Methylation

Methylation is a vital biochemical process in the body, involving the addition of specific nutrients that carry a methyl group (methyl donors) to DNA gene markers and specific protein structures to maintain physiological activity. Methylation plays a key role in our understanding of autoimmune diseases and neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, dementia, chronic fatigue, lupus, depression, anxiety, and autism spectrum disorders, as it is essential for the creation, maintenance, and repair of DNA.
Methylation reactions occur in every cell and are also present in bodily fluids supplying the brain and liver, making them one of the most central processes in overall body chemistry. The methylation cycle regulates a wide range of biochemical functions, including detoxification, epigenetic regulation of DNA, energy production, inflammation reduction, neurotransmitter synthesis, homocysteine metabolism, protein methylation, phase II liver detoxification, and immune support.
Impaired methylation capacity may lead to birth defects, depression, reduced cognitive function, and cancer, and has been linked to autism. Supporting methylation function has also been associated with rapid improvement in speech, and with behavioral improvements in conditions such as attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

※Methylation test results can reflect aspects of an individual's personality traits, providing valuable insights that assist physicians in their interactions with patients during consultations.

Symptoms Associated with Methylation Dysfunction
Neurotransmitter Metabolism Disorders	Neurodegenerative Diseases
Immune Dysregulation / Autoimmune Diseases	Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Emotional Health Disorders	Cognitive Decline
Autism	Oxidative Stress
Cardiovascular Disease	Congenital Heart Disease and Birth Defects
Impaired Detoxification Function	Increased Risk of Down Syndrome
Psychiatric Disorders, such as Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

 

The important information provided by Methylation-META^® is as follows

• The test can evaluate plasma levels of methionine, SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine), SAH (S-adenosylhomocysteine), homocysteine, cystathionine, and cysteine, and provides an important "methylation index", which is the ratio of SAMe to SAH. Test results can guide appropriate nutritional support to enhance or balance methionine metabolism, helping to improve or prevent potential adverse outcomes caused by impaired methylation and transsulfuration capacity.
• SAMe plays a crucial role in protecting DNA from mutations that can lead to cancer, preventing peripheral nerve damage caused by hypoxia, helping to eliminate harmful homocysteine from the body, and alleviating symptoms of depression. Additionally, SAMe is essential for the synthesis of melatonin, and research indicates it may help manage joint pain associated with fibromyalgia.
• The concentration of SAH is influenced by the enzyme AHCY (adenosylhomocysteinase). Elevated SAH levels may result from low AHCY activity or high homocysteine concentrations. This condition can lead to increased oxidative stress and is associated with cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Clinically, the SAMe/SAH ratio is used to assess an individual's methylation capacity.
• Whole blood histamine levels serve as biomarkers of methylation status and help identify conditions such as histadelia or histapenia. Whole blood histamine is considered a reliable marker for both undermethylation and overmethylation.
• Evaluating the balance of methylation metabolism can assist physicians in developing personalized health management plans, using amino acids, trace elements, and other nutrients to improve methylation cycle function.
• Please also complete the mental disorder biotype questionnaire to support interpretation.