevant where iron, vitamin D, iodine, omega-3 fats, or B vitamins may be low.
Of course, supplementation should never replace a good diet, but it can be a very useful part of supporting maternal recovery and milk quality.
What can affect milk supply?
There are several reasons why milk supply may feel low, or why a baby may not seem to be getting enough milk. Sometimes the issue is milk production, and sometimes it is milk transfer — in other words, the baby is not feeding effectively enough to remove milk well from the breast.
Possible factors include:
- difficult or inefficient latch
- infrequent feeding in the early days
- maternal anaemia or significant blood loss after birth
- retained placental tissue
- breast surgery or breast tissue issues
- hormonal or metabolic imbalances
- maternal exhaustion, illness, stress, or undernourishment
- a baby who is sleepy, unsettled, or struggling to feed effectively
This is why I always say: if breastfeeding feels hard, painful, confusing, or if your instincts tell you something is not right, please seek support early.
What about colic, constipation or digestive discomfort?
This is an area where parents can feel very worried and very overwhelmed.
Some babies are windy, unsettled, refluxy, or uncomfortable in the first weeks and months while their digestive system is maturing. But it is important not to dismiss every symptom as “just colic”, and equally not to panic about every variation in bowel habits.
Breastfed babies can have a very wide range of normal stool patterns. Some pass stools several times a day, while others may go less often once feeding is established. However, if a baby has hard stools, persistent distress, poor weight gain, blood in the stool, recurrent vomiting, or significant feeding difficulty, it is important to get them properly assessed.
Jaundice in the breastfed baby
Jaundice is quite common in newborns, especially in the first days and weeks of life, but it should always be discussed with a midwife, health visitor, GP, or neonatal team so that the baby is assessed appropriately.
There are different reasons why jaundice can occur. One is insufficient milk intake, where a baby is not feeding effectively and bilirubin is not being cleared well. Another is breast milk jaundice, which can occur in otherwise healthy, thriving breastfed babies and may last longer.
The key point is this: never assume jaundice is “just normal” without proper assessment, especially if the baby is sleepy, not feeding well, losing weight, or the jaundice seems prolonged.
Cow’s milk protein allergy and reactions through breast milk
Some breastfed babies can react to proteins from the mother’s diet that pass into breast milk, most commonly cow’s milk protein, and sometimes soy.
One possible presentation is food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis, which may show up with:
- blood or mucus in stools
- reflux-like symptoms
- vomiting
- irritability
- eczema in some cases
This should always be assessed properly, because not every unsettled baby has an allergy, and not every rash or digestive symptom is caused by food proteins. If there is a genuine suspicion of cow’s milk protein allergy, a carefully guided maternal elimination trial may be appropriate, while also making sure the mother’s own diet remains nutritionally adequate.
Breastfeeding support matters
Breastfeeding is natural, but it is not always easy. It is very common for mothers to need support with:
- latch and positioning
- nipple pain
- milk supply concerns
- expressing and combination feeding
- maternal nutrition during breastfeeding
- reflux, wind, stools, or feeding-related questions
- starting solids and how to transition well at 6 months and beyond
Sometimes what is needed is breastfeeding support. Sometimes it is nutritional support for the mother. Sometimes it is simply reassurance and a proper assessment of what is happening rather than guessing in the dark.
Final thoughts
Breast milk is a remarkable living fluid. It begins as colostrum, develops through transitional milk into mature milk, and continues to adapt throughout the breastfeeding journey. It nourishes, protects, communicates, and supports the baby in ways that go far beyond calories alone.
At the same time, mothers deserve support too.
If you are pregnant, preparing for breastfeeding, already breastfeeding, or feeling unsure about your own nutritional status, your baby’s feeding, your milk supply, or how to support your baby’s gut and development, getting the right support early can make a real difference.
How I can support you
I work with mothers during preconception, pregnancy, postnatal recovery, and breastfeeding, supporting areas such as:
- maternal nutritional status
- iron, vitamin D and general nutrient support
- breastfeeding nutrition
- digestive concerns in babies
- weaning and introducing solids
- postnatal recovery and nervous system support
If you would like support with your own nutrition during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or you would like to explore a more personalised approach for you and your baby, you are welcome to book a consultation with me.
Maria Esposito BSc (Hons)
Nutritionist & Craniosacral Therapist
Information taken from various sources:
From the article: Physiology, breast milk: Sarah Sabir; Ali F. Alhawaj. link to national Institued of Health and websearch.
Craniosacral fascial unwinding in babies treatment what it does! and what is fascia?
