What the heck is DNA methylation? And, Why should I care?

What the heck is DNA methylation? And, Why should I care?

By Erika Lundgren, MS, Functional Nutritionist

 

Methylation is when a methyl group, made up of one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms, attaches itself to a spot on your DNA. This little addition can change the way a gene behaves, turning it on or off like a light switch. Think of it like a boss telling an employee what to do: the gene is the employee, the methyl group is the boss and us along with our lifestyle choices, are the Chief Operating Officer (COO). 

 

Now, let’s talk about why methylation is so dang important. It plays a big role in how our cells grow and develop, and can also affect things like aging and disease. For example, too much methylation in certain areas can lead to cancer. It’s like a game of Tetris: too many blocks in the wrong place can cause a game over! But don’t worry, your body is constantly keeping an eye on methylation levels and making sure everything is running smoothly as long as the COO, you, are making supportive lifestyle choices.

 

You’re probably wondering right now, aside from getting adequate sleep and rest, eating a whole food-centric diet, prioritizing movement, and managing my stress levels; what can I do that I haven’t heard of yet to help me be an effective COO keeping this process running smoothly? Glad you asked!

 

1. 1. Support gut health with pre- and probiotics: try incorporating fermented foods into your meals (not advised for those of you with high histamine reactions) or prebiotic foods such as asparagus, onions, garlic, jerusalem artichokes, apples, etc
   2. Target nutritional supplements (Don’t forget to consult with your functional medicine team): NAC (N-acetylcysteine), Magnesium and methyl B complex to name a few
   3. Do a regular device detox to limit EMF exposure (electromagnetic fields): set a timer to put down and walk away from your device or build an EMF-free ritual into your day. Nature is always grounding! Or, tap into your right brain with device-free creative projects!
   4. Revitalize with Yoga, tai chi, qi gong, moments of solitude and, of course, meditation
   5. Evaluate genetic variations, such as MTHFR, CBS, COMT, and potential imbalances in the body that may affect methylation with your functional medicine practitioner. We would love to see your smiling face at Turnpaugh Health!
   6. Love on the liver! Milk thistle, dandelion root, bitter greens for liver detoxification as well as minimize exposure to toxins and heavy metals … drink filtered water, minimize plastic use, avoid artificial sweeteners/ultra processed foods, limit alcohol, be mindful of the ingredients in your body and cleaning products, replace your bedding/mattress every 5-7 years, utilize a HEPA air purifier … ahhhh so many things in today’s modern world that our liver needs to do heavy lifting for us on a daily basis!

• Eat your methylators! Incorporate foods containing epi-nutrients like quercetin, curcumin, rosmarinic acid, and EGCG to mention a few!