Methylation is a fundamental biochemical process that regulates gene expression and protein function, contributing to various aspects of cellular and organismal biology. It’s a key mechanism through which cells respond to their environment, maintain identity, and adapt to changes. Research in methylation continues to provide insights into health, disease, and the intricate interplay between genetics and the environment.

3 Analytes Tested

1. MTHFR
2. MTRR
3. COMT

12 Blood Analytes Tested

1. Homocysteine
2. Iron
3. Magnesium
4. Potassium
5. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
6. Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
7. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
8. Vitamin B9 (Folate)
9. Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
10. Methyl B12
11. Vitamin D 25-OH
12. Zinc

MTHFR (Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase) is a gene that encodes an enzyme involved in the folate metabolism pathway, which plays a critical role in providing one-carbon units necessary for various biochemical reactions, including methylation. Variants of the MTHFR gene can influence the efficiency of this enzyme and impact methylation processes in the body.

1. Folate Metabolism: The MTHFR enzyme converts 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (5,10-MTHF) to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), the primary circulating form of folate in the body. 5-MTHF is a key methyl donor for methylation reactions, including DNA methylation.
2. Methyl Donor Production: One of the primary functions of the MTHFR enzyme is to generate 5-MTHF, which serves as a key source of methyl groups for methylation reactions. Adequate levels of 5-MTHF are crucial for maintaining proper methylation processes.
3. Homocysteine Metabolism: MTHFR plays a role in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine. Variants of the MTHFR gene, such as the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms, can lead to reduced enzyme activity and potentially result in elevated levels of homocysteine. Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with disrupted methylation patterns and increased risk of certain health conditions.
4. DNA Methylation: Proper methylation reactions, including DNA methylation, are essential for gene expression regulation and cellular function. Adequate folate metabolism, driven in part by MTHFR activity, is necessary for maintaining appropriate DNA methylation patterns.
5. Health Implications: Variants of the MTHFR gene that result in reduced enzyme activity can affect folate metabolism and impact methylation processes. These variants have been associated with various health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, neural tube defects, and certain neurological disorders.
6. Individual Variability: Genetic variations in the MTHFR gene can lead to different levels of enzyme activity and folate metabolism efficiency among individuals. These variations can influence an individual’s ability to provide methyl groups for methylation reactions.
7. Nutrient Interactions: Adequate intake of nutrients such as folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 is important for supporting proper MTHFR function and maintaining optimal methylation processes.

In summary, MTHFR is a gene that plays a significant role in the folate metabolism pathway, providing methyl groups for methylation reactions, including DNA methylation. Variants of the MTHFR gene can impact enzyme activity and folate metabolism efficiency, potentially affecting methylation patterns and contributing to various health outcomes. It’s important to note that while MTHFR variants can influence individual responses, they are only one factor among many that contribute to the complex processes of methylation and health.

The MTRR (5-Methyltetrahydrofolate-Homocysteine Methyltransferase Reductase) gene encodes an enzyme that is part of the folate metabolism pathway, which plays a critical role in providing one-carbon units necessary for various biochemical reactions, including methylation. The MTRR enzyme is involved in the conversion of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) to tetrahydrofolate (THF), which is an essential step in the methionine cycle and homocysteine metabolism.

