Methylation is a complex biological process within our bodies that occurs more than a billion times per second. It involves the transfer of a "methyl group" from a donor molecule to an “acceptor molecule”. Put simply, methylation describes our genetic expression in response to the internal and external environment. It could be thought of as an on and off switch in the body, where different biological processes are activated or deactivated.

Many factors, including your genetics (like the MTHFR gene), diet, lifestyle, and environmental exposures, can influence how well your methylation pathway’s function or dysfunction. This is known as “epigenetics”.

When methylation is dysfunctional, either imbalanced, too slow or compromised by the internal or external environment, it can lead to a wide range of health issues and disorders, including mental health, behavioural or neurological disturbances, chronic fatigue and hormonal disorders or imbalances, infertility, detoxification issue and more.

Methylation oriented therapies have formed the cornerstone of my personal health journey, and professional expertise in overcoming complex and chronic illness. Learning about how to influence my genetic blueprint founded the basis of my recovery and has enabled me to help others with great efficacy and clinical precision.

If you’d like to read more about my experience with MTHFR and methylation, and how I became so passionate about advanced nutrigenomics and functional nutritional medicine, please follow the links to the about me page.

MTHFR stands for “methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase”. The MTHFR gene produces the MTHFR enzyme, a key player involved in methylation (“One carbon metabolism”), specifically folate and homocysteine metabolism.

Whilst everyone has an MTHFR gene, up to 70 percent of the global population is estimated to have an MTHFR single nucleotide polymorphism. Thus, the term “MTHFR” is generally used to describe individuals with MTHFR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

Individuals with MTHFR SNPs can be predisposed to significant physical, mental and neurological health issues, including anxiety, depression and other seemingly unrelated concerns that often aren’t responsive to conventional treatment.

To read more about my experience with MTHFR and methylation, and how I became so passionate about advanced nutrigenomics and functional nutritional medicine, click here.

Genetic testing is the most certain way to know whether you have MTHFR or other genetic variants that can contribute to methylation issues. However, as a practitioner, your health concerns are a prominent clue.

Some of the health conditions associated with MTHFR variants and methylation dysfunction include, but are not limited to:

1. Cardiovascular disease eg. hypertension, high cholesterol.

2. Infertility, pregnancy complications and hormonal disorders eg. miscarriages, pre-eclampsia, endometriosis, PCOS, PMS and uterine fibroids.

3. Mental health disorders eg. depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, panic disorder.

4. Neurological disorders eg. Autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, ADD.

5. Allergies and/or Histamine Intolerance eg. Skin allergies, eczema, allergic rhinitis, asthma, migraines and headaches, nasal congestion, hives

6. Chronic fatigue, low energy or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/ME

7. Cognitive or memory problems eg. dementia, alzheimers disease

8. Autoimmune diseases eg. IBD, Rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s or Graves disease.

9. Digestive disorders eg. bile insufficiency, IBS, fat malabsorption or gallstones.

Please note this is not an all exhaustive list.

Methylation plays a critical role in brain health by influencing neurotransmitter production (like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA), detoxification, immune function and inflammation. MTHFR variations can impair these processes, contributing to cognitive and behavioural changes, mood dysregulation or imbalances, sleep disturbances, immune deficiency and more.

Methylation is heavily involved in breaking down histamine via the diamine oxidase (DAO) enzyme produced by AOC1 genes and Histidine-N-methyltransferase (HNMT) enzymes produced by HNMT genes. Compromised DAO and HNMT activity can contribute to histamine intolerance, which is an inability to properly metabolise and remove histamine from the body.

Histamine issues and histamine intolerance not only cause typical “allergy” symptoms like allergic rhinitis, eczema and asthma, it can also contribute massively to anxiety, fatigue, mood swings, changes in blood pressure, diarrhoea and more. Histamine intolerance is heavily associated with SIBO, dysbiosis, parasites and other gut health issues.

Yes. Absolutely. Genetic testing provides incredibly valuable information and direct to consumer, comprehensive genetic testing is beneficial for many. However, the abundance of information can leave you feeling confused, overwhelmed and even frustrated.

As a practitioner with personal and professional experience interpreting these results for clients, I can provide you with clinically relevant meaningful insights into how your genetics impacts your health and what supplements or lifestyle and dietary advice is most suited to you based on your genetic blueprint. I wont just tell you to take this, do this or not do that, I focus on helping you learn about your health, illness and genetics and the steps you can take to optimise your health and wellbeing by understanding them.

This can take the confusion, overwhelm and guesswork out of the equation, whilst helping you achieve and maintain long lasting beneficial health outcomes. To read more about my story with methylation and MTHFR, follow the link here.

Absolutely. MTHFR is a predisposing factor for many conditions. This means it increases the risk of certain health conditions and can make it very difficult for some to respond to even the best of treatments (Like me!).

Understanding how your genetics can influence your health and wellbeing is foundational to my practice. I wont just tell you to take this, do this or not do that, I focus on helping you learn about your genetics and the steps you can take to optimise your health and wellbeing by understanding your genetic blueprint.

To read more about my story with methylation and MTHFR, follow the link to my about me section.

Yes. Absolutely. Whilst my personal and professional expertise is in methylation and MTHFR related health concerns, my scope of practice and passions as a clinical nutritionist are wide ranging.

Some of the types of health concerns I can support you with include, but are not limited to:

• Anxiety/Panic Disorder

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Autoimmunity

• Cardiovascular disease eg. hypertension, hyperlipidemia or hypercholesterolemia.

• Depression and low mood

• Diabetes and insulin resistance

• Cognitive impairment or difficulty concentrating

• Eating disorders and disordered eating

• Fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)

• Food allergies and intolerances eg. coeliac disease, lactose intolerance.

• Iron deficiency anaemia

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

• Fatty liver disease eg. NAFLD, MAFLD, MASLD

• Fertility, preconception and pregnancy

• Gallbladder concerns. eg. cholecystitis or cholelithiasis (ie. gallstones, or inflammation of the gallbladder).

• Gut health eg. leaky gut, discomfort, reflux, bloating, dysbiosis or post-antibiotic use.

• Skin concerns. eg. Eczema, psoriasis, acne.

• Sleep disturbances and insomnia eg. inability to stay asleep or fall asleep

• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth

• Stress support

• Nutritional deficiencies

• Migraines & Headaches eg. hormonal, stress mediated or sinus headaches.

• Musculoskeletal conditions ie. Rheumatoid Arthritis, osteoarthritis.

• Female reproductive disorders and complaints eg. premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, heavy bleeding, endometriosis, PCOS.

• General health, dietary and lifestyle support.

• Preventative medicine. eg. mediating your family history and risks for certain diseases or disorders such as stroke, cancer.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please use the contact me form and I will be more than happy to answer or address them. You can also a book a free health strategy call here to have to your questions and concerns addressed within a scheduled time that best suits you.

For all contact me enquiries, please expect a response within 3-4 business days.