Methylation Profile
Your methylation profile describes your body's ability to regulate methylation, a vital process affecting DNA repair, detoxification, neurotransmitter balance, and cardiovascular health. Imbalances can result in undermethylation which is linked to high histamine, detox challenges, and depression, or overmethylation which is associated with low histamine, anxiety, and mood instability. Poor methylation may also elevate homocysteine levels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and impaired cognitive function.
Genetic Methylation Genes
This genetic methylation test includes the essential MTHFR, COMT, MTRR, MTR, MTHFD1, AHCY, PEMT and CBS methylation genes. Knowing your methylation genotype can uncover needs for nutritional support such as amino acids, vitamins, and minerals and help guide dietary and lifestyle treatment plans.
This cheek swab test measures:
Cardiovascular Health
Methylation plays a key role in cardiovascular health by regulating processes essential for heart and blood vessel function. Methylation also helps produce nitric oxide which relaxes blood vessels to improve blood flow, supports fat metabolism and repairs cardiovascular cells. Methylation defects (specifically MTHFR, MTR, MTRR or CBS) can raise blood homocysteine levels - homocysteine is an inflammatory byproduct with no useful role in the body. Elevated levels of homocysteine can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, and in rare cases drive whole-body inflammation.
Cognitive Function
Methylation is essential for brain health through its effects on neurotransmitter production, brain cell repair, and inflammation regulation. Elevated homocysteine levels are linked to brain inflammation, oxidative stress, and an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases. This test highlights genetic inefficiencies in these areas, helping you understand your risk factors for cognitive decline or chronic inflammation.
Emotional & Psychological Wellbeing
Methylation is essential for balancing neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline, which regulate mood, memory, and focus. Variations in methylation genes - such as COMT and MTHFR - may affect these pathways, leading to anxiety, depression, or brain fog. Optimising intake of B vitamins, methylated folate, or dietary and lifestyle changes may support neurotransmitter balance and brain health.
Sleep & Restorative Health
Sleep onset, maintenance and quality can be influenced by genetic variations in the PEMT and COMT genes. These genes play crucial roles in neurotransmitter regulation and sleep-wake cycles. Variations in these genes can disrupt neurotransmitter balance, leading to difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep.
Knowing your genetic profile can help you optimise your nutrient intake and lifestyle to enhance sleep quality.
Nutrition & Gut Health
Methylation supports gut health by regulating the genes involved in digestion, inflammation, and gut barrier function. Proper methylation helps maintain the integrity of the intestinal lining, preventing "leaky gut". Methylation also influences the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which play a key role in gut-brain communication. Impaired methylation can lead to inflammation, increased nutrient demand, poor nutrient absorption, and imbalances in the gut microbiome, affecting overall digestive health.
Energy Production & Detoxification
Methylation is crucial for energy production as it influences the function of mitochondria, the cell's powerhouses. Methylation defects can impair mitochondrial function, leading to reduced energy production and fatigue. Methylation also plays a vital role in detoxification processes, particularly in the liver - genetic variations can compromise the liver's ability to efficiently eliminate toxins, causing their accumulation and potential health issues.
Immune Health & Inflammation
Methylation plays a crucial role in regulating immune response and cellular repair. Abnormal methylation patterns can disrupt immune regulation, causing the body to attack its own tissues and contributing to autoimmune diseases. Poor methylation can also reduce the body’s ability to combat oxidative stress, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. Identifying genetic variations that affect methylation helps assess your predisposition to inflammatory, autoimmune, and oxidative stress-related conditions.