1. Folate Metabolism: The MTRR enzyme is responsible for regenerating tetrahydrofolate (THF) from 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). THF is a key substrate that provides one-carbon units for various biochemical reactions, including methylation.
2. Methyl Donor Generation: The conversion of 5-MTHF to THF by the MTRR enzyme is essential for maintaining a proper balance of folate derivatives that serve as methyl donors for methylation reactions, including DNA methylation.
3. Homocysteine Metabolism: The MTRR enzyme contributes to homocysteine metabolism by ensuring the availability of THF for reactions that convert homocysteine to methionine. Proper homocysteine metabolism is important for maintaining methionine levels, a precursor for methyl group donation.
4. DNA Methylation: Proper methylation reactions, including DNA methylation, are critical for gene expression regulation and cellular function. Adequate THF availability, supported by the activity of the MTRR enzyme, is necessary for maintaining optimal DNA methylation patterns.
5. Health Implications: Variants of the MTRR gene can influence enzyme activity and folate metabolism efficiency. These variants have been associated with altered homocysteine levels and potential impacts on methylation patterns, which can contribute to various health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases and neural tube defects.
6. Interactions with Other Genes: The MTRR gene’s activity is interconnected with other genes in the folate and methionine cycles, such as MTHFR and other enzymes involved in the pathways. Variations in these genes can collectively influence the availability of methyl donors for methylation reactions.
7. Nutrient Interactions: Adequate intake of nutrients such as folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 is important for supporting proper MTRR function and maintaining optimal methylation processes.

In summary, the MTRR gene is an essential component of the folate metabolism pathway, contributing to the generation of THF and the proper balance of methyl donors for methylation reactions. Variants of the MTRR gene can influence enzyme activity and folate metabolism, potentially affecting methylation patterns and contributing to various health outcomes. As with other genes involved in methylation, MTRR’s impact on health is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

The COMT (Catechol-O-Methyltransferase) gene encodes an enzyme that plays a role in the breakdown of catecholamines, which are neurotransmitters such as dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Variations in the COMT gene have been associated with differences in enzyme activity and neurotransmitter metabolism. This gene is interesting in the context of methylation because it has a functional genetic variant that affects its activity, and epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, can also influence its expression.

1. Catecholamine Metabolism: The COMT enzyme is responsible for breaking down catecholamines by transferring a methyl group (methylation) to these molecules. This methylation process leads to the inactivation of catecholamines, influencing neurotransmitter levels in the brain.
2. Genetic Variants: The COMT gene has a well-known genetic variant called Val158Met (or rs4680), which results in different enzyme activity levels. The Val/Val genotype is associated with higher COMT enzyme activity, while the Met/Met genotype is associated with lower activity. The Val/Met genotype falls in between.
3. Methylation and Expression: Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, can influence the expression of the COMT gene. Methylation patterns at specific regions of the gene can impact its transcription and ultimately affect enzyme levels and activity.
4. Neurotransmitter Balance: The activity of the COMT enzyme affects the balance of neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine. Genetic variations and epigenetic changes that influence COMT activity can impact dopamine availability, which in turn can influence cognitive function, mood regulation, and more.
5. Mental Health and Behavior: Variations in the COMT gene have been associated with differences in cognitive function, response to stress, and susceptibility to various neuropsychiatric conditions, including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
6. Gene-Environment Interaction: The relationship between COMT genetic variants, DNA methylation, and phenotypic outcomes can be influenced by environmental factors such as stress, nutrition, and exposure to toxins.

In summary, the COMT gene is involved in neurotransmitter metabolism, particularly dopamine, and its activity can be influenced by both genetic variations and epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation. This gene has been linked to various neuropsychiatric conditions and cognitive traits, with the interplay between genetic and epigenetic factors contributing to individual variability in these traits and susceptibility to certain disorders.

Homocysteine and methylation are closely interconnected in the body through a series of biochemical reactions known as one-carbon metabolism. Homocysteine is an amino acid that is produced during the metabolism of another amino acid called methionine. Methylation involves the transfer of a methyl group (CH3) from one molecule to another and is crucial for a variety of cellular processes, including gene expression, protein function, and more.

