Have you ever wondered why some supplements seem to work better than others, or why certain nutrients might not seem to make much of a difference no matter how much you take? The answer lies in a concept called bioavailability—basically, how well your body absorbs and uses the nutrients you're feeding it. Let's dive into what bioavailability is, why it’s so important, and what you can do to boost it, making sure you're getting the most from your supplements.

What is Bioavailability?

In simple terms, bioavailability refers to the proportion of a nutrient or supplement that is absorbed into the bloodstream and made available for your body to use. Even if you take the highest-quality supplement, if your body can’t absorb it properly, you’re not getting all the benefits. This can be influenced by several factors, including:

1. The form of the nutrient (e.g., pills, powders, liquids)
2. Your digestive health
3. Genetic factors
4. Interactions with other foods or supplements

Common Issues with Bioavailability

Several factors can make bioavailability tricky. Here’s a breakdown of some common issues:

1. Genetics: Some people have genetic differences (like MTHFR mutations) that affect how well their bodies can absorb or utilize certain nutrients. For example, people with MTHFR mutations may struggle to process folic acid into its active form, which is needed for key processes like DNA repair and detoxification.

2. Digestive Problems: Conditions like leaky gut, IBS, or even just poor gut health can impair how well your body absorbs nutrients, making it harder for those vitamins and minerals to get into your bloodstream.

3. Nutrient Form: Some nutrients are better absorbed in certain forms. For example, magnesium glycinate is much more bioavailable than magnesium oxide. Similarly, methylcobalamin (B12) is easier for your body to use than the synthetic form, cyanocobalamin.

4. Dietary Inhibitors: Some compounds, like phytates in whole grains, can block the absorption of certain minerals like iron and zinc. Without taking steps to break these down (like soaking or fermenting foods), you may not be absorbing as much of these minerals as you think.

Fortunately, there are several ways to boost your body's ability to absorb nutrients more effectively. Here's a fun and easy guide to some of the top methods, based on what we've discussed so far:

1. Use Advanced Delivery Systems

• Liposomal Encapsulation: Think of liposomes as tiny bubbles that carry nutrients directly into your cells. This method is popular for vitamin C and B12 supplements because it helps them get absorbed quickly and efficiently, bypassing the digestive system.

• Nanoparticles: For harder-to-absorb nutrients like curcumin (from turmeric), nanoparticle technology can break down the nutrient into super-small particles that can be absorbed more easily. If you’ve had trouble with turmeric supplements in the past, look for a nano-curcumin version! In fact - we have them here for you - try Inflammation Guard.

2. Choose Methylated Nutrients

• People with methylation issues (e.g., MTHFR gene variants) will benefit greatly from supplements that already contain methylated forms of B vitamins, like 5-MTHF (methylfolate) and methylcobalamin (B12). These forms are ready-to-use, so your body doesn't have to do any extra work to activate them. This is key for energy, brain health, and detoxification.

3. Pair with Bioenhancers

• Certain ingredients, like piperine from black pepper, can dramatically increase the absorption of other nutrients. A well-known combo is curcumin with piperine, which enhances curcumin’s absorption by up to 2000%. So, when shopping for turmeric supplements, make sure it’s paired with black pepper extract for maximum benefits.

4. Time Your Supplements with Meals

• Some nutrients, especially fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), need to be taken with fat to be properly absorbed. If you’re taking a vitamin D supplement, for example, having it with a meal that includes healthy fats (like avocado or olive oil) will ensure your body absorbs it better.

5. Try Hydrolyzed Proteins

• Hydrolyzed proteins (like hydrolyzed collagen) are already broken down into smaller peptides, making them easier to digest and absorb. If you’re taking collagen for joint or skin health, look for a hydrolyzed form to get more bang for your buck. Try Hydrolized Creatine or Hydrolized Marine Collagen Nano-Particles. 

Matching Methods to Specific Supplements

Each supplement type benefits from different bioavailability-boosting methods. Here’s a quick guide to what works best for certain types of nutrients:

Understanding bioavailability is the key to getting the most out of your supplements. Whether it’s choosing the right form of a nutrient, using delivery technologies like liposomes or nanoparticles, or simply timing your supplements with meals, these strategies can help you optimize nutrient absorption and support your overall health.

