What is methylation?

Methylation is a fundamental biochemical process in which a methyl group (–CH₃) is transferred to another molecule. This reaction occurs throughout the body and affects a wide range of biological components, including DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, hormones and neurotransmitters.¹

DNA methylation regulates how your genetic instructions are ‘read’ and interpreted. In other contexts, methylation supports neurotransmitter synthesis, hormone metabolism, detoxification pathways, and cellular energy balance.

Both acetylation and methylation modify molecules in the body to control gene expression, but they act through different chemical mechanisms and are not simple opposites.

DNA methylation typically occurs at cytosine bases within CpG dinucleotides (usually clustered in regions known as CpG islands). Here, methyl groups act as signals that attract specific methyl-binding proteins. These proteins recruit other complexes that tighten the surrounding chromatin structure, making the DNA less accessible to the specific proteins that physically bind to DNA.

Acetylation, on the other hand, adds acetyl groups (CH₃CO) to histone proteins (the ‘spools’ that DNA wraps around). Histones carry positive charges that attach to negatively charged DNA. Acetylation neutralizes these positive charges, causing the histones to repel DNA, which creates a more open or ‘loose’ chromatin structure.² This allows the enzymes and proteins that read genes and produce proteins to access DNA more easily, so the genes are activated.³

Simply put: histone acetylation relaxes chromatin, making DNA more accessible for transcription, while methylation can either repress or activate gene expression depending on the specific site and context, usually by influencing how chromatin and regulatory proteins interact with DNA.

Methylation is the process by which the body can control specific biological processes, rather than simply switching them on or off. It regulates timing, intensity and duration of molecular signals, which then helps coordinate complex systems such as hormone metabolism, neurotransmitter balance, detoxification and gene regulation.

For example, methylation helps activate and deactivate hormones such as estrogen so they can perform their functions and then be cleared from the body.
In the nervous system, methylation supports the synthesis and regulation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine by maintaining adequate levels of methyl donors and cofactors required for the enzymes involved in these pathways.

When methylation is inefficient or impaired, these systems cannot occur as they should, potentially leading to hormonal imbalances, mood disorders and other health concerns.

Think of methylation as the body’s control panel or dimmer switch. As well as turning many processes “on” or “off”, it adjusts the intensity, timing and shutdown of various signals. When this is carried out properly, the body’s systems are in balance. However, if signals are left on too long or are too weak or activate at the wrong time, health issues can occur.

Cardiovascular health

• Elevated homocysteine levels
• Increased risk of heart disease, stroke and thrombosis (blood clots)

Cognitive issues

• Low mood, depression, anxiety
• Fatigue 
• Poor memory
• Reduced cognitive function or cognitive decline
• Sleeplessness, insomnia
• Neuropathic pain
• Headaches, migraines

Fertility and reproductive issues

• Infertility/difficulty getting pregnant
• Recurrent miscarriages
• Birth defects/neural tube defects
• Hormonal imbalances

Some research has linked poor methylation to chronic health issues as well as neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions, although many other factors (lifestyle, environmental) may interact.⁴

Determining methylation capacity usually involves testing for the genes and/or nutrients required for this process to happen efficiently.

Genetic tests can determine the presence of mutations in the MTHFR gene, which may impair proper methylation. These tests can be done in a lab or with a home kit and generally require a saliva sample (via a cheek swab).

Measurement of circulating biomarkers such as homocysteine, folate, vitamin B12, methionine and other metabolites can provide indication of methylation efficiency.

• MTHFR
  Mutations of the MTHFR gene are a common cause of poor methylation. Variants in the MTHFR gene can reduce enzymatic activity, impairing the conversion of folate into its active form (5-methyltetrahydrofolate or L-methylfolate), which may affect downstream methylation capacity. The two most commonly studied MTHFR variants are C677T and A1298C.
  The methionine synthase (MTR) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) genes are also involved in the folate metabolic pathway, and mutations can affect the availability of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), the body’s major methyl donor.

• DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs)DNMT1 mutations can also affect methylation, as these enzymes are required for adding methyl groups to DNA.

Folate, B6 and B12 play key roles in the metabolism of homocysteine to methionine, and insufficient levels of these nutrients can significantly affect normal methylation.⁷

Environmental factors
Toxicity due to environmental chemicals, tobacco smoke, air pollutants and chronic oxidative stress have been associated with poor methylation.⁸

The MTHFR enzyme is produced by the MTHFR gene, and it is required for converting folate derivatives into 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), the biologically active form of folate. L-methylfolate is used to convert homocysteine to methionine, and methionine is then used to produce S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), the universal methyl donor. SAMe is essential for DNA methylation and the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin. 

Mutations in the MTHFR gene can reduce the function of the MTHFR enzyme, impairing the entire methylation process. Depending on the level of dysfunction, this can lead to various health concerns such as elevated homocysteine, cardiovascular conditions, depression, poor cognitive function, neural tube defects and more.

The B vitamins B9 (folate), B6 and B12 are essential for methylation because they directly support the production and regeneration of SAMe, the body’s primary methyl donor.⁹

• Vitamin B12 and Vitamin B9 (folate) are required cofactors for the enzyme that recycles homocysteine back to methionine. 
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supports an alternative pathway (transsulfuration) that helps clear excess homocysteine. 
• Vitamin B4 (choline) provides an alternate methyl donor by contributing to the formation of betaine.

Methylfolate provides methyl groups to create methionine, which then forms SAMe. SAMe donates its methyl group to various molecules (including those required for neurotransmitter synthesis) and becomes SAH (S-adenosylhomocysteine). SAH is broken down into homocysteine and adenosine. To regenerate SAMe and maintain the methylation cycle, homocysteine must be converted back to methionine, which then forms SAMe again.

Minerals including magnesium, zinc, iron, selenium and iodine also play important roles as cofactors involved in healthy methylation.

A healthy gut microbiome is essential for efficient breakdown of food and assimilation of nutrients. Probiotics and fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut and yogurt can help to support a balanced microbiome.

Stress can significantly impair normal DNA methylation by triggering oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways. Yoga, meditation and gentle daily exercise can reduce activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.