Melissa Milam, MNT, BCHN
The Methylation Nutritionist
Melissa is a Master Nutrition Therapist (MNT) board certified in Holistic Nutrition (BCHN).Join me on Substack @MelissaMilam
The Methylation Nutritionist
On my journey as a nutritionist over the past 10 years I have crossed paths with more than my fair share of people who struggle with methylation issues. The truth is that our modern lifestyle has created an environment that makes this otherwise harmless inheritance a major health risk. As a carrier of the homozygous MTHFR & COMT gene mutations, I have a deep understanding of the struggles and know what it takes to
live your best life with inherited suboptimal methylation capacity.In my 30s I was lucky to make it to 3pm before I crashed on the couch. More often than not I would wake up for a few hours to see the kids and then back to bed by 8:30pm only to be up again pacing the floors in middle of the night. My face, neck, hands and legs were often covered in an itchy weepy rash, my gut was inflamed and my hair was falling out. Not to mention the constant battle with colds and flu. Honestly, I was prepared for the worst...
It's been a long hard road. After endless doctors visits and literally thousands of dollars I found that the key to my recovery was in my own hands! Learning about my inherited problems with methylation made a huge difference.Nutrition is the foundation for improving methylation,
even with a genetic disadvantage.
What is Methylation?
Methylation is a biochemical process that happens all over your body, all the time. It is basically a chemical modification where a methyl group (One carbon and 3 hydrogen atoms) is added to a molecule (DNA & proteins). Methylation can literally change the way your genes express!Poor methylation has been shown to increase the risk of many disease processes and can significantly affect mental wellness, physical energy, hormone balance, allergic reactions, cardiovascular disease and cancer risk.Who is at risk for methylation issues?Methylation problems tend to mostly affect people who were born with certain gene mutations or SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and/or who were exposed to a heavy toxic burden. The most commonly known genes are: MTHFR, MAO, DAO and COMT.
The science of methylation and genetic SNPs is still very new but has come a long way! The truth is that our modern lifestyle has created an environment that makes this otherwise harmless inheritance a major health risk. The world of MTHFR and methylation is full of supplement stack suggestions for optimal health. Those of us on the other side of that know the answer doesn't lie in a bottle of methyl-folate. After 10 years of trial and error and working with individuals who struggle with histamine intolerance, brain fog, mental health issues and severe fatigue I can see the answer lies in optimal nutrition, lowering toxic inputs and advocating for your best health.In this course you will learn the simple explanation for what methylation is and how it affects your health. We will take a look at the genetic mutations that have the biggest impact on your methylation capacity and strategies for optimizing. The most important part of this series is learning how to feed your body what it really needs, instead of chasing symptoms with the latest supplement. As a nutritionist, I value the power of food and only suggest supplementation when there is a clear and legitimate reason.If you are ready to commit to giving your what it needs to feel really good, despite your MTHFR or COMT gene, this is the right course for you!
Nutrition Therapy
Nutrition therapy for methylation using a whole-food approach focuses on nutrient-rich traditional foods that naturally supply the body with what it needs. Organ meats, red meat, eggs, raw milk, and fresh fruit provide highly bioavailable sources of folate, B12, choline, and other key nutrients that keep methylation running smoothly. Instead of relying on synthetic lab-made supplements, this approach builds health through simple, nourishing foods that the body can easily recognize and use for energy, mood, and detox support.Fill out the contact form below to set up a FREE 15-minute consultation & find out if Nutrition Therapy is right for you.