Can Epinutrients Slow Aging? Science Says Yes.

Your diet influences your biology at the cellular level; meaning, you are what you eat! Nutrients in our food are often key ingredients for vital chemical processes in our bodies and Epinutrients are no exception.

What are Epinutrients?

Epinutrients are known methyl-donors and methylation cofactors. DNA methylation is an important element of epigenetics, involved in regulating gene expression. As methyl-donors, epinutrients transfer methyl groups (CH3) to neighboring molecules; this reaction is called methylation. As cofactors, epinutrients encourage methylation by activating methylation enzymes¹.

In the same way antioxidants protect the genome, epinutrients manage the epigenome. While antioxidants donate electrons to prevent the oxidation of DNA, epinutrients donate methyl groups to maintain a healthy epigenome.

How do Epinutrients Work?

Epinutrients play a central role in DNA methylation.

DNA methylation

DNA methylation is a fundamental concept in epigenetics, responsible for the activation and deactivation of genes.

For a gene to produce proteins, specific enzymes need to bind to its DNA. If we wanted to turn off a gene so that it stops producing proteins, we’d have to prevent enzymes from binding to its DNA. Attaching methyl groups (CH3) to DNA makes it difficult for proteins to bind to it. That’s why higher DNA methylation levels lower protein production and gene expression¹.

Ideally, we want lower methylation levels on beneficial genes and higher methylation levels on harmful genes. That’s the function of methylation enzymes––they help control how the gene is expressed

Methylation involves a string of chemical reactions in which epinutrients participate in. As cofactors of methylation, they activate methylation enzymes. When these enzymes can do their job, the right genes get expressed or inhibited, and we maintain a healthy epigenome².

How Epinutrients Slow Aging?

Epigenetic alterations are one of the nine fundamental hallmarks of aging³. As we age, DNA gets damaged and subsequently repaired. However, DNA repairs are rarely perfect and can result in different methylation patterns and epigenetic modifications. These critical changes accelerate aging⁴.

To slow aging, it’s critical we keep our epigenome in check. That’s where epinutrients come in!

We’ve already established that epinutrients support methylation to maintain a healthy epigenome. A healthy epigenome can also mean a lower biological age.

A 2021 study evaluated the efficacy of an epinutrients-based diet. Participants followed this diet for eight weeks. At the end of the study, the participants’ biological age was nearly 3.5 years lower than the control group’s biological age⁵.

Which Epinutrient Dense Foods Should You Add to Your Diet?

Folate, betaine, choline, and vitamin B12 are some common epinutrients.⁶ And here are some foods rich in these epinutrients that you can include in your diet:

• Fruits such as apples and oranges
• Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and brussels sprouts
• Leafy greens such as spinach
• Cacao nibs and sunflower seeds
• Fatty, wild-caught fish and eggs
• Beets⁷

The science clearly shows that integrating epinutrients into your diet can promote longevity. So stay healthy, and stay young!

Takeaways

• Epinutrients are known methyl-donors and methylation cofactors. Hence, they are key players in DNA methylation.
• Methylation involves a string of chemical reactions, which epinutrients participate in. As cofactors of methylation, they activate methylation enzymes and maintain healthy DNA methylation patterns.
• DNA methylation patterns tie into a healthy epigenome. Therefore, epinutrients help maintain a healthy epigenome.
• A 2021 study evaluated the efficacy of an epinutrients-based diet. Participants followed this diet for eight weeks. At the end of the study, the participants’ biological age was nearly 3.5 years lower than the control group’s biological age.

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3. Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only. Before starting any new diet program, consult your doctor and dietician. We are NOT doctors, nutritionists or registered dietitians.