Education Session with Jenny: What Is Methylation, What’s All the Hype, and Why Does It Matter?
Do you ever wonder how your body and mind stay in balance? Like our world’s ecosystem equilibrium, forest regeneration, or simply balancing on a bike.
And I know that everyone reading this blog has been “out of balance” with their body one way or another (migraines, fatigue, illness, tired, anxiety, rumination, stress, etc.) – so let me tell you about one of the body’s coolest systems—methylation. A process that happens millions of times a second.
It might sound complicated, but don’t worry, I’m going to break it down for you in a way that’s super easy to understand!
So, What’s Methylation?
Think of methylation like a factory crew in your body. They’re tiny, but they’re working non-stop to keep everything running smoothly. These little workers are part of a process that helps your body build and repair cells, switch genes on or off (like a light switch), and even control your energy levels – over and over and over. They use tiny building blocks called “methyl groups” to get the job done. These groups are like tiny tools that help the workers make sure everything stays in balance; and stay in balance in every organ and system in your body.
How Does It Work?
Imagine you’re baking cookies. You need a recipe, the ingredients, right elevation, and the right tools to get the perfect cookie. Your body works in a similar way, using something called the “methylation cycle” to keep everything in check.
This cycle is like a recipe your body follows every day, but instead of baking cookies, it’s helping you process nutrients, make energy, and detox. It’s all about creating the right environment inside your body for things to work the way they should.
A Billion Reactions in Every Moment:
Now, if you thought methylation was just some small process, let me blow your mind for a second. Methylation is happening millions—yes, MILLIONS—of times every single minute throughout your body! It’s like a tiny army of enzymes working tirelessly to keep everything in balance. In fact, enzymes like DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) can perform hundreds of methylation reactions per second in just one dividing cell. And with around 37 trillion cells in the human body, this process is happening on a scale that’s almost hard to wrap your head around!
Pretty cool, right? Your body is doing this at lightning speed across billions of sites in your DNA—all day, every day. Talk about amazing!
Why Should I Care About Methylation?
Ok Jenny, this seems complicated, so why should I care?
Methylation is important for all kinds of things, like helping you focus on school, making sure your body uses vitamins properly, and even keeping your immune system strong so you don’t get sick.
When methylation isn’t working right, it’s like your body’s construction crew running out of tools. This can cause problems like feeling tired all the time, having trouble concentrating, sleep issues, fatigue, susceptible to ailments and illness, and not optimizing your body to deal with any chronic conditions you may have. But the good news? There are very easy ways to support your methylation cycle!
How Can You Support Methylation?
Methylated Supplements:
When you don’t take methylated forms of vitamins, it is like putting Crude Oil into your car – it won’t work, it won’t drive.
Methylated forms are the “gas” and “fuel” versions of crude oil – you must convert crude oil into gas to put into your car.
Vitamins that aren’t methylated are crude oil – Methylated vitamins are the converted form of gas/fuel for your car (your body)
One of the biggest poisons to your body is B12 as cyanocobalamin –
Cyanocobalamin is made with cyanide and has extremely low bioavailability. My advice is to never, ever take B12 in the form of cyanocobalamin.
Eat the Right Foods:
Just like a car needs the right fuel, your body needs specific nutrients to keep methylation working. One of the best foods that I recommend are raw vegetables (not cooked or steamed – you lose the nutrients), anything FERMENTED (sauerkraut, tempeh, kimchi) and wild-caught fish (not farm-raised seafood)
Avoid Enriched Foods:
While we’re on the topic of food, it’s essential to highlight what to avoid. One of the first things we suggest to every client, regardless of their genetics, is to immediately toss out all enriched products. What’s that, you ask? Many grains, breads, cereals, crackers, and similar foods contain enriched wheat, where synthetic nutrients are added back after being stripped during processing. This can be problematic for many people, as your body may not be able to properly process synthetic forms of folate or B vitamins.
Our suggestion? Opt for organic, unbleached, unenriched grain products. You can find these easily at most major grocery stores, local health food shops, and bakeries.
Here are a few of our favorite foods that us iv&co girls love to incorporate into our diets. FYI, these are not affiliate links that we get paid for, we just REALLY like these products.
Saverne Sauerkraut
Saverne Sauerkraut is one of the best fermented foods out there, packed with probiotics to support gut health. Plus, it’s delicious and adds a perfect tang to any meal! You can find this locally at the Sioux Falls Food Coop, or online at the Saverne Website!
Breadico Sourdough
Breadico’s Sourdough is made the traditional way, giving you all the benefits of fermentation while offering that perfect chewy, tangy bite. It’s as wholesome as bread gets! You can find this locally in Sioux Falls at Breadico, Pomegranate Market and the Sioux Falls Food Coop.