In babies, especially when there are mild restrictions in the neck or patterns of tension and contraction within the body, you may also notice gentle twisting, turning, stretching, or small shaking movements. These movements are typically subtle and self-directed. As the session progresses, many babies settle into a calm, relaxed, and more open posture, often appearing more comfortable and at ease. From a craniosacral and fascial unwinding perspective, this is seen as a sign of the nervous system moving toward greater regulation and balance, including support of healthy vagal nerve function and the body’s natural rest-and-digest response.
For babies, craniosacral therapy may help support a more peaceful and settled state. Some parents report that their babies appear more relaxed, sleep more comfortably, and experience less discomfort associated with colic, reflux, or digestive tension. Every baby is different, and responses can vary.
Fascia Development in Babies
Fascia is present from the earliest stages of human development. During embryonic growth, fascia forms as part of the body’s connective tissue network and develops alongside muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and organs. It provides support, protection, and organization for the rapidly growing body.
In babies, fascia is generally more hydrated, elastic, and adaptable than in adults. The connective tissues contain a higher water content and are continually changing as the infant grows and learns new movement patterns.
The Role of Fascia in Early Development
Fascia contributes to many aspects of infant development, including:
- Supporting posture and movement.
- Connecting muscles, bones, and joints.
- Assisting the transmission of force throughout the body.
- Providing sensory information to the nervous system.
- Supporting coordination as babies learn to roll, crawl, sit, stand, and walk.
Because fascia forms a continuous network throughout the body, it participates in the development of movement patterns and body awareness.
Fascia and Birth
The birth process places significant physical demands on both mother and baby. During labour and delivery, a baby’s body undergoes compression, rotation, and stretching as it passes through the birth canal or is delivered by caesarean section.
Most babies adapt naturally to these mechanical forces. Occasionally, infants may develop temporary muscular tension, positional preferences, or areas of stiffness and this sometimes does not improve with growth, and may cause some discomfort and upset for the little ones, showing up with painful colic, reflux, latching problem, not being able or wanted to lay on their backs and being unsettled, not wanted to sleep, resisting their sleep. Even after 3 to 4 months, still jumping at every sound, not wanted to lay on their tummy either from 4 months.
Flat heads on one side or the other, is another sign of some restrictions in their body, shoulder, neck and back, that could have happened before they are born, during birth or later.
The fascial network remains highly adaptable throughout childhood and continues responding to movement and activity throughout life.
Traditional and Holistic Perspectives
As craniosacral therapists we believe and have seen in babies that we see, that babies may develop patterns of tension within their connective tissues during pregnancy, birth, or early life experiences.
The gentle touch and movement-based therapies may help support comfort, relaxation, and ease of movement. Parents sometimes report improvements in feeding, sleep, settling, or comfort following such treatments.
Emotional and Energetic Perspectives
We quite often see that as babies are highly sensitive to their environment and may respond to emotional, energetic, or relational influences around them. These can be a challenging influence or a calming influence. When we work with them, the baby might give a sudden cry, or there is a sudden movement, that would shake off any possible trauma. This can be a shake off of hospital experience or an emergency experience of being born, and more….
Supporting Healthy Fascial Development in Babies
The following practices are generally considered beneficial for healthy development:
- Providing opportunities for free movement (my opinion is no swaddling, as that restrict movements)
- Allowing supervised tummy time (or hold them when very young on tiger hold, for tummy time)
- Encouraging age-appropriate exploration.
- Gentle handling and carrying.
- Adequate nutrition and hydration (fully just milk till 6 months, as intestinal tract, liver, kidney they are not fully formed and functional till 6 months, if they are born 1 or 2 months earlier, maybe wait another extra month, or start with given some light food with your milk for iron).
- Responsive caregiving and emotional connection. (essential for their brain development and eventually their cognitive behaviour later in life, making them feel secure and wanted).
Conclusion
Fascia is an important part of a baby’s developing body, contributing to movement, support, coordination, and growth. During infancy, fascial tissues are highly hydrated, adaptable, and responsive to movement. While traditional and holistic approaches offer additional perspectives on infant wellbeing, current scientific understanding supports the importance of natural movement, nurturing care, and healthy development in supporting the growing fascial system.
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Craniosacral therapy: “what do you feel?”
During sessions, people often ask me, “What do you feel?”
Each person responds differently to a craniosacral session because every system has its own map, history, and way of responding to life experiences.
As I connect with the whole system — physical, emotional, and sometimes spiritual, when appropriate — I may notice different sensations through my hands and awareness. Often I feel heat, tension, or pain, especially when working around the head area.
For me, pain can sometimes reflect inner conflict, stress, or thoughts and emotions that the person may not yet be fully aware of. The body and brain often communicate through sensations before the conscious mind understands what is happening. When this arises, we gently explore what may be going on emotionally or mentally, allowing space for awareness, compassion, and new possibilities.
