What Is Methylation Testing and Why It Matters for Your Health

Are you feeling drained, anxious, or constantly off-balance, despite doing everything right? You might be missing a key piece of your health puzzle: your methylation pathways.

Methylation testing is a powerful tool that helps uncover what's happening deep inside your body: at the genetic level. As a Nutritional Therapist and Genetic Nutritionist, Melanie uses this advanced testing with clients to fine-tune their nutrition and lifestyle for a lasting transformation to their health.

Let’s take a closer look at what it involves.

What Is Methylation?

Methylation is a biochemical process that happens billions of times a day in your body. It switches genes on and off, processes toxins, builds neurotransmitters (like serotonin and dopamine), regulates hormones, supports your immune system, and even affects how you age.

In short: if methylation isn’t working properly, you feel it: fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, hormone imbalances, poor detox, infertility, and more.

A Brief History of Methylation Testing

Methylation has been studied since the early 20th century, but its importance in human health only began to gain traction in the late 1990s. Researchers discovered that this tiny biochemical process was essential for regulating gene expression, detoxification and cellular repair.

The turning point came with advances in genetic science, particularly the mapping of the human genome in 2003. Scientists identified specific genetic variants, such as MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase), which affect how efficiently a person methylates. This led to the development of DNA-based health testing and the emergence of nutrigenomics: a field that explores how nutrition interacts with our genes.

In the UK, medicine practitioners began adopting methylation testing more widely from the 2010s onwards, using both saliva-based DNA tests and blood markers to assess methylation pathways. Today, it’s recognised as a key tool for personalised health interventions, especially for conditions involving fatigue, mood disorders, fertility issues, and chronic illness.

What was once confined to research labs is now accessible to anyone who wants to understand their bodies better and take control of their health using science-backed, personalised strategies.

What Is Methylation Testing?

Methylation testing looks at specific genes involved in your body’s methylation cycle, especially ones like MTHFR, COMT, MTR, and CBS. Variations (also called SNPs or polymorphisms) in these genes can affect how well your body:

• Converts nutrients into active forms

• Detoxifies chemicals, alcohol, and hormones

• Produces energy (ATP) at a cellular level

• Regulates mood and stress response

• Metabolises folate and B12 (crucial for mental health and fertility)

A simple DNA test (via cheek swab) reveals your unique genetic blueprint. But that’s only the beginning.

Why Methylation Testing Matters

When our founder Melanie was dealing with chronic fatigue, anxiety, gut issues, and hormonal chaos after having three children in quick succession, she was given band-aid solutions: iron tablets, antidepressants, gut meds. But no one asked why her body was out of balance.

Through functional and genetic testing, including methylation, Melanie finally understood what was driving her symptoms. She didn’t need more pills. She needed a personalised plan that worked with her biology, not against it.

Methylation testing allowed Melanie to:

• Understand how her body processed stress, hormones, and nutrients

• Choose the right supplements for her needs 

• Clean up her detox pathways to reduce inflammation and autoimmune flare-ups

• Balance her mood naturally

• Regain the energy, clarity, and calm she thought she’d lost forever

How Melanie Uses Methylation Testing with Clients

At Melanie Flood Nutrition, we combine methylation genetic testing with a deep dive into your:

• Medical history

• Diet and lifestyle habits

• Current supplements & medications

• Hormonal function

• Gut health

• Optional functional testing e.g. gut, hormones, bloods

This lets us build a clear, targeted plan for your needs.  By understanding your unique genetic makeup alongside your symptoms and goals, we can:

• Choose the right type (and form) of nutrients for you

• Identify foods and toxins you may struggle to process

• Support neurotransmitter production for mood and sleep

• Create long-term strategies that work with your body, not against it

Is Methylation Testing Right for You?

You might benefit from methylation genetic testing if you struggle with:

• Persistent low energy or burnout

• Anxiety, depression, or mood swings

• Hormonal imbalances (PMS, perimenopause, thyroid issues)

• Fertility challenges

• Poor detox (hangovers, sensitivity to smells or chemicals)

• Brain fog or poor memory

• Autoimmune conditions

• A family history of cardiovascular disease or mental health disorders
  

Methylation testing is especially valuable if you’ve tried everything and still don’t feel right.

This Isn’t a Quick Fix: It’s a Game Plan for Life

Our clients know we’re not about fads, deprivation or quick fixes. Melanie loves chocolate, not to mention nut butter! What she teaches is about balance, not cutting out the foods you love.  It’s learning how to fuel your body in the best way by ensuring your diet and lifestyle has the right nutrients, supplements and lifestyle medicine.

Methylation testing gives us the data to support that balance, with real, lasting results.

Ready to Personalise Your Health?

Your genes are not your destiny, but they are your starting point.

Let’s unlock the blueprint of your body and build the life you want: one filled with energy, confidence and clarity. Because you deserve to wake up feeling strong, stable, and in control.

For more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.