1. Homocysteine as an Intermediate: Homocysteine is an intermediate compound produced during the conversion of methionine to cysteine. This conversion is part of the sulfur amino acid metabolism pathway. The enzyme methionine synthase converts homocysteine back to methionine, using a methyl group derived from another molecule, usually methylcobalamin (active vitamin B12).
2. Methyl Donors and Methylation: Methylation reactions involve the transfer of methyl groups from methyl donors to target molecules. Methyl donors include molecules like S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), which is synthesized from methionine. The transfer of the methyl group from SAM to other molecules is a key step in many methylation reactions.
3. SAM and DNA Methylation: S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is the primary methyl donor for DNA methylation reactions. In DNA methylation, a methyl group from SAM is added to cytosine bases in the DNA molecule, leading to changes in gene expression patterns. SAM is synthesized from methionine, and its availability depends on the recycling of homocysteine back to methionine.
4. Methionine Synthase and Methylation: The enzyme methionine synthase, which uses methylcobalamin (active B12) as a cofactor, converts homocysteine to methionine. This reaction is essential for maintaining the pool of methionine, which is required for the synthesis of SAM and other molecules involved in methylation processes.
5. Folate and Vitamin B6: Methionine synthase activity is dependent on the availability of folate (vitamin B9) and vitamin B6. Folate is necessary for supplying methyl groups to the methionine synthase reaction, and vitamin B6 is involved in the conversion of homocysteine to cysteine, another sulfur amino acid.
6. Health Implications: Elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood (hyperhomocysteinemia) are associated with various health issues, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and birth defects. Adequate methylation processes are crucial for maintaining healthy homocysteine levels and preventing associated health problems.

In summary, homocysteine and methylation are interconnected through the one-carbon metabolism pathway. Homocysteine is an intermediate in this pathway, and its proper conversion back to methionine is essential for providing methyl groups for methylation reactions, including DNA methylation. Proper methylation processes are important for maintaining cellular function, gene expression, and overall health.

Iron plays a pivotal role in numerous physiological processes, including the critical pathway of methylation. Methylation is a biochemical reaction involving the transfer of a methyl group (CH3) onto amino acids, proteins, enzymes, and DNA in every cell and tissue of the body. This process is essential for a wide range of biological functions, such as gene expression, DNA repair, and the detoxification of heavy metals and other harmful substances.

Iron is a component of methionine synthase, an enzyme necessary for the biosynthesis of methionine, an amino acid that is a common methyl donor in the body. Therefore, adequate iron levels are crucial for the proper functioning of methylation processes. Disruptions in iron homeostasis can lead to methylation deficiencies, which in turn may contribute to various health issues including anemia, neurological disorders, and impaired DNA synthesis and repair.

Understanding the interplay between iron levels and methylation pathways is essential for developing strategies to address related health concerns and improve overall wellbeing.

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in various biochemical processes in the body, including those related to methylation. While magnesium itself is not a direct methyl donor, it influences several aspects of cellular metabolism and enzyme activity that can impact methylation processes. 

1. Enzyme Cofactor: Magnesium serves as a cofactor for numerous enzymes involved in metabolic reactions, including those within the one-carbon metabolism pathway. One-carbon metabolism provides the methyl groups necessary for various methylation reactions. Magnesium’s role as a cofactor is essential for the proper functioning of these enzymes.
2. Methyl Group Transfer: While magnesium doesn’t directly donate methyl groups, it facilitates enzyme activity that indirectly supports methylation reactions. Many enzymes involved in methylation require magnesium for their proper activity, allowing for the efficient transfer of methyl groups from donor molecules to target molecules.
3. One-Carbon Metabolism: Magnesium is involved in several reactions within the one-carbon metabolism pathway, which provides the one-carbon units required for methylation reactions. These reactions include the conversion of homocysteine to methionine, a precursor for methyl group donation.
4. DNA Methylation and Gene Expression: Proper methylation reactions, including DNA methylation, are crucial for gene expression regulation. Magnesium’s involvement in supporting enzyme activity within methylation pathways indirectly affects DNA methylation patterns and gene expression patterns.
5. Cellular Health: Magnesium is important for overall cellular health and function. Methylation reactions contribute to various cellular processes, including DNA repair, neurotransmitter synthesis, and metabolism. Magnesium’s role in enzyme activity indirectly supports these processes.
6. Nutrient Interactions: Magnesium interacts with other nutrients that are involved in methylation processes. For example, magnesium and vitamin B6 are required for the conversion of homocysteine to cysteine, an amino acid important for methionine metabolism.
7. Stress Response: Magnesium is involved in regulating the body’s stress response. Chronic stress can influence methylation patterns, and magnesium’s role in stress regulation could indirectly affect methylation processes under stress conditions.