My role is to support the system and the person in letting go of what is no longer needed, with care, love, and compassion. As this happens, the whole system often begins to reorganize and adjust naturally. People frequently describe feeling lighter, calmer, more flexible, and more at ease afterward. Sometimes changes continue unfolding in daily life without great effort.
Heat can carry a different meaning. It may relate to anger, frustration, emotional intensity, or unresolved feelings toward oneself, another person, or a life situation. At times, especially with children, these feelings may even reflect emotional dynamics around them.
Children often release these patterns more easily. When parents become aware of what the child may be experiencing emotionally — whether frustration, fear, uncertainty, or difficulty adapting to new situations — they are often better able to support their child with understanding and openness.
Every person experiences life differently, and every body responds in its own way. The session respects the wisdom of the individual system and supports the person according to their own unique journey.
Book your healing session and see how you unfold in your own way and time!
Grounding and integrating, two distinctive things
Everyone now talks about being grounded, that you need to ground, go out of your hand, think of feet, etc.. Well they are correct that you need to be grounded and thinking of your body and feet, but the reality of many people is, that they are very grounded, they do feel their feet, but they are not integrated into their body, they can be very solid on the ground, but part or aspect of themselves are completely ungrounded and not connected to their body.
This usually happen with trauma, either from babies, childhood or even in adulthood, where that trauma has not been processed, and hence part of your essence is out of your body. For some will be very difficult to ever be integrated into their body, unless they address, with the help of a therapist of their choice, the unconscious trauma. Some trauma that happens before the age of 2, where only sensation are stored into that trauma, are very difficult to address by yourself, as you feel that there is something, but not knowing what it is, you will keep ignoring it as something that will pass. Even though it returns over and over again.
With my gentle craniosacral therapy/healing approach, including some Neurolinguistic Programming input, in getting yourself your own positive resources for healing, that integration, will happen very quickly and smoothly.
Your vagal nerve, will settle and your mind and body start to feel safe. Depending on your system and what you would like to heal, there might be 5 to 10 session to get your on a possible integration with yourself to find new easy way to be yourself and feel grounded and integrated.
If you live in North London or you would like a distance healing, do book your appointment and you will have your 1st step to your own healing. Look at my website and prices to book your appointment click here
The Health Benefits of Apples: Why One a Day Matters
Almost everyone knows the expression “one apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Even in Italy, where I grew up, we used this saying! Being lucky enough to grow up in the countryside near the seaside, I didn’t realize at the time that not everyone had the same fortune of picking their own fruits and vegetables from their front yard.
I remember simply going under the tree, picking the fruits of the season, washing them, and eating them. I don’t think I have ever tasted fruit quite like that again. The only time I still experience it is when I go back to Italy, where my parents still pick pears from the tree for our breakfast.
But fruits in general contain a good amount of nutrients and vitamins, so why are apples the ones most associated with this famous expression? I’m not sure exactly where or when it started, but here are some facts about apples, their history, and their qualities.
There are about 25 common types of apples, and they vary in colour and texture—from green to deep red. Some are sweet, such as Red Delicious and Royal Gala (my favourite), while others have a sharper taste, like Granny Smith, Pink Lady, and Cox apples.
It is believed that the original apple tree comes from Eastern Europe and Southwestern Asia. Through cultivation and hybridization—the process of combining different varieties or species of trees to create new ones—many more varieties have developed over time from the original apple tree.
In the past, apples were even thought to help people stay forever young. Modern scientific studies show that regular consumption of apples may help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, asthma, and type 2 diabetes, partly because apples release sugar slowly into the bloodstream.
Apples contain high amounts of flavonoids, especially quercetin. Quercetin is an antioxidant that helps protect the integrity of cell membranes. Our bodies are made up of millions of cells, and the outer part of these cells can constantly be under attack from oxidation. Quercetin, along with other antioxidants such as vitamin C and many flavonoids found in colourful fruits and vegetables, helps protect our cells from damage.
Quercetin also helps block the inflammatory cascade, which plays a role in several inflammatory conditions such as asthma, arthritis, and allergies.
Of course, some people may be allergic to apples. In that case, it is important to find suitable alternatives or solutions.
Another important component of apples is pectin. Pectin can help lower cholesterol levels by improving intestinal motility and reducing the reabsorption of fats and toxins—in other words, it helps the body eliminate waste more efficiently.
One medium apple provides about three grams of fibre. Eating about two apples a day may reduce cholesterol levels by up to 11 percent. Pectin is helpful not only for relieving constipation but also for easing diarrhoea. In fact, the over-the-counter medication Kaopectate contains pectin.
