Summary
In her insightful blog post for the Couri Center, Lauren Ponder, MSN, APN, FNP-C, delves into the crucial process of methylation and its impact on overall health. Methylation, a biochemical process essential for functions like detoxification and DNA repair, can be compared to refining crude oil into gasoline so that our bodies can use nutrients effectively. Genetic factors play a significant role in the methylation cycle, and breakdowns in this process can lead to various health issues, including mood disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Lauren emphasizes the importance of genetic testing to identify methylation issues and highlights how personalized supplementation can optimize health and well-being.
What is Methylation?
Methylation is a biochemical process that occurs billions of times every day in the human body and is crucial for detoxification, hormone balance, energy production, repairing DNA, and switching genes on and off. It functions as the refining mechanism that allows our body to convert raw materials into their useable forms (Menezo, et al., 2020). We put vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and nutrients into our bodies every day, yet our body can’t use them ‘as is,’ and they must be converted into a form our body can use. I like to use the analogy that human biologist Gary Brecka gives to describe the methylation process, which is: When we pull crude oil out of the ground, we can’t just put it into our gas tank because it has not yet been refined into its useable form of gasoline so the car wouldn’t understand that fuel source. Only after the oil is converted into gasoline can it be used to fuel our cars. This is the same idea for humans; instead of crude oil needing refining, it’s our everyday intake. Despite the vital role methylation plays in almost every critical function in our body, it is one of the most overlooked processes in modern medicine today and could be the reason for many of the health issues facing people today.
How genetics impact the Methylation process
Our genetics play a huge role in the methylation cycle by telling each enzyme what function to carry out. If there is a breakdown in any part of the cycle, then it causes a deficiency, and this deficiency can lead to significant health consequences. Depending on where in the methylation cycle a breakdown occurs, the type of deficiency and its associated symptoms will be determined. For example, a breakdown in a gene that affects neurotransmitters, such as the COMT gene, can be the difference between a healthy, balanced mood versus symptoms of depression, anxiety, OCD, poor sleep, ADHD, and many more (Hall et al., 2019). Other mutations interfere with energy production, fat metabolism, vascular health, metabolic functions, and aging processes and even cause an increased risk for certain cancers.
Variants in the MTHFR gene are some of the most common gene mutations and can cause various wide-ranging symptoms and diseases because they are a workhorse for converting raw materials. According to the Journal of Genetic Counseling (2016), a variant in the MTHFR gene is extremely common in certain racial and geographic populations. In the United States, approximately 20-40% of Caucasian or Hispanic individuals are heterozygous for MTHFR C677T mutation. A breakdown in this gene prevents methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase from converting folate into a usable form responsible for the breakdown of homocysteine. If homocysteine is not properly converted, it causes a toxic effect on the endothelial lining of our cells, which in turn leads to cardiovascular injury, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, increased risk for blood clots, and other cardiovascular diseases (Habib, SS. Et al., 2023).
Who should consider testing?
Anyone struggling with the following:
- Anxiety/Depression
- ADD/ADHD
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Brain fog
- Schizophrenia
- Parkinson’s or dementia
- Poor sleep
- Gut issues
- Weight gain
- High blood pressure
- Thyroid problems
- Autoimmune disorders
- Pregnancy complications (miscarriage, etc)
- Chronic fatigue
How can you find out if you have methylation issues?
A genetic methylation test can assess for specific gene mutations/variations known to negatively impact the methylation cycle, preventing you from functioning at your best. By determining which of your genes are working properly and which ones are not, you can identify the areas needing improvement and customize your treatment plan accordingly. While you can not change your genes, you can supplement their function. Five primary methylation-related genes can be tested including MTHFR, MTRR, MTR, AHCY, and COMT. You only have to take this test once in your life since your genes never change. Testing can be done in saliva or blood, depending on the lab from which the testing was ordered. You can check for methylation-related genes or pick individual ones based on your symptoms. Instead of supplementing just to supplement, testing can help you identify your body’s specific needs and which micronutrients are needed to help these genes function properly. However, one thing everyone could do now if they suspect their symptoms could be related to poor methylation is to start a methylated multivitamin or a methylated B vitamin supplement. You could be one supplement away from feeling your absolute best. To learn more, schedule with your provider today.
Lauren Ponder, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITE IS INTENDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS CURRENT AS OF THE DATE OF PUBLICATION OR LAST REVIEW, BUT MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING, AND THE INFORMATION MAY BECOME OUTDATED OVER TIME.
References:
Levin, B.L. and Varga, E. (2016), MTHFR: Addressing Genetic Counseling Dilemmas Using Evidence-Based Literature. J Genet Counsel, 25: 901-911. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-016-9956-7
Menezo Y, Clement P, Clement A, Elder K. Methylation: An Ineluctable Biochemical and Physiological Process Essential to the Transmission of Life. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Dec 7;21(23):9311. doi: 10.3390/ijms21239311. PMID: 33297303; PMCID: PMC7730869.
National Research Council (US) Committee on Diet and Health. Diet and Health: Implications for Reducing Chronic Disease Risk. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1989. 4, Genetics and Nutrition. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK218767/
Habib SS, Al-Khlaiwi T, Almushawah A, Alsomali A, Habib SA. Homocysteine as a predictor and prognostic marker of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2023 Sep;27(18):8598-8608. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202309_33784. PMID: 37782175.