Methylation & MTHFR: What You Need to Know About This Buzzword & How to Support Your Body

If you’ve ever heard the term MTHFR floating around in wellness circles, you might be wondering—what is it, why does it matter, and what does it have to do with your health?
The short answer? A lot.

MTHFR (Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase) is a key enzyme involved in methylation, an essential biochemical process that affects nearly every function in your body, from detoxification to DNA repair, energy production, mood regulation, and immune support (Stover, 2009; Li et al., 2016).

And here’s the kicker—up to 40% of the population has a genetic mutation that can make methylation less efficient, leading to all sorts of frustrating symptoms, including fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, poor detoxification, and more (van der Put et al., 1998; Liew & Gupta, 2015).

So let’s break it down—what is methylation, what happens when MTHFR isn’t working properly, and how can you support your body with the right vitamins and nutrients?

🔬 What is Methylation? (And Why Does It Matter?)

Methylation is a biochemical process that turns vital functions on and off in your body, helping with:

• Detoxification (getting rid of toxins & heavy metals)
• Energy production (converting food into fuel)
• DNA repair (keeping cells healthy & resilient)
• Brain function (producing neurotransmitters like serotonin & dopamine)
• Immune system support (regulating inflammation & fighting illness)

Think of methylation as your body’s master control switch—if it’s working properly, your body thrives. If it’s sluggish due to an MTHFR mutation or lack of key nutrients, you might experience symptoms like:

• Chronic fatigue & low energy
• Brain fog & trouble focusing
• Anxiety, depression, & mood swings
• High homocysteine levels (linked to heart disease)
• Poor detoxification (sensitivity to alcohol, caffeine, or strong smells)
• Increased inflammation & autoimmune issues

(McNulty & Scott, 2008; Li et al., 2016; Liew & Gupta, 2015)

🧬 What Does MTHFR Have to Do with Methylation?

Your MTHFR gene produces the MTHFR enzyme, which helps convert folate (Vitamin B9) into its active, usable form (methylfolate). This step is critical for methylation to function properly (Stover, 2009).

But here’s the problem—if you have an MTHFR mutation, your body struggles to activate folate, slowing down the entire methylation cycle. This can lead to toxin buildup, neurotransmitter imbalances, chronic fatigue, and more (Liew & Gupta, 2015; van der Put et al., 1998).

Luckily, you can bypass this genetic roadblock with the right methylation-friendly vitamins and nutrients.

💊 How to Support Methylation Naturally

The good news? Even if you have an MTHFR mutation, you can optimize your methylation with the right nutrients.

1️⃣ Methylated B Vitamins (B12 & B-Complex)

B vitamins are the fuel for methylation!
Methylcobalamin (B12) and methylfolate (B9) are the active, bioavailable forms that your body can absorb and use immediately, without needing conversion by MTHFR. Supplementation with methylated B vitamins can help lower homocysteine, boost energy, mood, brain function, and detox pathways (Obeid & Herrmann, 2015; Scaglione & Panzavolta, 2014).

2️⃣ Glutathione: Your Body’s Master Antioxidant

Methylation helps your body produce glutathione, which is essential for detoxification and reducing inflammation. Low methylation can lead to low glutathione, increasing vulnerability to toxins and oxidative stress (James et al., 2002).

3️⃣ NAD+ for Cellular Energy & Repair

NAD+ is crucial for energy production and DNA repair, working alongside methylation to keep cells healthy. NAD+ supplementation has been shown to support mitochondrial health and brain function (Rajman et al., 2018).

4️⃣ Vitamin C for Immune & Detox Support

Vitamin C is a key player in methylation and glutathione recycling, helping to keep your detox pathways running smoothly (Jacob & Sotoudeh, 2002).

⚠️ Beware of Synthetic Vitamins: They Can Hinder Methylation!

Not all vitamins are created equal! If you have an MTHFR mutation, synthetic folic acid and cyanocobalamin (cheap forms of B9 & B12) can actually block methylation instead of helping it (Obeid & Herrmann, 2015; Scaglione & Panzavolta, 2014).

Avoid:

• Folic Acid (use methylfolate instead)
• Cyanocobalamin (use methylcobalamin instead)

All of our IV vitamin formulations are METHYLATION-FRIENDLY, meaning they contain the most bioavailable, active forms of nutrients your body needs to thrive.