By combining methods—like using methylated B vitamins, pairing curcumin with piperine, or opting for liposomal vitamin C—you can make sure that your body is truly getting everything it needs to thrive.

Remember, your supplement choices aren’t just about what you take, but how well your body can absorb and use what you’re giving it!

Methylation: Your Body's "Stop-Go" Mechanism

Methylation acts like a traffic controller, or ‘master instruction sheet’, for  your body, deciding when to turn certain genes on or off. It’s a vital process that impacts everything from your DNA, detoxification, and neurotransmitter production to how well your cells repair themselves.

Your body must constantly adapt, repair itself, and maintain balance. By turning certain genes on, it activates processes like healing or producing essential proteins. Conversely, silencing certain genes helps prevent things like inflammation or abnormal cell growth, which can lead to problems like cancer. This regulation ensures you stay healthy and respond appropriately to environmental changes.

Several factors determine whether methylation is working efficiently or not:

• Nutrient Levels: Your body needs enough folate, B12, and choline to ensure proper methylation.
• Genetic Mutations: Having an MTHFR mutation can interfere with methylation, causing issues like low energy and cognitive problems.
• Aging: As we age, methylation naturally slows down, increasing health risks.
• Lifestyle Factors: Toxins, diet, and stress can all interfere with methylation.

Methylation is part of a bigger process called the One-Carbon Cycle, which keeps your body running smoothly. Here’s how it works in different areas of your health:

• Gene Expression: Methylation can silence certain genes by adding methyl groups to your DNA, which keeps inflammation and abnormal cell growth in check.
• DNA Repair: Life’s wear and tear, from pollution to daily cellular stress, damages your DNA. Methylation helps repair it, preventing long-term harm.
• Detoxification: Methylation is essential for helping your liver process and eliminate toxins, hormones, and harmful substances.
• Neurotransmitter Production: Your brain relies on methylation to produce chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood, focus, and emotional balance.

1. DNA Methylation: By adding a methyl group to DNA, methylation controls gene activity. It’s like pressing mute on genes that could cause problems if they were left on.
2. Homocysteine Metabolism: Methylation helps convert homocysteine, a potentially harmful amino acid, into methionine. When this process doesn’t work well, homocysteine builds up, increasing the risk of heart disease.
3. Detox Pathways: Methylation plays a big role in detoxifying the liver, helping your body get rid of harmful substances efficiently.

As you age, your body’s ability to methylate efficiently begins to decrease. This decline has ripple effects across your health, impacting everything from your heart to your brain:

• DNA Damage Accumulation: Over time, damage to your cells builds up, and methylation becomes less effective at repairing it.
• Nutrient Deficiencies: Your ability to absorb key nutrients like folate and B12 also declines, which directly impacts methylation.
• Oxidative Stress: Increased oxidative stress can damage the enzymes involved in methylation, making the whole process slower.

MTHFR Mutation and Its Impact on Methylation

The MTHFR gene is responsible for converting folate into its active form, 5-MTHF, which is critical for methylation. If you have an MTHFR mutation, your body struggles to make this conversion, leading to elevated homocysteine levels and other health problems. 

Folate plays an essential role in methylation, helping your body with:

• DNA Synthesis and Repair: Folate is key to maintaining genetic stability and supporting new cell growth.
• Homocysteine Regulation: Folate helps convert homocysteine into methionine, supporting heart health.
• Brain Health: Folate is involved in neurotransmitter production, which is crucial for mood and cognitive function.
• Preventing Birth Defects: Adequate folate intake is essential during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects.

If you have an MTHFR mutation, your body struggles to convert folic acid (the synthetic form of folate found in supplements and fortified foods) into the active form, 5-MTHF. This can result in unmetabolized folic acid building up in your bloodstream, which interferes with your body’s natural folate pathways and raises homocysteine levels. For the most part, we may not be significantly impacted by this gene mutation unless we receive it from both sets of parents. If you do have this mutation, it may be better to take methylated folate directly. In fact, eating more folate to help with a folate deficiency could make the issue worse, if you have the MTHFR Mutation and your body is not processing the folate correctly in the first place. Talk to your Doctor and they may recommend going to a methyl-folate. 