In summary, while magnesium itself is not a methyl donor, its role as a cofactor for enzymes involved in methylation-related pathways is critical for supporting efficient methylation reactions. Magnesium contributes to the overall balance and functionality of cellular metabolism, which in turn impacts DNA methylation, gene expression, and various cellular processes. Ensuring an adequate intake of magnesium through diet or supplementation can support proper methylation processes and overall cellular health.

Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, is a critical nutrient that plays an essential role in the body’s methylation processes. Methylation is a biochemical process involving the transfer of a methyl group (CH3) to amino acids, proteins, enzymes, and DNA, which is vital for numerous cellular functions.

Vitamin B2 serves as a precursor for the synthesis of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN), both of which are coenzymes that are integral to a variety of biochemical reactions. Among these reactions, FAD and FMN are crucial for the function of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate in the methylation cycle. This reaction is a key step in the synthesis of methionine from homocysteine.

Methionine is an essential amino acid that is subsequently converted to S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), the principal methyl donor in the methylation of DNA, RNA, proteins, and lipids. Thus, adequate levels of Vitamin B2 are critical for maintaining the proper function of these pathways, as it supports the enzymatic reactions necessary for effective methylation.

Inadequate intake or absorption of Vitamin B2 can disrupt these processes, potentially leading to a decrease in the production of SAMe and subsequently affecting the methylation cycle. This has implications for numerous physiological processes, including gene expression, neurotransmitter synthesis, and energy metabolism.

Therefore, understanding the nutritional importance of Vitamin B2 and its relationship with the methylation cycle can have profound implications for health and disease prevention. Clinically, ensuring sufficient riboflavin intake may be a significant consideration in the management of conditions associated with impaired methylation, such as cardiovascular diseases and certain neurological disorders.

This explanation integrates the role of Vitamin B2 in the broader context of methylation and its significance to health, providing a clear understanding of its importance in biochemical processes.

Vitamin B3, known in its various forms as niacin, niacinamide, or nicotinamide, is another B-complex vitamin that is important in the body’s methylation processes. While Vitamin B3 itself is not a methyl donor, it is essential for the synthesis of cofactors NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and NADP (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate), which are vital for many reactions in the body, including those involving methylation.

Vitamin B3 is integral to the generation and maintenance of NAD and NADP, essential cofactors in cellular redox reactions and broader metabolic activities. These coenzymes participate in hundreds of reactions, including those that govern the body’s methylation cycle. Although not direct participants in the transfer of methyl groups, NAD and NADP are involved in reactions that produce and regenerate the active forms of other vitamins involved in methylation, such as folate and Vitamin B12.

Specifically, NAD-dependent dehydrogenase enzymes are pivotal in one-carbon metabolism, wherein they contribute to the synthesis of molecules like 5,10-methylene-tetrahydrofolate, which is subsequently used for the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. The methionine so formed is the precursor to S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), the primary methyl group donor in numerous methylation reactions, including DNA, RNA, and protein methylation.

Deficiency in Vitamin B3 can impair the body’s redox reactions and, by extension, can indirectly influence the methylation cycle due to suboptimal levels of NAD and NADP. This can lead to a reduced capacity for methylation which may contribute to genomic instability and altered gene expression, affecting overall health and predisposing to disease states.

Clinically, ensuring adequate levels of Vitamin B3 is crucial for supporting the body’s methylation processes and overall metabolic health. The nuanced understanding of Vitamin B3’s role in metabolic pathways underscores the complexity of nutrient interactions within the methylation cycle and highlights the significance of balanced nutrition in maintaining physiological homeostasis and preventing disease.

