Your Genes Aren’t Broken,
They’re Just Asking for Support.
Unlock the power of methylation and discover how whole food nutrition, like microalgae, can help your body thrive, even with genetic SNPs.
How do genes express themselves?
In recent years, the topic of genetic SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) has come online, bringing a voice to nuanced topics that tend to fly under the radar. SNPs are essentially “typos” that happen during DNA replication, resulting in the wrong nucleotide getting copied. In order for a SNP to be identified, at least 1% of the population has to have the same variation.1 When it comes to tracking diseases, researchers will place thousands of individuals with the same disease together, to identify whether there is a common genetic SNP that may contribute to the shared disease.2 Along with inheritable disease identification, SNPs can help practitioners understand how an individual might respond to a medication, and as of recently, they can help practitioners identify ways that the body is harnessing nutrients through its effect on methylation.
What is methylation?
Methylation is the transfer of a methyl group from an enzyme to a gene. What this means is that a specific molecule in an enzyme can act in either turning on or off a specific gene. If the gene is turned on, an individual may better be able to utilize specific nutrients. However, if the gene is turned off, an individual may struggle to properly utilize various nutrients. Furthermore, if somebody has a genetic SNP, their methylation may be disrupted by a lack of access to specific genes or some other type of barrier causing hiccups in methylation patterns. Why is this important? Methylation is central to almost all aspects of our overall health, including neurological health, mental health, pain management, and detoxification. For example, lupus, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s are all examples of how disrupted methylation patterns may show up.
"Methylation is the switchboard of your health, either lighting you up or leaving you in the dark.”
Proper methylation is essential for environmental detoxification. Genetic SNPs may increase or reduce the availability of enzymes necessary for effective detoxification. This is due to the importance of methylation on phase II liver detox. During this phase, the liver converts fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble toxins to be flushed out of the body. Conversely, environmental toxins may prevent proper phase II liver detox. Here’s how:
- On top of SNPs creating variation in enzyme activity, environmental toxins can come in and either inhibit or induce enzyme activity.3
- In addition to environmental factors, a lack of nutrient rich crops can deplete the necessary cofactors for phase II detox.3
- Environmental toxins contribute to oxidative stress within our bodies, resulting in our detox system getting bogged down and potentially damaging our liver cells. 3
How do we support methylation? If you are feeling unwell due to under-methylation issues, supporting methylation is essential for you. The key components for proper methylation include phase II liver support, with an emphasis on supporting mitochondrial function. Known as the “powerhouse of the cell”, mitochondria are what convert the nutrients that we’re consuming to ATP, or energy, for our bodies to carry out cellular processes. Emphasizing the following whole foods has been shown to boost methylation and help those under-methylating to feel better:
- Leafy greens (swiss chard, spinach, collard greens, etc)
- Cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, kale, brussels sprouts, etc)
- Omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, avocados, coconut oil, etc)
- Nuts and seeds (pumpkin/flax/chia seeds, brazil nuts, almonds, etc)
- High-antioxidant fruits (berries, pomegranate seeds, cherries, apples)
- Whole grains (quinoa, wild rice, GF oats, etc)
In addition to prioritizing whole foods, studies show that microalgae such as Wuji Chlorella and Wuji Spirulina have been shown to promote methylation by way of nourishing the body with the cofactors that are required for methylation. Both microalgae, being rich in essential amino acids, can support methylation by donating a methyl group from its high methionine content. Additionally, Wuji Spirulina, with its high antioxidant content, can be helpful for combatting oxidative stress.4 Studies suggest that oxidative stress can interfere with methylation processes by potentially causing damage and/or modifications to DNA.5 Wuji Chlorella, with its inherently high vitamin B content, can be very helpful for under-methylators as well. Under-methylation does not just mean that that individual just needs more B-complex, it means that they need more bioavailable B-complex. Wuji Chlorella is a fantastic source of bioavailable B-complex due to its whole food nature.6
Approaching under-methylation issues starts at us understanding our genetic SNPs and then learning to support ourselves through it. Learning about how to meet our body where it’s at can be a gamechanger for reversing genetically rooted health challenges and ensuring that we are treating ourselves kindly. Through proper whole food nutrition, including microalgae, we can nourish our body with the nutrients that it needs to thrive. The key is finding bioavailable options to encourage the utilization of vitamins and minerals to promote cellular health, longevity, and overall well-being.