Our medical system has trained us to focus on a “break-fix” approach.
We’ve stopped thinking about what is happening within us, focusing instead on what is happening TO us.
This mindset extends to supplementation and nutrition too.
We take supplements for the sake of supplementing, but is it what our body needs?
We eat less and exercise more, but is it working?
And are we feeling better because of it?
Today, we’re diving deep into what we call “corrective care” and exploring how to heal your body from within – specifically through your body’s genetic expression, methylation, and nutrients.
Living at Half Capacity
I would say most people are living their life at around 50% of their health capacity.
The majority of our patients come back to us after just a few weeks bounding with energy and vitality, telling us they’ve never felt so well and healthy before. I tell them this is normal! This is how you are built and designed to feel every day!
Our philosophy is simple: we want you to learn how to support your body rather than just remedy it.
Your unique genetic expression affects your metabolic, neurological, inflammatory, digestive, immune, hormonal, and nervous systems.
Understanding Your Genetic Blueprint
A crucial component of genetic research is a gene variation called a SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism, pronounced “snip”). Scientists have identified approximately 10 million SNPs in the human genome, and each person carries over a million of these variations.
These SNPs can profoundly influence our health and personality.
For example:
- The MTHFR gene variations, found in about 44% of people, can be linked to anxiety, irritability, brain fog, fatigue, obsessiveness, birth defects, high blood pressure, period cramps, infertility, thyroid dysfunction, ADHD, or autism.
- The COMP gene affects things like workaholism, sleep issues, PMS, and menopausal symptoms, telling us much about your dopamine and serotonin receptors.
Methylation is an important marker to pay attention to.
Methylation is the expression of your genes and DNA.
The definition of methylation is HOW a methyl group (group of molecules) reacts to an enzyme OR nutrient.
Methylation is like the energy or deterrent your cells express when they receive nutrients.
Your DNA and SNPs control whether you are energised or drained in that methylation process.
It’s a crucial indicator our clinic regularly checks to see if your body is under too much pressure, overworking, or struggling to hold onto essential nutrients.
Methylation problems become most apparent during hormonal and cytokine changes.
Women with period problems/conditions like PMS, endometriosis, PCOS, or adenomyosis commonly struggle with methylation.
After 40, poor methylation becomes more apparent for everyone as our body undergoes chemical changes, due to changes in testosterone and progesterone.
Cytokines (inflammatory triggers) change from 40 too.
Wound healing cytokines decrease,
while pro-inflammatory cytokines increase.
The Hormone Connection
For women, genetic susceptibilities becomes more apparent:
From 40: Because progesterone, a calming hormone, begins to decline, often triggering an adrenal response and “fight or flight” responses. This often triggers the genetics like the MTHFR mutations.
Around 50: Oestrogen levels start to decrease, increasing inflammation and insulin resistance for most women. If women have a methylation problem that hasn’t come up yet, they typically know after 50.
How to Monitor Your Methylation
Key annual markers to monitor methylation include: Liver enzymes (LFT), Haematology (full blood count, aka FBC), Key nutrients like iron, zinc, B vitamins, folate, and Homocysteine levels (though not always covered by Medicare).
One of our patients, an 80-year-old woman came to us with seemingly perfect blood work (from her doctor), but suffered from heart palpitations, restless legs, and constant shaking.
After deeper testing, we discovered:
– Elevated TPO antibodies (indicating high Graves antibodies)
– Poor methylation
– Extremely high lithium levels (despite not taking lithium supplements)
– Low levels of immune-boosting nutrients
By understanding her unique genetic profile and addressing these underlying issues, she went from barely being able to type, cook, or write to regaining her personal autonomy.
I had my own lightbulb moment when I understood my SNP behaviors.
It explained my early Hashimoto’s diagnosis at 22, painful periods, pre-menstrual mood swings, weight gain, fluid retention, and borderline insulin levels despite a low-carb diet.
Understanding my genetic profile helped me:
– Take control of my health
– Support my hormones and gut health
– Choose the right diet and supplements (reducing what I was taking by more than 80%)
– Lose excess weight and fluid retention (I’m the smallest I’ve ever been since high school)
– Feel more vibrant and mentally clear than ever before
How to look at your Genes & Methylation, so you can Feel Your Best
Our goal isn’t just managing symptoms. It’s ideally to get in front of what is happening to you an understanding WHY it’s happening.
You can restore balance across your metabolic, hormonal, digestive, and neurological systems. You have the power to influence your genetic expression and create the health you deserve. Remember, you’re not simply surviving; you’re designed to thrive.
As you gain a deeper understanding of your body’s needs and how to support them, you can step into your full potential and experience life at its fullest – because there’s a superhuman in us all.
To get started, we suggest you get really good blood work. We often use annual pathology that is often part of Medicare. You can also keep that list so you can get that done annually to keep an eye on :).
We also suggest you get a better understanding of your methylation looks like AND your unique genetic expression. That’s why we put together our webinar, Genes, Methylation & Peri/Post Menopause. If you want to see what to test and how to get started, you can watch the full video here: https://naturalhormonebalance.co/free-training-genetics-peri-post-menopause/
If you would like us to get started and get our help, you can organise a free introductory consultation here: https://calendly.com/nz-naturopathy/intro-consult
I hope you found this helpful!
Have a great Sunday.
Warmly,
Tiaan
Tiaan Bennett
Clinical Director & Founder
The Naturopathy Clinic | Tiaan Bennett & Associates
[email protected]
+61 0467 094 918 – Work | +1 817-917-8887 – Work
thenaturopathyclinic.com
