Methylation is a biochemical process that takes place in each and every cell of the human body. It plays an essential role in regulation of gene expression, neurotransmitter synthesis and brain function, as well as detoxification and liver health, but is also involved in countless other bodily functions. Suboptimal methylation can lead to poor health, unpleasant physical and mental symptoms, and even chronic illness if left untreated, but luckily, there are supplements that can improve the body’s methylation processes by providing the necessary “ingredients” in a highly bioavailable form.
What Does Methylation Mean in Simple Terms?
In the simplest terms, methylation involves transferring three hydrogen (CH₃) atoms and one carbon atom from one substance to another. This group of four atoms makes up what’s known as a methyl group.
Functions and Benefits of Methylation: What Does Methylation Do to the Body?
Methylation that takes place properly optimizes the function of the reproductive, neurological, and cardiovascular systems, among other essential bodily functions. Methylation causes important biochemical reactions to occur throughout these systems.
Regulation of Gene Expression
Methylation plays a significant role in gene expression. Various genes can be activated/deactivated in a number of ways, including through methylation. In some cases, altered DNA methylation can also lead to diseases such as cancer.
Neurotransmitter Synthesis and Brain Function
Methylation is part of the process of synthesizing and transporting neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and epinephrine. Adding methyl groups to molecules such as neurotransmitters may alter their function; for instance, methylation is thought to convert tryptophan into 5-HTP, which is a precursor to serotonin. Optimal methylation is important for optimal brain function, which explains why having low folate levels (which inhibit necessary methylation) is common in cases of depression.
Detoxification and Liver Health
Methylation is also important for the health of the liver, which is one of the key organs in the body’s detoxification processes. Abnormal methylation of genes is associated with chronic liver diseases such as fatty liver, steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
What Are the Symptoms of Poor Methylation?
Because methylation impacts every part of the body, the symptoms of poor methylation can be quite broad, including:
Fatigue
B vitamins like methylated folate are necessary coenzymes for energy metabolism, which means that poor methylation may lead to low energy levels.
Insomnia and Mood Problems
Insomnia and mood issues like depression may arise as a result of poor methylation since this process is essential for production of neurotransmitters that regulate mood and sleep.
High Levels of Homocysteine
Homocysteine is an amino acid that’s produced resulting from proteins being broken down in the body. It’s possible to assess homocysteine levels with a simple blood test. Homocysteine levels being elevated (also known as hyperhomocysteinemia) is a definitive red flag indicating that methylation may not be taking place properly, often due to a variation in the MTHFR gene that affects 5-MTHF production, or that there is another vitamin deficiency present. Along with vitamin B6 and vitamin B12, folate is essential for managing homocysteine levels. Issues with homocysteine levels may also result in cardiovascular health problems such as heart and blood vessel disease and stroke, eventually.
High Sensitivity to Environmental Toxins
Methylation is crucial to the body’s ability to detoxify itself, including via the liver as well as other bodily systems. Being highly sensitive to environmental toxins such as chemicals or mold can be related to an overtaxed detoxification system, whether this is due to poor methylation or other factors.
What Is Methylated Folate?
Folate (otherwise known as vitamin B9) is a vitamin that is necessary for the process of methylation. When folic acid is ingested, the intestine and liver metabolize it to methylated folate (technically known as 6S-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate, or 5-MTHF for short), which provides the methyl groups’ need for methylation.
Is Methylated Folate the Same As Folic Acid?
No, methylated folate and folic acid are two distinct forms of folate with different properties and various levels of bioavailability within the body. Folic acid is the form of folate that is often found in supplements due to its overall stability. However, folic acid must be converted to methylated folate (the bioavailable form, which can also cross the blood-brain barrier unlike folic acid) to be used by the body.
Unfortunately, almost one third of people have a variation in their MTHFR gene that makes it harder for their bodies to make the conversion from folic acid to methylated folate. This can lead to all sorts of issues related to poor methylation, such as the symptoms of poor methylation listed above.
What Is Methylated Folate Good For?
In addition to treating folate deficiency, supplementing with methylated folate has numerous potential benefits.
One of these benefits is for pregnant women who need five to ten times as much folate than non-pregnant women. Folate deficiencies in pregnancy can lead to low birth weight, birth defects (such as defects of the neural tube), preterm birth, high homocysteine levels, and other pregnancy issues. However, pregnant women with MTHFR gene variations may be unable to process folic acid and could experience the consequences of folate deficiency even while taking folic acid supplements.
Methylated folate may also help with infertility treatment, especially if either member of the couple attempting to conceive has MTHFR gene variations. Supplementing with methylated folate may improve fertility outcomes.
Because methylation is required for neurotransmitter synthesis and transport, supplementing with methylated folate may also help with mood and mental health conditions like depression. Methylated folate may also benefit liver health and the body’s detoxification processes.
Who Should Not Take Folate Supplements?
Those who have severe side effects from folate supplements, including anxiety, agitation and irritability, digestive symptoms, loss of appetite, confusion, and sleep pattern disturbance, should stop taking this supplement as soon as possible or discuss their options with their doctor. In addition, taking large quantities of folate can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency by correcting and eliminating the symptoms of anemia without resolving the B12 deficiency (which may result in long-term nerve damage and other irreversible neurological effects).
Those with a history of vitamin B12 deficiency or pernicious anemia, seizures or epilepsy, or bipolar disorder should be particularly careful to confirm that folate supplementation is safe to take.
Folate supplements may also interact with medications such as methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall), phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Carbatrol), valproate (Depacon), and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine). If you are taking any of these medications, it is particularly important to speak with a medical professional before supplementing with folate.
Generally, methylated folate is a safe supplement for most people. However, before you begin taking it, you should speak with your doctor to confirm that incorporating this into your supplement routine makes sense for your unique health situation and medical needs.
Is Methylfolate the Same As B12?
While folate and methylfolate are B vitamins, they fall under the umbrella of vitamin B9, rather than vitamin B12 (AKA cobalamin). Notably, however, many people suffer from deficiencies of both B vitamins at once, and since these B vitamins are involved in many of the body’s important biochemical reactions, some reactions require both B12 and methylfolate to take place.