Methyl-Guard®

Description

Methylation is an essential biochemical process in the body that helps regulate homocysteine levels and supports many systems, including neurotransmitter function, detoxification, cardiovascular health, vision, muscles, bones, and cellular redox balance.* Maintaining normal homocysteine levels is now considered as important as maintaining healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels for overall heart health.* Because Methyl-Guard supports healthy methylation, it also helps promote cardiovascular, cognitive, nerve, bone, blood vessel, and female reproductive health.* It was one of the first supplements designed specifically to support homocysteine metabolism using nutrients in their active, bioavailable forms.*

Several factors, including nutrient deficiencies, environmental stress, and physical stress, can negatively affect the body’s methylation cycle. In addition, a common genetic variation that reduces the activity of a key enzyme involved in methylation affects a large portion of the population, making efficient methylation more difficult and increasing the need for nutritional support.*

Methylation refers to the transfer of a methyl group (CH₃) to other molecules and is involved in numerous vital biological processes. It depends on several key nutrients to function properly. When methylation is inefficient, homocysteine levels may rise, which is often seen in aging individuals due to reduced availability of important cofactors such as folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. Elevated homocysteine and low levels of these nutrients can negatively affect DNA and protein function, potentially impacting blood vessels and nerve health.*

Supporting homocysteine metabolism with proper nutrient cofactors can help maintain normal levels. For example, L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (the active form of folate), methylcobalamin (vitamin B12), and betaine (trimethylglycine) help convert homocysteine back into methionine. Meanwhile, vitamin B6 in its active form (pyridoxal 5′-phosphate) helps convert homocysteine into beneficial compounds like cysteine and taurine.* Research indicates these nutrients can help maintain healthy homocysteine levels in the blood.*

Because some individuals have reduced ability to convert folic acid into its active form, Methyl-Guard includes 400 mcg of active 5-MTHF per capsule to directly support methylation and homocysteine balance.*