This summary captures the indirect but significant role Vitamin B3 plays in supporting the body’s methylation capacity and its broader implications for health and metabolic balance.

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in various biochemical processes in the body, including those related to methylation. While vitamin B6 itself is not a direct methyl donor, it is involved in several enzymatic reactions that support methylation processes.

1. Coenzyme in Enzymatic Reactions: Vitamin B6 exists in several forms, including pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine, along with their phosphorylated derivatives. These forms serve as coenzymes for numerous enzymes involved in amino acid metabolism, including those within the one-carbon metabolism pathway. One-carbon metabolism provides the one-carbon units (methyl groups) necessary for methylation reactions.
2. Homocysteine Metabolism: Vitamin B6 is required for the conversion of homocysteine to cysteine, an essential amino acid. This reaction, which involves the enzyme cystathionine beta-synthase, contributes to sulfur amino acid metabolism and influences the levels of homocysteine. Proper homocysteine metabolism is important for maintaining methionine levels, a precursor for methyl group donation.
3. Gene Expression Regulation: Vitamin B6 supports the activity of enzymes involved in amino acid metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and other cellular processes. These processes indirectly impact gene expression and cellular function, including processes that involve methylation.
4. Methyl Group Transfer: While vitamin B6 doesn’t directly donate methyl groups, it supports the activity of enzymes that play key roles in transferring methyl groups between molecules. These enzymes are essential for maintaining the balance of methyl groups required for various cellular processes, including methylation.
5. Neurotransmitter Synthesis: Vitamin B6 is involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Proper neurotransmitter synthesis indirectly affects methylation reactions, which contribute to overall brain health and function.
6. Health Implications: Vitamin B6 deficiency can lead to various health issues, including neurological problems and cardiovascular risk factors. These issues can be related to disruptions in methylation processes, neurotransmitter synthesis, and amino acid metabolism.
7. Homocysteine and Methylation: Homocysteine is an intermediate in one-carbon metabolism that can be remethylated to form methionine or converted to other compounds. Vitamin B6 is involved in the remethylation of homocysteine, which is important for maintaining the availability of methyl groups for methylation reactions.

In summary, while vitamin B6 is not a direct methyl donor, it plays a crucial role in supporting enzymatic reactions that are involved in methylation-related pathways. Vitamin B6 contributes to the overall balance of methyl groups in the body, influences gene expression, and supports various cellular processes that indirectly impact methylation. Ensuring an adequate intake of vitamin B6 through diet or supplementation can help support proper methylation processes and overall cellular health.

Folate and methylation are closely interconnected processes in the body. Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is a water-soluble B-vitamin that plays a critical role in providing one-carbon units necessary for various biochemical reactions, including DNA methylation.

1. One-Carbon Metabolism: Folate is an essential component of one-carbon metabolism, a complex network of biochemical reactions that involve the transfer of one-carbon units (methyl groups) for various cellular processes. Folate acts as a carrier of these one-carbon units and participates in reactions that involve the synthesis of DNA, RNA, amino acids, and other molecules.
2. Methylation Reactions: Folate is essential for providing methyl groups (CH3) for methylation reactions. Methyl groups are transferred from folate to various molecules, including DNA, proteins, and lipids. In DNA methylation, folate provides the methyl groups necessary for the addition of methyl groups to cytosine bases, leading to changes in gene expression patterns.
3. DNA Methylation: DNA methylation is a key epigenetic modification that involves the addition of a methyl group to DNA. Folate is required for the synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), a molecule that donates methyl groups for DNA methylation reactions. Adequate folate levels are crucial for maintaining proper DNA methylation patterns and regulating gene expression.
4. Health and Disease: Folate deficiency can lead to impaired DNA methylation and disruption of various cellular processes. Inadequate folate levels are associated with changes in gene expression, which can contribute to developmental disorders, cardiovascular diseases, neural tube defects, and other health issues.
5. Epigenetic Regulation: DNA methylation, regulated by folate availability, is an important mechanism of epigenetic regulation. It influences gene expression patterns and cellular identity, and changes in DNA methylation can have long-lasting effects on health and disease susceptibility.
6. Methyl Donor Pool: Folate contributes to the methyl donor pool necessary for various methylation reactions, not only in DNA but also in other molecules. These reactions are crucial for maintaining cellular function and homeostasis.
7. Folate Supplementation: Adequate folate intake, either through dietary sources or supplements, is important for supporting DNA methylation processes and overall health. Folate supplementation is recommended during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects in the developing fetus.

