Today we are going to discuss something that is the buzzword in the wellness industry; Methylated multivitamins. You could have spotted them on the shelves or a friend of yours who is health conscious may have mentioned them.
They resemble your regular multivitamin, only they promise something new, a form that already exists and you do not need to convert it to be used by your body.
However, what does that entail and might it be the key to being more energized and balanced? Here we will deconstruct it, what is the science of methylation and who could that be most beneficial to.
What is Methylation?
Imagine that methylation is your body-wide logistics company that is worth billions of dollars. It is a basic biochemical reaction in which a small molecule known as a methyl group (one carbon, three hydrogen atoms) is circulated through just about every part of your body.
This process involves :
· Making Energy: Using the food you eat to make the fuel you use.
· Repair of your DNA: keep your cells tidy.
· Detoxifying: Assisting your liver to process and get rid of the toxins.
· Mood regulation: synthesizing and regulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.
· Supporting Immunity: Having a normal amount of immunity.
The point is that methylation is a huge thing. It is occurring millions of times a second to make you healthy and strong!
MTHFR Genetic Twist
The extent to which you can efficiently carry out methylation depends heavily on your genetics, a specific gene known as Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase.
This gene contains the instructions to make an enzyme that changes folate and folic acid into their active form, 5-MTHF (or L-Methylfolate). It is this active form that initiates the whole process of methylation.
But a big percentage of the population, some estimates indicate up to 40-60 percent of the population, carries a variation in this MTHFR gene. Their bodies are not as efficient in the production of that active form of folate, this variant. The key is similar a fit to the lock, only a little bent, and requires much jiggling to operate.
Methylated Multivitamin Introduction: The Prepared Multivitamin Benefit.
Here methylated multivitamins come into the picture. Synthetic folic acid and cyanocobalamin (a form of B12) may be found in a typical multivitamin.
When these are combined with an MTHFR variant, you are forced to hard work to break them down to their active forms (L-Methylfolate and Methylcobalamin).
A methylated multivitamin bypasses that conversion process. It gives the vitamins that are already active and in their methylated form, e.g.:
· L-Methylfolate (not Folic Acid): the active form of Vitamin B9.
Methylcobalamin (rather than Cyanocobalamin): This is the active form of Vitamin B12.
a common multivitamin provides you with materials to create a key. A methylated multi vitamin provides you with the key itself, one that has been cut to the point of unlocking a door.
Who Might Benefit the Most?
Although anyone can use a more bioavailable vitamin to feel better, methylated multis are especially helpful with:
· Carriers of a known MTHFR variant of the gene.
· Individuals who have been feeling blah or tired after taking normal multivitamins. (This may be an indication that they are not converting the synthetic forms efficiently).
· People with low energy, brain fog, or mood imbalances that do not respond to other interventions.
Pregnant women or those intending to be pregnant in the near future; such women should have an adequate folate status because it is vital to the fetus development.
Warning!
Since the methylated vitamins are very bioavailable, they can be very potent. Some people, particularly those who are extremely sensitive or possess other genetic differences, at first find it somewhat overwhelming taking a high dose. Sometimes it causes jitteriness, anxiety, or even headaches as the body adapts to a sudden increase in the levels of methylation.
That is the reason why it is frequently suggested that you should begin low and go slow. New to them, then take half a dose and watch how your body reacts, and then gradually increase.
Is It Right For You?
Methylated multivitamins are an excellent step into individual nutrition. They recognize that we are all genetically different and one size does not necessarily fit all when it comes to supplements.
When you have had trouble with energy, mood, or anything out of the ordinary even with a so-called healthy routine, the problem may not be the food you are eating, but the way your body is metabolizing it.
Conclusion
It is not a magic pill, but to many of you, it is the missing link. It makes the raw materials available to your body in a way that it can actually utilize them in supporting the necessary processes in the body.
As usual, the most effective thing to begin with is a discussion. Think of meeting with a functional medicine doctor or an informed medical practitioner.
They can help you make sense of your symptoms and, they may even suggest that you get genetic testing to determine whether a methylated multivitamins may aid you in unlocking your optimum health.