Methylation and Aging

As we age, the body’s ability to methylate efficiently begins to decline, which has implications for overall health. Methylation is essential for DNA repair, gene expression, and detoxification, and when it slows down, it can lead to the buildup of damaged cells, increased inflammation, and oxidative stress. This decline in methylation efficiency is a contributing factor to many age-related conditions, including cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease, and weakened immune function. Additionally, as we age, our ability to absorb key nutrients like folate and B12, which are critical for methylation, diminishes. Supporting methylation through proper nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle changes becomes even more important as we grow older to maintain optimal health and vitality​(Parsley Health)​.

How do I know if i'm deficient in folate?

Ideally, you would go and get a blood and/or DNA test. Or talk to your doctor If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms - you may be dealing with methylation issues or an MTHFR mutation:

• Fatigue: Persistent tiredness can be an early sign of methylation problems.
• Mood Disorders: Depression, anxiety, or irritability may stem from imbalanced neurotransmitter production.
• Elevated Homocysteine: High homocysteine levels can increase the risk of heart disease and cognitive issues.
• Detoxification Problems: Sensitivity to toxins or frequent illness could indicate that your detox pathways are struggling.
• Brain Fog or Memory Loss: Methylation is essential for brain health, so when it's not working, you might notice cognitive decline.
• Hormonal Imbalances: Methylation plays a role in regulating your hormones, so imbalances could be another red flag.

Methylation probably does not affect you, and getting older and dealing with age-related issues is part of life. However, if you see your doctor and you require a methylated substitute, or you decide you are going to exercise and diet for longevity, we're got your back.   

How BestlifeNZ Supplements Support Methylation

At BestlifeNZ, we have products that are specifically designed to support your body’s methylation pathways, whether you're dealing with an MTHFR mutation or simply looking to age optimally. Here's how we help:

1. BestlifeNZ Methylated Multi Boost:
   This supplement contains 5-MTHF (methylated folate) and methylcobalamin (B12), which are the active forms of these critical nutrients. They bypass the need for conversion in those with MTHFR mutations and ensure that your body gets the immediate support it needs for DNA repair, neurotransmitter production, and homocysteine regulation. We have also added SAM-e to our blend to further methylation and any stress-related issues that may rise due to high homosystein levels.
2. BestlifeNZ Methylated B-Complex:
   This product delivers all the essential B vitamins in their bioavailable forms, including B6, B9 (5-MTHF), and B12 (methylcobalamin). Together, they work to support methylation, detoxification, and energy production, keeping your body functioning smoothly.
3. BestlifeNZ Detox & Restore Formula (COMING SOON):
   Designed to support detoxification, this formula combines antioxidants like glutathione and quercetin with nutrients that enhance methylation. It helps protect your body from toxins and oxidative stress, ensuring that your methylation processes stay efficient.

Supporting methylation doesn’t stop at supplements. There are a few lifestyle changes that can help:

1. Eat a Folate-Rich Diet: Load up on leafy greens like spinach, kale, and broccoli. These foods provide natural folate to support methylation.
2. Manage Stress: Chronic stress produces oxidative damage that can impair methylation. Consider incorporating yoga, meditation, or deep breathing into your daily routine.
3. Exercise Regularly: Physical activity helps regulate metabolism and supports healthy gene expression.
4. Limit Exposure to Toxins: Reducing exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, and other harmful chemicals can protect your methylation pathways.
5. Stay Hydrated: Water helps your liver process toxins, supporting the body’s natural detoxification pathways.

Conclusion

If you're over 30 or have an MTHFR mutation, now is the time to consider switching to methylated supplements like 5-MTHF (methylfolate) and methylcobalamin (B12). These active forms are easier for your body to absorb and use, ensuring your methylation processes run efficiently. Whether you’re dealing with DNA repair, neurotransmitter balance, or detoxification, supporting methylation is crucial for maintaining optimal health as you age.

By integrating BestlifeNZ’s supplements with healthy lifestyle changes, you can ensure that your methylation pathways get the support they need, helping you stay energized, mentally sharp, and healthy for years to come.