MTHFR and Overmethylation: Causes, Symptoms, and Support - Methyl-Life® Supplements (2024)

Dealing with Overmethylation Issues

Some sources suggest that those with the hom*ozygous MTHFR 677TT variant is related to an elevated copper:zinc ratio, flavin sufficiency, and a risk of over-methylation. Copper supplements or high intake of copper-rich foods (liver, oysters, spirulina) may make symptoms worse. However, zinc supplementation reduces excess free copper and moderates copper effects in relationship to neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, and thyroid damage.

Zinc supplementation also benefits antioxidant capacity and impairs copper bioavailability.

Higher levels of inflammatory cytokines in the body can be treated with natural anti-inflammatory agents such as Omega-3 fish oil, turmeric, ginger, and green tea extract.

What about Undermethylation?

Undermethylation can occur when methyl molecules are insufficient. Characteristics of undermethylation include high levels of oxidative stress, low vitamin B6, D, and folate levels, and low levels of unbound copper. There is also a tendency for higher histamine.

Those who undermethylate also tend to have low levels of neurotransmitters, which may increase their risk of depression, anxiety, and low energy.

Undermethylating is associated with MTHFR 677CT  gene variants due to insufficient folate and other B vitamin cofactors required for the methylation cycle.

Symptoms of undermethylation may include:

Get Support for Methylation Issues

Proper methylation is critical for numerous biochemical pathways in the body.

Overmethylation and undermethylation can lead to complications with daily function, increasing the risk of physical and mental health issues.

Undermethylation is most commonly treated with supplements that assist with methylation, including methylfolate and vitamin B12. Choosing a high-quality methylfolate supplement such as Methyl-life’s® Methylfolate range and eating a diet high in methylation-supporting nutrients is also recommended.

Treating overmethylation may involve managing your body’s histamine levels to avoid the elevated levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. NAC, glutathione and nicotinic acid all have methylfolate metabolizing effects. Because they are considered to be methylation cofactors, these nutrients can help the body better absorb & utilize methylfolate and may reduce overmethylation side effects more quickly, therefore bringing the body back into better balance.

High levels of copper may be reduced by supplementing with zinc, manganese, Vitamin C, niacinamide, Vitamin B12, and methylfolate.

MTHFR and Overmethylation: Causes, Symptoms, and Support - Methyl-Life® Supplements (2024)

FAQs

What supplements should overmethylation avoid? ›

Over methylators tend to do poorly on supplements such as SAMe, inositol, tryptophan, phenylalanine, trimethylglycine and dimethylglycine so these should be avoided.

What supplements should you avoid with MTHFR? ›

Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate that cannot be used by those with a MTHFR defect and which can be very toxic. avoid any supplements with folic acid and only take L-MTHF forms, which are the methylated forms that my body can use. Also take a methyl-B12 which is supposed to help the body use L-MTHF.

What happens when there is too much methylation? ›

When overmethylation happens, it can cause a host of troubling symptoms, such as poor concentration, anxiety, panic attacks, sleep disorders, and sensitivities to environmental toxins. It's like a storm brewing within our cells, wreaking havoc on our physical and mental health.

What helps with Overmethylation? ›

Correct your nutrition and supplement for over-methylation
  • Folic acid. Evidence shows that folic acid supplementation improves methylation. ...
  • Vitamin C.
  • Vitamin B6 (in the form of P5P)
  • Vitamin B3.
  • Vitamin B12.
  • Vitamin E.
  • Zinc.

What vitamins help with over methylation? ›

Several enzymes tightly regulate the methylation cycle, including folate, vitamins B6, B12, B2, choline, and betaine. These nutrients are required to produce SAM-e and break down hom*ocysteine into other chemicals your body needs.

What is the best supplement for methylation? ›

In these cases, supplements can play a crucial role in providing the necessary methylation nutrients. Folate supplements are often recommended, especially in the form of methylfolate, which is a more bioavailable form compared to folic acid found in many multivitamins.

What makes MTHFR worse? ›

Those with MTHFR genetic variations are more likely to have an imbalance of neurotransmitter levels, which can affect mood and irritability, especially when stressed. In fact, high levels of stress can exacerbate MTHFR mutation symptoms.

How can I detox my body from MTHFR? ›

One great way to detox is by sweating, you can do this through exercise, infra-red saunas or biomats, but this is something that people with MTHFR don't naturally do much of and they really need to do more.

What happens if you take B12 with MTHFR? ›

MTHFR and Vitamin B12 Absorption

The MTHFR genetic mutation has a negative effect on B12 absorption, with studies showing an increased prevalence of low blood levels of vitamin B12 in those with the mutation. The C677T polymorphism is significantly associated with a decrease in intestinal absorption of vitamin B12.

What are the symptoms of a methylation imbalance? ›

Clearly, any imbalances caused by an impaired methylation cycle can lead to anything from insomnia to depression, anxiety, etc. Poor methylation, secondary to folate and B12 deficiency (or poor bioavailability), can result in neural tube defects, Down syndrome, and other birth defects.

What should you not take with methylfolate? ›

L-methylfolate may interact with the following drugs:
  • carbamazepine.
  • fosphenytoin.
  • phenobarbital.
  • phenytoin.
  • primidone.
  • pyrimethamine.
  • raltitrexed.
  • sulfasalazine.

What does MTHFR feel like? ›

Beyond heart disease, several different kinds of symptoms have been attributed to MTHFR gene mutations, including fatigue, chronic pain, brain fog, depression and anxiety, estrogen dominance, and headaches. These are common symptoms that we see and treat daily in our clinic.

Can Overmethylation cause fatigue? ›

Fatigue is perhaps the most common symptom of problems with methylation. Other symptoms or conditions can include: Anxiety. Depression.

Can you get too much methyl folate? ›

Symptoms of overdose may include: mental/mood changes. Do not share this medication with others. Lab and/or medical tests (such as complete blood count, folate blood level, vitamin B-12 blood level) should be done while you are taking this product. Keep all medical and lab appointments.

How do you test for over methylation? ›

Methylation metabolites are measured in plasma, and genetic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are analyzed via buccal swab. Patient results are synthesized on a front-page Interpretation-at-a-Glance (IAAG) graphic for quick methylation status assessment.

What supplements affect methylation? ›

7 essential nutrients for methylation
  • 5-MTHF (active folate)
  • Methylcobalamin (active vitamin B12)
  • Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate (active vitamin B6)
  • Riboflavin 5'-Phosphate (active vitamin B2)
  • Magnesium.
  • Betaine (also known as trimethylglycine)
  • Vitamin D.
Sep 25, 2021

What interferes with methylation? ›

Your body needs certain enzymes and nutrients, especially folate and B vitamins, to carry out the methylation cycle. Oxidative stress and inflammation are capable of interfering with the process. This means that a healthy diet and lifestyle are both key for optimizing methylation.

What foods should you avoid for methylation? ›

What Not to Eat for Methylation Support. The following article focuses on what not to eat to promote methylation support. Below, we will demonstrate what not to eat to improve DNA methylation including charred foods, added sugars, artificial sweeteners, hydrogenated fats, alcohol, and folic acid fortified foods.

What blocks methylation? ›

How does the methylation cycle become impaired? Genetic mutations known as SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) within the genes responsible for the production of the needed enzymes can result in a decreased efficiency of these enzymes. This can cause a slowdown of the entire cycle.

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