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Am I a Hypo-methylator, and what can I do about it?

You may have watched Gary Brecker's recent appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience. Here, we'll debunk some myths from that episode and expand on the importance of a working methylation cycle. Find out if you're affected- and more importantly: what to do about it.

Picture of Bar Shapira, MSc
Bar Shapira, MSc

Medical Research Team

Finding out is easy

Let’s start with the good news. We offer what will cost you $599 at Gary Brecka’s 10X Health for $199. What’s more, we don’t just analyze the 5 gene specific mutations discussed in the episode (MTR, MTRR, COMT, AHCY and yes, MTHFR). Instead, we analyze over 700,000 SNPs, your answers to an extensive  medical intake and (if you have it) your bloodwork. This allows us to discover much deeper and personalized insights on conditions you might be at risk for, or already suffering from.

We then follow up with personalized recommendations and prescription meds where necessary, to alleviate your conditions. All from the comfort of your home!

What is Methylation, exactly?

On a molecular level, methylation is a process by which a methyl group (CH3) is added to a molecule, often DNA, affecting gene expression and cell function. It’s an elemental biochemical reaction involved in many cellular processes across multiple biological pathways in the body- each shaping different aspects of our health. This varies from the explanation offered by Brecka, who primarily discusses the role of methylation in converting raw materials entering the body (via nutrition) into usable forms.

Let’s explore several other arenas of health that methylation plays a vitally important role in:

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Mental Health

Methylation can profoundly impact the production and regulation of neurotransmitters, which play critical roles in mood, cognition, and overall brain function

Serotonin Production: Serotonin plays a crucial role in mood, emotion, and sleep regulation. Methylation can affect the expression of the tryptophan hydroxylase genes (TPH1 and TPH2), which are in turn involved in serotonin synthesis. Abnormal methylation patterns in these genes can lead to altered serotonin levels, contributing to mood disorders like depression and anxiety.

Dopamine Regulation: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, motivation, and reward. Methylation can influence the expression of genes involved in dopamine synthesis and metabolism, such as the gene for catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme that breaks down dopamine.

Stress Response: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is involved in stress response. Abnormal methylation patterns affecting HPA neurotransmitter systems can lead to inappropriate stress response, contributing to disorders like depression and anxiety.

Neurotransmitter Receptors and Transporters: Methylation doesn’t just affect the production of neurotransmitters; it can also influence the expression of neurotransmitter receptors and transporters. This can change how neurotransmitters interact with neurons, further impacting brain function and mental health.

Detoxification

Detoxification is the process by which the body neutralizes and eliminates harmful substances, such as toxins or waste products. Methylation affects detoxification, primarily by regulating enzymes and pathways involved in processing those substances. Impaired methylation can lead to inefficient detoxification, with implications such as oxidative stress or inflammation.

Phase II Detoxification: The body’s detoxification process is typically divided into two phases, and the second phase involves reactions where compounds are made water-soluble and less toxic, preparing them for excretion. Methylation is one of those reactions, alongside others like sulfation or glucuronidation.

Homocysteine: Methylation is closely linked with the metabolism of homocysteine, an amino acid that is associated with various health issues. Efficient methylation helps convert homocysteine into methionine, a beneficial amino acid. Methionine is then used to generate S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), a critical methyl donor. 

Glutathione Production: Glutathione, a key antioxidant in the body, is also involved in detoxification. Methylation processes, particularly those involving SAMe, are critical for the synthesis and regeneration of glutathione. Adequate methylation ensures a sufficient supply of glutathione, which in turn helps neutralize and remove toxins from the body.

Fat Metabolism

Methylation has a profound impact on fat metabolism through its regulation of gene expression, as well as its influence on enzymes that process fats in their synthesis, breakdown, and storage.

Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL): LPL is an enzyme crucial for breaking down triglycerides in lipoproteins into free fatty acids and glycerol, which can then be used or stored by the body. Methylation can impact the expression of the LPL gene, affecting how efficiently triglycerides are metabolized. Aberrant methylation patterns in the LPL gene may be linked to disorders in lipid metabolism, contributing to conditions like obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Energy Homeostasis: Methylation influences the expression of genes involved in energy homeostasis, including those related to fat metabolism. This can affect how the body balances energy intake and expenditure, and how it chooses between different energy sources, such as carbohydrates and fats.

Diet and Nutrition: Dietary factors can influence methylation processes. Nutrients like choline, betaine, folate, and certain B vitamins are crucial for the methylation cycle. A deficiency in these nutrients can disrupt methylation and consequently affect fat metabolism. Conversely, adequate intake of these nutrients supports effective methylation and healthy fat metabolism.

Cellular Energy

Mitochondrial Function: Mitochondria are the cell’s powerhouse, responsible for producing energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Methylation can influence mitochondrial function by regulating genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and function. It can affect the mitochondria efficiency, impacting overall cellular energy levels.

Redox Homeostasis: Methylation is linked to the regulation of oxidative stress and redox homeostasis in cells. Proper methylation processes help maintain a balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defenses, which is crucial for cellular energy metabolism and preventing oxidative damage.

Influence on Hormone Regulation: Methylation can affect the expression of genes that are responsive to hormones like insulin, which plays a key role in glucose metabolism and energy regulation in cells. Abnormal methylation patterns can thus influence cellular responsiveness to insulin, impacting energy metabolism.

The bottom line

As you can see, there’s a lot more to methylation than Brecka explains in Joe’s podcast and many more conditions that imperfect methylation cause than just idiopathic hypertension. Also, bear in mind that you aren’t Dana White. So, if you’re looking for deep insights on your bio data- including if you’re a hypomethylator- as well as personalized, targeted recommendations on how to become healthier, order an enov.one kit today or upload your existing DNA data.

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If you already have a DNA data file from services like 23andme or myHeritage, you don’t need to order another DNA Kit for us. Simply upload the data and get immediate insights, today!

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