6 Signs Your Methylation Cycle Is Operating Suboptimally

Methylation is confusing, to say the least. With global implications that affect just about every cell, organ, and system in the body, there's no doubt that this biochemical process is important—but how can we tell if our methylation cycle is operating as it should? 

It turns out that even folks with an MTHFR gene variant who are more prone to methylation challenges, aka inefficiencies, can go decades (or even a lifetime) without realizing they have an MTHFR enzyme that operates suboptimally. 

Functional medicine doctor Jill Carnahan, M.D., IFMCP, says that folks with MTHFR gene variants can have a 30% to 60% reduction in their MTHFR enzyme function and not notice because the signs are so subtle and our bodies are so resilient. 

"We can go a lot of years and not notice a lot of effects or issues. We might notice, 'Oh, I have trouble with this,' or 'I feel down sometimes'—but who doesn't, right? The signs are vague enough because they affect so many systems that it would be hard to say [suboptimal methylation] is the one cause—it's usually multifactorial," Carnahan explains.

Methylation affects energy metabolism in a big way—largely due to the key role B vitamins play in the methylation cycle. These essential nutrients act as coenzymes in energy metabolism1, so not getting enough of them can affect healthy methylation and overall energy levels.*

"If you're more prone to mood or sleep challenges, that absolutely would be a reason to look into this pathway," says Carnahan. This is thanks to those oh-so-important B vitamins and their vital role in neurotransmitter production—such as serotonin and oxytocin, aka the "happy" and "love" hormones. 

High homocysteine levels are a telltale sign of subpar methylation and make a strong case for genetic influence. This biomarker indicates that homocysteine is getting "stuck" in the methylation cycle due to a shortage of active folate (5-MTHF)—something that folks with an MTHFR gene variant struggle to produce adequate amounts of. 

If you haven't picked up on it by now, B vitamins are vital to a healthy methylation cycle.* They play a role in everything from cognitive function and energy balance to mood and stress management.* 

Considering proteins are the building blocks of life (thank you, eighth-grade science class!), any protein-related challenges can affect a myriad of systems and functions—including muscle mass or strength, collagen levels, hormone balance, and antibody levels (hello, immune resilience).

Methylation greatly affects the body's natural detox pathways, so an abundance of stressors like toxins in the body may mean your methylation needs some TLC. Carnahan explains that sensitivity to chemicals, mold, or other modern toxins may indicate that your detoxification system is taxed (due to suboptimal methylation or a number of other reasons). 

We've seen all the signs that methylation might not be top-notch, but what does healthy methylation look like?

There you have it—subpar methylation can manifest in many ways and affect a number of physiological systems, and healthy methylation is worth striving for to promote overall health and well-being.