Undermethylation

What is Undermethylation?

Undermethylation (also called histadelia) is a condition that occurs when too few methyl molecules are available to add to enzymes, hormones, and neurotransmitters. When these components don’t function properly, an individual will feel depressed, anxious, and fatigued.

Specifically, the problem relates to low activity at serotonin receptors due to rapid reabsorption after serotonin is released into a synapse in the brain. While other conditions lead to serotonin deficiency, undermethylation is different. It’s actually an inability to keep serotonin in the synapse long enough. Undermethylated individuals also have high blood levels of histamine, another neurotransmitter. 

Undermethylators tend to respond well to serotonin-enhancing substances, but trying to increase serotonin doesn’t fix the underlying issue. We need functional nutrition to support the creation of methyl groups.

See If Your Symptoms Match Undermethylation Symptoms

When you lack methyl groups (a carbon group with three hydrogen atoms), your neurotransmitters and hormones suffer. As a result, you’ll likely experience depressed levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. 

Suboptimal levels of these important neurotransmitters cause:

• Depression and anxiety
• Perfectionism
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Ritualistic behaviors
• Addictive tendencies
• High achievement and competition
• Seasonal allergies
• Headaches and migraines
• Menstrual cycle irregularities
• Phobias
• Poor concentration
• Competitiveness (especially in sports)
• Social isolation
• Learning disorders
• Certain types of cancer (breast, uterine, prostate)
• Asperger’s syndrome
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease

Additionally, schizophrenia was previously seen in our overmethylation population, but we are now seeing quite a few undermethylation cases. According to my personal physician, Dr. Albert Mensah of Mensah Medical, one possible cause could be the liberal use of folic acid before, during, and after pregnancy. 

Folic acid decreases the presence of methyl in our DNA. This can be of great benefit to overmethylated individuals but can create significant challenges for those who are undermethylated. Because folic acid is a common component of prenatal vitamins, and because we have no way of knowing the methylation biotype of a fetus while in utero, prolonged use of prenatal vitamins could actually be preselecting undermethylated children for increased risk of developing schizophrenic symptoms at some point in their lives.

Who Can be Undermethylated?

Anyone can be undermethylated, but it’s important to understand that we receive our methylation status in utero. Undermethylation is not the same condition as histamine intolerance or Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Individuals don’t develop undermethylation over time.

However, undermethylation is common among people who share similar traits. For example, I often see high achieving, type A individuals with strong perfectionistic tendencies to be undermethylated. They are calm on the outside with lots of inner tension and, often, severe depression. Undermethylation is also an underlying component of autism.

How Can Functional Nutrition Fix Undermethylation?

At Eat for Life, I create custom nutritional therapy plans for each one of my clients. My approach is so much more than “a new diet.” I use food as medicine to address the root causes of your health conditions.

I’ll also recommend targeted supplements that help your body absorb the nutrients it needs. Did you know that many supplements you buy at the store don’t get absorbed into your body? You need to take the highest-quality ingredients in order to get the maximum benefit.

When treating undermethylation, it’s important to consider the following nutritional imbalances:

• Methionine
  An often misunderstood amino acid, methionine is an important methyl donor and precursor to SAMe (S-Adenosyl methionine) in the treatment of undermethylation and is required to support DNA, RNA, neurotransmitters, hormones, and enzymes.

• Calcium
  Did you know that a calcium deficiency can cause depression? Calcium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including bone health, muscle function, nerve transmission, and blood clotting. It has been shown that calcium releases the body’s stores of histamine.

• Magnesium
  Magnesium is a co-factor for enzymes involved in methylation reactions. Methylation is a crucial biochemical process that involves the transfer of methyl groups to various molecules, including DNA, RNA, neurotransmitters, hormones, and more. Undermethylated individuals have impaired methylation processes, and magnesium can help support these reactions. Magnesium is also known to support overall neurotransmitter and hormone health.

• Vitamin B6
  Vitamin B6 is a vital nutrient for numerous biochemical processes in the body, including hormone and neurotransmitter production, and plays a key role in methylation. While some people obtain sufficient B6 from their diet, it’s important to supplement with B6 when methylation is unbalanced.

• Protein
  Undermethylators thrive on higher protein diets because protein is needed to create methyl groups. Other diets don’t work well because carbohydrates and fats have no effect on methyl production, and vegan and vegetarian diets decrease the presence of methyl in our DNA (due to being very high in folate). Animal proteins are much more similar to human proteins, which makes them more readily available for our own protein-synthesizing reactions. Plus, protein-rich diets come with a host of other wellness benefits.

Get Started with Functional Nutrition for Undermethylation

When you work with me, you’ll receive truly personalized, compassionate care. While undermethylation might be the cause of your issues, we won’t know until we perform the appropriate tests. At Eat for Life, you won’t be put into a box. Instead, we will look at every possible solution to find the nutritional therapy plan that you need.

To get started, schedule a free discovery call. In the meantime, take my free, five-minute life assessment to find out if undermethylation might apply to you. I look forward to helping you live your most vibrant life!