Why do you need to care about methylation? What is it anyway? Although it sounds complex, it’s actually a simple but essential chemical process that is happening constantly in your body. Methylation involves adding a 'methyl group' onto other chemical compounds which then allows the body to do most of its processes.
Because it is so essential, and because of our busy lifestyles and nutrient-depleted foods, it could be that many of us need support when it comes to methylation. Some people may even have genetic differences, polymorphisms that reduce their ability to methylate quite significantly. But you don’t need to know about your genes necessarily. How would you know if you need methylation support more than someone else? We have picked the most common signs we look out for:
1. Hormonal imbalances: PCOS, PMS, fibroids, endometriosis etc.
Methylation is important for metabolising and detoxifying oestrogen, and so if it is a little slow, it can lead to the symptoms above. Also, if your periods are excessively heavy, you may need more iron, folate and B12 to build new blood.
2. Infertility (both male and female), history of miscarriage or pregnancy related complications e.g. pre-eclampsia
Methylation is absolutely crucial to the growth of new tissue, so it is vital for fertility, maintaining a healthy pregnancy and supporting foetal growth. Your need for nutrients, (folic acid from folate in particular) increases exponentially during pregnancy. In addition, if you have experienced any of the problems above, your requirements may be even higher in comparison to a person who hasn’t, therefore diet alone may not be enough.
3. Cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, poor circulation
If you’re not methylating properly, you may end up with high levels of homocysteine. Excess homocysteine can lead to inflammation and free radical damage, especially in your blood vessels.
4. Mood and mental health issues: mood swings, depression, anxiety, bipolar, OCD etc.
Methylation is needed for the production and metabolism of several key mood-modulating neurotransmitters; dopamine, serotonin, noradrenalin, adrenalin. Therefore, if disrupted, it can lead to either low, high, or fluctuating levels, having a negative effect on our mood and stress resilience.
5. Autoimmune conditions: e.g. multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune thyroid
Methylation is key to immune regulation and repair. Many studies link high homocysteine and genetic factors affecting methylation, to autoimmune conditions in general.
6. Memory problems, insomnia, dementia, Alzheimer's disease
Just like high homocysteine can be damaging to our blood vessels, it can have the same effect in the brain by damaging our neurons and causing inflammation. Multiple studies have linked poor methylation to cognitive problems. In order to sleep, we need to produce the sleep hormone – melatonin, from serotonin, and guess what, this process also happens through methylation!
7. Chronic fatigue, ME, low energy
Energy production, healthy thyroid, adrenal and nervous function are all dependant on methylation and a good supply of vitamin B12, B6, folate, zinc and magnesium, all of which get the methylation cycle going.
8. Allergies and histamine intolerance: eczema, hay fever, headaches, congestion, hives etc.
Allergies are characterised by an increased production of histamine – a chemical that causes all of the symptoms we associated with allergies: sneezing, itching, runny nose or watery eyes. Excess histamine in the cells is cleared by adding a ‘methyl group’ to it. This makes it inactive and ready to be excreted.
9. Poor bile production leading to digestive problems, fat malabsorption, and gallbladder issues like gall stones etc.
Bile is a thick, yellow-green fluid produced by your liver and stored in the gallbladder. It plays a few vital roles. When secreted into the intestines, it has anti-microbial properties, cleansing the bowel and preventing overgrowth of unwelcome bacteria/yeast. It also aids absorption of fats and fat-soluble nutrients (vitamin A, D, E & K), and helps your body excrete toxins and excess cholesterol. You can see how vital it is to our health! However, if your methylation is disrupted, you may not produce enough phosphatidylcholine – a key component of bile.
10. You have an inflammatory condition e.g. arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Constant inflammation is a big strain on the body in general and it can drain your ‘methyl pool’ – the availability of methylated molecules in the body that are ready to be donated to various essential processes. If that pool is continuously ‘drained’ by inflammation, other essential processes, such as tissue repair or neurotransmitter production can be affected. If you have a chronic digestive disorder such as IBD or pernicious anaemia, your absorption of vital nutrients, such as vitamin B12, may also be significantly reduced.
Are you affected by one of the problems above? If so, it could be that you need to promote healthy methylation. By doing so, you would be giving your body a helping hand. A good start would be to try a multinutrient with the right nutrients that support methylation – methylfolate or ‘5-MTHF’ and vitamin B12, especially methylcoblamain.
If you are unsure, or have other health complaints and wonder whether methylation could be one of the culprits, speak to one of our Nutritionists to find out more. You can also see a registered Nutritional Therapist, who can offer more comprehensive and personalised support, whilst also recommending some testing if need be, which will give you more information.
Find out more about methylation here.
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We have a team of Nutritionists at the end of our advice line, open to you, for product support and advice (5 days a week). 0121 433 8702 or clinicalnutrition@biocare.co.uk
Or head to our advice page where you can find Healthnotes.
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