The Process of Methylation

Our bodies are incredible feats of nature that work tirelessly to protect us. There are many vital biological functions that occur within that we’re completely unaware of and don’t understand. One of these processes is methylation, something that many of us haven’t heard of.

Methylation is a focal point in functional medicine, a practice that is based in the research of how different illnesses work and why they occur. In doing this we are able to treat the root cause of the ailment and prevent it from recurring. In short, methylation is the transfer of three hydrogen atoms and one carbon atom from one substance to another. This process can repair our DNA, detox our bodies, protect us against cancer, regulate our mood to improve our mental health, and is an important process during pregnancy.

A good way to think of methylation is by imagining your body as a complex system of cogs and gears. Methylation allows these all to turn smoothly and controls certain epigenetic switches in your body. In fact, it is actually a mechanism of epigenetics and as such affects how our genes express themselves. This means that if you are predisposed to cancer, for example, methylation could potentially prevent a tumour from expressing itself in your body and thereby preventing you from getting cancer which you may have otherwise had to suffer through.

Here is the bottom line: When methylation is going well, the process helps repair your DNA, regulates hormones, produces energy, protects against cancer, supports detoxification, keeps your immune system healthy, supports the protective coating along your nerves, strengthens the nervous system and on and on and on. If methylation is not going well, you will find that your DNA/RNA expression is altered, often leading to chronic diseases (including cancer). Neurotransmitter imbalances also occur, resulting in any of a number of psychological conditions as well as neurodevelopmental delays.

Unfortunately, a very common genetic mutation doesn’t allow some people one of the essential chemical components that allows methylation to happen, 5-MTHF. This affects roughly 60% of people. If 5-MTHF is not being produced, then the body cannot effectively produce melatonin (essential for sleep), serotonin (essential for mood), nitric oxide (essential for blood health), epinephrine (essential for muscular health) and a multitude of other highly important hormones. If you suspect that you may have this mutation, there is a test you can take to confirm.

The good news is that there are lifestyle changes that you can make that will improve your body’s ability to methylate and demethylate. It is advisable that you do not smoke or consume too much alcohol/caffeine and get plenty of exercise. Eating asparagus, avocado, leafy greens, rice, legumes, broccoli and brussel sprouts will also help.

Methylation is but one of the very many biological processes that we don’t have to fully understand in order to ensure it’s running as it should. Take care of yourself holistically and you’ll ensure that all those cogs are turning smoothly.