In summary, folate is a key player in one-carbon metabolism and methylation reactions, particularly in DNA methylation. It provides the necessary methyl groups for various biochemical processes, influencing gene expression, cellular function, and overall health. Maintaining adequate folate levels is crucial for supporting proper DNA methylation patterns and preventing associated health issues.

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, plays a vital role in various biochemical processes in the body, including methylation. Methylation is a crucial mechanism for regulating gene expression, protein function, and various cellular processes. Vitamin B12 is particularly important for providing a methyl group (CH3) that is used in methylation reactions.

1. One-Carbon Metabolism: Vitamin B12 is an essential cofactor in the one-carbon metabolism pathway, which involves the transfer of one-carbon units (methyl groups) for various biochemical reactions. This pathway is responsible for DNA synthesis, amino acid metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and more.
2. Methionine Synthesis: Vitamin B12 is required for the conversion of homocysteine to methionine. Methionine is an essential amino acid that serves as the precursor for S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), a molecule that donates methyl groups for methylation reactions.
3. DNA Methylation: SAM, generated from methionine with the help of vitamin B12, is a primary methyl donor for DNA methylation reactions. DNA methylation involves the addition of a methyl group to DNA molecules, which can influence gene expression patterns and cellular function.
4. Epigenetic Regulation: Proper DNA methylation is essential for epigenetic regulation, influencing which genes are turned on or off. Vitamin B12 deficiency can disrupt DNA methylation patterns, leading to changes in gene expression that can contribute to various health issues.
5. Cellular Function: Vitamin B12 deficiency can impair methylation reactions, affecting cellular processes like neurotransmitter synthesis, myelin formation (important for nerve function), and homocysteine metabolism.
6. Health Implications: Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to elevated levels of homocysteine, a molecule associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. These health issues can be related to impaired methylation processes.
7. Neurological Health: Adequate vitamin B12 levels are crucial for maintaining healthy nerves and preventing neurological disorders. Methylation processes are involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters and the maintenance of nerve cells.
8. Methylmalonic Acid (MMA) Metabolism: Vitamin B12 is also involved in the conversion of methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA. Accumulation of methylmalonic acid is an indicator of vitamin B12 deficiency and can affect cellular energy production.

In summary, vitamin B12 is a critical factor in supporting methylation reactions through its involvement in one-carbon metabolism and the synthesis of methyl donors like SAM. Proper methylation is essential for gene expression, cellular function, and overall health. Maintaining adequate vitamin B12 levels is crucial for ensuring proper methylation processes and preventing associated health issues.

Active B12, also known as methylcobalamin, is a biologically active form of vitamin B12. It plays a significant role in various biochemical processes in the body, including those related to methylation. Active B12 is a coenzyme that participates in reactions that involve the transfer of one-carbon units (methyl groups), which are essential for methylation processes.