Woh Tempeh Chips
Woh Tempeh Chips are a crunchy, plant-based snack that’s loaded with protein and rich in nutrients, making them the ideal fuel to keep your body balanced and energized. You can easily find these online from Market Organics.
Get Enough Sleep:
Your body does a lot of repair work while you sleep, so make sure you’re getting enough rest! Sleep is one of the most underrated cornerstones for your health.
Exercise & Methylation:
Moving your body helps get everything flowing, including the nutrients your body needs for methylation. Even Just walking daily does wonders for your body – and a sedentary lifestyle is clinically just as bad for you as smoking is.
Hydration:
Staying hydrated is another key to keeping your body’s systems in balance.
- Healthy/organic drinks
To Summarize:
The Methylation process is vital for numerous physiological functions and plays a key role in several bodily systems, including gene expression, detoxification, immune function, and neurological health.
NOT addressing methylation can potentially lead to these health issues:
- Improper aging
- Various cancers
- System-wide inflammation conditions
- Autoimmune conditions
- Mental Health issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, ADD, AHDH, brain fog and memory loss
- Myelin sheath degradation in the brain
- Hormone deregulation and abnormal levels
- Fetal development (specifically take methyl-folate – NOT folic acid), pregnancy and antenatal support
- Folic acid is NOT the methylated form of what you need make sure you are taking Methyl-folate instead of folic acid.
Your Questions Answered:
1. How do I know if my methylation process is working properly?
Your body can give you some clues, such as feeling fatigued, struggling with concentration, or being more prone to illness. However, the best way to know for sure is through genetic testing, which can show how your body processes important nutrients. You can learn more about that on our Genetics Testing page.
2. What supplements should I take to support my methylation?
The two key supplements to support methylation are methyl-folate and methylated B12 (hydroxocobalamin or methyl-cobalamin). These forms are more bioavailable, meaning your body can use them more efficiently than synthetic forms like folic acid or cyanocobalamin. And here’s some great news: iv&co offers an entire line of methylated supplements to support you. Our favorite introductory one to try is called “Genetic Alkylation” which includes methylated B12 AND methylated folate.
3. Can I get methylated vitamins from food alone?
While you can support methylation with a healthy diet rich in leafy greens, wild-caught fish, and fermented foods, getting adequate methylated forms of vitamins through food alone can be tough. That’s where high-quality supplements can really help fill in the gaps!
4. Why should I avoid enriched foods if they add back nutrients?
Enriched foods contain synthetic forms of nutrients, like folic acid, which your body might not process well – which can cause a whole host of problems that can be hard to properly identify. Opting for foods and supplements that contain natural or methylated forms of these nutrients is a much better way to support your body’s natural processes.
5. Is genetic testing necessary for everyone to understand their methylation?
Genetic testing isn’t necessary for everyone, but it can be really insightful, especially if you’re dealing with chronic conditions, fatigue, or have a family history of health issues. It helps you understand how well your body processes certain nutrients, so you can make informed decisions about your diet and supplements. And here’s the thing: you only have to take the test once in your life, because the genes you are born with are the genes you will die will. Check out our Genetics Testing page for more details!
6. Can lifestyle changes really improve my methylation process?
Absolutely! Simple things like eating the right foods, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly can support your body’s natural methylation process and overall well-being.
References:
- Methylation and MTHFR: A Simplified View on a Confusing Process
Available at: https://azwellmed.com/2018/11/04/methylation-and-mthfr - What is Methylation: An Introduction to Its Role in Health and Disease for Functional Medicine Practitioners
Available at: https://www.rupahealth.com/post/what-is-methylation-an-introduction-to-its-role-in-health-and-disease-for-functional-medicine-practitioners - Understanding Methylation to Boost Energy and General Health
Available at: https://www.nutritionist-resource.org.uk/memberarticles/understanding-methylation-to-boost-energy-and-general-health - What Exactly Is Methylation & Why Is It So Essential to Overall Health?
Available at: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/what-is-methylation - Methylation: An Ineluctable Biochemical and Physiological Process Essential to the Transmission of Life
Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/23/9311 - Morales-Gutierrez, J., Díaz-Cortés, S., Montoya-Giraldo, M. A., & Zuluaga, A. F. (2019). Toxicity induced by multiple high doses of vitamin B12 during pernicious anemia treatment: a case report. Clinical Toxicology, 58(2), 129–131.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2019.1606432
Author: Jenny Haiar
Owner, Founder & CEO, iv&co, PLLC
About Jenny
Jenny is the visionary founder of iv&co, the first elective IV therapy business in the Dakotas, established over a decade ago. Her passion for wellness was ignited during her years as an OB ER nurse in Denver, Colorado, where she saw firsthand the power of hydration and recovery. Jenny is dedicated to bringing innovative, personalized health solutions to her community, helping clients achieve their wellness goals through IV therapy and beyond.
