Overmethylation, as we have discussed, is the least common state according to the research of Dr. Carl Pfeiffer in his book Nutrition and Mental Illness, An Orthomolecular Approach To Balancing Body Chemistry. Ovmethylation isn't caused by just one thing - it's a tendency based on your genes, lifestyle, stressors, diet, and environment. Interestingly - you can be an overmethylator without having an MTHFR mutation at all. Overmethylation also flows on a spectrum, from very mild symptoms to far more severe ones.
If you're not sure if you're an undermethylator, methylation neutral, or an overmethylator then visit this post for a comparative chart. As with everything else, even the most severely overmethylated person will have some traits and not others - this is all very individual. The biggest constants are artistic or creative tendencies, empathy and/or social activism, and anxiety.
Overmethylators Are Blessed With Many Positive Traits.
Creative
Highly artistic or musical
Highly empathic and sensitive
March to the beat of their own drum
Passionate and self-sacrificing
High pain threshold
Some of These Traits Have a Darker Side:
Obsessive or manic focus on what is important to them (social cause, activism, artistic project)
Ruminating - hard to shut brain off
Sleep disorders
Anxiety
A tendency toward self-enhancement (extreme plastic surgery, implants of all types), tattoos, piercings
Overmethylation Can Lead to Physical and Medical Issues
Food and chemical sensitivities - this picture is dominated by low histamine which then translates to alternate immune pathway sensitivities.
Pain - head, neck, and general body pain.
Low Histamine
Anxiety or panic
Sleep disorders - especially with physical or mental restlessness.
Depression - depression - especially with an anxiety component
Hyperactivity, ADHD - in combo with restlessness and anxiety
At The Extreme End of Pathology Overmethylators Can Be Prone To:
Schizophrenia
Panic attacks
Self-mutilation or self-harm
Major Depression
Bipolar Disorder
Psychosis including post-partum psychosis
Nutritional Tendencies In Overmethylation
Great Reactions to B Vitamins - most overmethylators are low in B vitamins generally, but especially folate and B12 and typically do well with higher than average dosages.
Often high copper levels, which can be balanced by increasing zinc
Often low histamine
Often low B3 and B6
Often intolerant to estrogen therapies including birth control and HRT
Serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine may be elevated
Medication and Supplement Reactions in Overmethylation
This represents what is typical for the group, but drug and nutrient reactions can be very personal, so this is a general guideline and not a certainty. This information is both from Dr. Pfeiffer's book (see above), this article, and my own experience with clients.
You can read more about overmethylation here.
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