Methylation? Is it something I should know about?

Methylation is the act of a methyl group (a single carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms) attaching to another molecule. 

Why do you care?

Because methylation is a big deal, and if your body doesn’t do it well, you can’t be healthy.

When a methyl group is added or removed, it triggers that molecule to perform a specific action. It’s like lots of tiny on and off switches in your body. 

These on and off switches control everything from your brain chemistry to your immune system. 

Methylation happens about a billion times per second in your body. Every cell uses methylation. It impacts nearly every bodily function. 

Methylation plays a major role in:

• Cellular repair

• Production and repair of DNA and RNA

• Regulation of gene expression

• Neurotransmitter production

• Healthy immune system function

• Formation/maturation of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets

• Detoxification of heavy metals, chemicals, and hormones (think estrogen dominance)

• Glutathione production (important antioxidant and part of detox cycle)

• Histamine breakdown

• Conversion of homocysteine into methionine

• Activation of B vitamins

But, what if you don’t methylate well?

Conditions linked to poor methylation:

• Autism
• ADD/ADHD
• Tongue tie, cleft palate/lip in offspring
• Behavioral disorders
• Scoliosis
• Addictions: smoking, drugs, alcohol
• Down syndrome
• Frequent miscarriages
• Male and female infertility
• Pulmonary embolism and other blood clots
• Depression, anxiety, Bipolar
• Schizophrenia
• Cancer
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Chemical sensitivity
• Parkinson’s disease
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Stroke
• Spina bifida
• Migraines
• Breast cancer
• Atherosclerosis - “hardening of the arteries”
• Dementia and Alzheimer’s
• Multiple sclerosis
• Heart attack
• Thyroid disease
• Autoimmunity
• Gastrointestinal issue

How would you know if you don’t methylate well without waiting until you have one of these?

If you have any of the genetic SNPs for MTHFR it means you MAY not methylate well.

Notice, I did not say that you do not methylate well. You cannot know that just based on having the SNPs.

Genes do or don’t get turned on by our environment. This includes the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, how we handle stress, how well we sleep, and so on. 

I definitely see people who “have MTHFR”, but methylate well. I also see plenty of women who have multiple signs of poor methylation but have no idea what MTHFR or methylation is.

So, please, do not take high dose supplements just because you have the SNPs for MTHFR. Also, know that taking B12 and folate is a piece of the puzzle, but only one of many. 

Find out what your actual methylation status is.

You can do that with a simple blood draw. Blood markers give us a good idea of whether you are methylating sufficiently or if you might need support. 

There is also a dried urine test that gives great information about methylation. The DUTCH test gives detailed information about cortisol, hormone levels, and hormone detoxification, all of which rely on methylation. 

Either way, if testing indicates poor methylation, we will talk about foods, vitamins and actions you can take to support methylation so your body can function optimally. 

If you are pregnant, or thinking of becoming pregnant, supporting methylation is critical.

Proper methylation can prevent midline congenital defects such as tongue-tie, cleft lip and cleft palate, and neural tube defects like spina bifida.

Poor methylation is also associated with autism, ADD/ADHD, behavioral disorders and schizophrenia in the child.

Consider checking methylation before conceiving.

Simple steps you can take to support methylation:

• Detox - infrared sauna, epsom salt baths, dry skin brushing, regular exercise or sweating

• Avoid exposure to environmental toxins

• Remove mercury fillings with a trained biological dentist  

• Avoid aluminum exposure in antiperspirants or cookware  

• Avoid heavy metal exposure

• Use natural cleaning and beauty products – see EWG

• Eat grass-fed and organic when possible since toxins that animals are exposed to can be passed to you when you eat them. 

• Eat sufficient protein – at least ½ gram per pound body weight

• Eat pastured eggs and liver for choline

• Consume bone broth regularly for glycine

• Eat leafy greens for natural folate

• Avoid foods/vitamins w folic acid because methylation is required to convert it to folate. Buildup of folic acid is assoc with cancer.

• Avoid or be aware of drugs that deplete or block absorption of folate or B12 such as birth control pills, proton pump inhibitors, antacids, metformin and cholesterol binding drugs.  Find out how to support methylation if you are on one of these.

Lastly, supporting healthy methylation is an important anti-aging strategy, since methylation capacity declines as we age. 

If you are thinking about getting pregnant, have a family history or current symptoms of a condition associated with insufficient methylation get in touch. I would be happy to help you look at methylation.

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