1. One-Carbon Metabolism: Active B12 is a crucial cofactor in the one-carbon metabolism pathway, which provides the methyl groups necessary for various biochemical reactions, including methylation. The one-carbon units are transferred from molecules like tetrahydrofolate (THF) to other molecules, supporting DNA synthesis, amino acid metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and more.
2. Homocysteine Metabolism: Active B12 is involved in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine, an essential amino acid. This reaction, along with the involvement of other B-vitamins such as folate and vitamin B6, contributes to sulfur amino acid metabolism and the recycling of homocysteine. Proper homocysteine metabolism is important for maintaining methionine levels, a precursor for methyl group donation.
3. Methyl Group Transfer: Active B12 participates in reactions that involve the transfer of methyl groups from one molecule to another. This includes the transfer of methyl groups to substrates like methionine synthase and methionine synthase reductase, which are involved in recycling homocysteine and supporting methylation reactions.
4. DNA Methylation: Active B12 indirectly supports DNA methylation by ensuring the availability of methyl groups for the addition of methyl groups to DNA molecules. Adequate levels of active B12 are important for maintaining proper DNA methylation patterns, which influence gene expression and cellular function.
5. Neurological Health: Active B12 is particularly important for neurological health. It supports myelin formation, which is essential for nerve function, and plays a role in neurotransmitter synthesis. Methylation processes supported by active B12 contribute to the synthesis of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.
6. Health Implications: Active B12 deficiency can lead to a range of health issues, including neurological problems, anemia, and cardiovascular risk factors. These issues can be related to disruptions in methylation processes, homocysteine metabolism, and neurotransmitter synthesis.
7. Methylation Support: Active B12 supplementation can be beneficial for individuals with methylation-related genetic variations, such as MTHFR mutations, which can impact the efficiency of methylation reactions. Supplementation can help ensure adequate methyl group availability for various biochemical processes.

In summary, active B12 (methylcobalamin) is a critical coenzyme in supporting methylation processes. It facilitates the transfer of methyl groups in reactions that are essential for DNA methylation, neurotransmitter synthesis, homocysteine metabolism, and overall cellular function. Ensuring sufficient levels of active B12 through diet, supplements, or injections is important for supporting proper methylation and maintaining optimal health.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in maintaining bone health, regulating calcium levels, and supporting immune function. It is obtained through sun exposure, dietary sources, and supplements. Vitamin D is converted in the body into its active form, calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D), which acts as a hormone that interacts with vitamin D receptors (VDRs) in various tissues.

Zinc is a trace mineral that is vital for many biological functions, including DNA synthesis, immune function, and cellular metabolism. It is also an important factor in the body’s methylation processes.

Zinc is a crucial trace element that serves as a cofactor for over 300 enzymes involved in various physiological processes, including those associated with DNA synthesis, cell division, and methylation. Methylation is a critical epigenetic mechanism used by cells to control gene expression, maintain DNA integrity, and allow for proper embryonic development, among other functions.

Within the context of methylation, zinc’s role is multifaceted. It is a key component of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), which are enzymes directly involved in the addition of methyl groups to the DNA molecule, thus affecting gene expression. The proper function of DNMTs is essential for the methylation of cytosine bases in DNA, which in turn regulates gene activity and genomic stability.

Furthermore, zinc contributes to the structural integrity and conformation of proteins and enzymes that facilitate the availability of molecules like folate and Vitamin B12 in their active forms, which are required for the production of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe). SAMe is the primary methyl donor for numerous methylation reactions throughout the body.

A deficiency in zinc can result in the impaired activity of these critical enzymes, potentially leading to aberrant patterns of DNA methylation and gene expression. Such dysregulation has been implicated in a range of pathological states, including immunodeficiencies, neurological disorders, and various forms of cancer.

Clinically, zinc status is therefore an essential consideration in the evaluation of methylation-related dysfunctions and overall health. Adequate zinc nutrition is important not only for the direct catalytic action it has on DNA methylation but also for maintaining the structural stability of methylation-related enzymes and proteins.

The intricate interplay between zinc and methylation underscores the mineral’s importance beyond its traditional roles, highlighting its significance in genetic and epigenetic regulation. Recognizing this, nutritional interventions and assessments often include zinc as a key factor in the maintenance of optimal methylation processes.

In summary, zinc plays a supportive but vital role in the methylation process by maintaining the structure and function of methylation-related enzymes and influencing gene expression and genomic stability.

• Buccal Swab
• SST tube of blood

7 – 10 days

Gene Test: Price: $149.00

Blood Analytes Test: Price: $249.00