Nutritionally, raw apples provide vitamin C, pectin, fibre, potassium, and phytochemicals such as ellagic acid (another antioxidant) and quercetin.
So when people say that “one apple a day keeps the doctor away,” there is some truth to it. However, many fruits contain valuable nutrients, antioxidants, and fibre. For this reason, it is important to vary and combine different fruits to gain the widest range of health benefits.
Hopefully this has convinced you to start carrying an apple—or perhaps two—in your lunch box or bag. Of course, other fruits are just as good. A fresh fruit salad is also a wonderful and enjoyable way to get all that goodness!
Swaddling or not swaddling your baby — that is the question.
If you have swaddled your baby, please don’t worry — all is well and nothing harmful has happened.
I have been researching swaddling and have not found strong medical evidence clearly proving significant long-term pros or cons. Historically, swaddling began in cultures where babies stayed very close to their parents throughout the day. Babies were often carried on the front or back while parents worked or went about daily life, and swaddling sometimes helped them feel secure and connected to their caregivers, especially during sleep.
From what we understand about infant brain development, movement is an important part of growth. Each movement helps stimulate the brain and supports the development of new neural connections. Because of this, some practitioners believe that babies benefit from freedom to move and stretch their bodies.
Sometimes babies who seem to need swaddling to settle may simply be adjusting to the experience of birth. Birth can occasionally be physically intense — for example after a caesarean birth, ventouse or forceps delivery, or a labour that was very fast or very long. Stress or emotional challenges during pregnancy can also influence how both mother and baby adjust after birth.
If you did swaddle your baby and your child is now a toddler, please be reassured: they are absolutely fine. Swaddling has been used for generations.
However, if you currently have a baby who struggles to settle and seems uncomfortable, you may wish to explore gentle supportive approaches that aim to help babies relax and find balance in their bodies. Some parents choose to see a craniosacral therapist — like myself — with 16 years of experience working with mothers and babies and 35 years of experience as a holistic therapist.
If you live in North London, look at the options below for either my private practice in various clinics or a community clinic drop-in.
Release Old Traumas for Better Wellbeing: Start Your Healing Journey
It is now more than ever that our human body, either the physical, mental and emotional needs more help to heal than ever. The unbalance in more than one Country, can affect everybody in the entire World, as we are all one, this can affect our fields of emotion, mental, spiritual and eventually physical. This is even more for more sensitive people children, babies and sensitive adults, including spiritual open adults. It feels that we are swimming again the current, and getting tired or exhausted without doing anything. If you are feeling that is harder than usual to do the exact same things, you are right. Even if you do not notice it as much or you do not have time for that, well this is the time to ask for help. All the old Karma, or trauma or emotions that you have bottled up within you, needs to go, and now it is the time.
Nutritionally, physically, mentally and spiritually, it is time to let go!
Book your session to start shedding things that no longer serve you any good!
COMT and neurotransmitters
(COMT) is an enzyme that helps break down catechol compounds, including neurotransmitters like:
- Dopamine
- Norepinephrine (noradrenaline)
- Epinephrine (adrenaline)
COMT works by transferring a methyl group from S‑adenosyl methionine (SAMe) to those molecules, which helps deactivate them.
It is active mainly in:
- the liver
- the brain (especially the prefrontal cortex)
So the basic biochemical idea in your text is correct.
COMT genetic variants
There are known variants of the **COMT gene. The most studied is the **Val158Met COMT polymorphism.
This variant affects how quickly COMT breaks down dopamine.
- Val/Val (“fast COMT”) → dopamine broken down faster
- Met/Met (“slow COMT”) → dopamine broken down slower
People with slower COMT may have:
- slightly higher dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex
- sometimes increased stress sensitivity
Raw Beetroot contains betaine (trimethylglycine, TMG), which is indeed involved in the body’s methylation cycle.
Betaine helps convert homocysteine → methionine in the liver via the Betaine-Homocysteine Methyltransferase (BHMT) pathway. This supports production of S‑adenosyl methionine (SAMe), which is the body’s main methyl donor.
SAMe is used in hundreds of processes, including:
- Neurotransmitter metabolism (adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine and more)
- Liver detoxification
- DNA methylation
- Hormone metabolism
It is your choice if you would want to try raw betaine juice or not to see if it helps with your sleep, reducing the anxiety or reduce your cholesterol and or homocysteine.
Medically there is no research for the natural things, and as we know nobody is going to sponsor things that are for free, or that might work without medication!
I am a great advocate or checking if your liver works well, genetically, and there is a lot that it can be said for different gene pool and gene variant.
If you would like to be tested (private tests with genetic company, extra costs). Book an appointment and we go from there, or we try dietary changes, lifestyle changes and more to get you into health!