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How Nutrients Can Deactivate Epstein-Barr Virus' (EBV) Genetic Expression

Writer's picture: Jamie Sculley, NDJamie Sculley, ND

A DNA helix.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is a common viral infection that has been linked to a range of chronic health conditions, including autoimmune diseases. Viruses like EBV need your DNA and your cell’s “machinery” to replicate, making this one way to target EBV through something called DNA methylation.


DNA is our instruction manual for making proteins that allow our cells to function. When it’s “read” and proteins are produced, this is called DNA expression. The first step of expression is called transcription where the process is turned on and the DNA is transcribed or converted to RNA. Then RNA is “read and decoded” in order to build a sequence of amino acids that create a protein.  


However, our genes aren’t everything. The environment we live in, the food we eat, and what we experience in our day to day lives influence how our genes are expressed. This concept is called “epigenetics.” One way that epigenetics alters genetic expression is through DNA methylation. A methyl group is simply a molecule that includes carbon attached to three hydrogens. When this methyl group is attached to DNA, it can stop DNA from being “read” by inhibiting transcription.


The thing to remember is that low methylation or hypomethylation can increase EBV viral replication. Having methylators in your body to donate methyl groups can be important in preventing EBV from taking over.  



Important Methylators To Know

Here are a few nutrients that act as methyl donors. You can incorporate these methylating nutrients into your diet, and even certain lifestyle changes can help support and enhance the methylation process.


Folate - This nutrient is found in leafy greens, legumes and fortified foods. However, folic acid, which is used to fortify foods, is not methylated. Some people may also have a genetic mutation in an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), that doesn’t allow them to process folate properly and recycle methyl donors. They may have a hard time producing L-methylfolate so taking supplemental methylated folate may be indicated.


If you’d like to know if you have this gene mutation, you can get tested for MTHFR. In that case, you may want to take L-methylfolate along with a B complex daily because it needs B6 and B12 to work properly.


Folinic acid - This is another form of folate that isn’t methylated but can be converted back and forth between the methylated and non-methylated form. This may be a good choice for those who are sensitive to methylated nutrients. There is some evidence that it may be helpful for those with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) who also have chronic active EBV. 


Vitamin B12 - This vitamin is a methyl donor when it’s in the form of methylcobalamin. If you get symptoms of overmethylation (anxiety, insomnia, digestive symptoms), you might want to take it in its other forms: hydroxocobalamin or adenosylcobalamin. These aren’t direct methyl donors but can be converted into methylcobalamin. 


Vitamin D3 - This can help regulate NF-kB (which helps regulate DNA expression) so it can help with methylation. I usually recommend around 2,000 - 5,000 IU/day for most people. Vitamin D can build up in the body so testing can be helpful to maintain healthy levels. 


Other methyl donors include betaine (trimethylglycine) and s-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e). 


Exercise can also positively influence methylation but take care to not overexert yourself. For those of you who miss being active this can be tough. Stick with gentle exercise like walking or yoga until you’re feeling better and can get back to your normal activity levels. 



In Summary…

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), a common infection linked to chronic health issues like autoimmune diseases, relies on your DNA and cellular machinery to replicate. One way to combat EBV is through DNA methylation, a process that can inhibit viral gene expression by adding methyl groups to DNA, preventing transcription. Low methylation (hypomethylation) can increase EBV replication, making it important to have sufficient methyl donors in the body. Nutrients like folate (especially in its methylated form for those with MTHFR mutations), folinic acid, methylcobalamin (a form of B12), and vitamin D3 play key roles in supporting methylation. Additional methyl donors include betaine and SAM-e. Lifestyle changes, like gentle exercise, can also enhance methylation, providing a holistic approach to managing EBV.



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-Dr. Jamie 




Resources

GeneSight. Understanding the MTHFR gene mutation. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://genesight.com/genetic-insights/understanding-the-mthfr-gene-mutation/


Kines, K. (2018). The Epstein-Barr virus solution: The hidden undiagnosed epidemic of chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune disease - how to heal and regain your life. Holistic Nutrition Press


Lundell K, Qazi S, Eddy L, Uckun FM. Clinical activity of folinic acid in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Arzneimittelforschung. 2006;56(6):399-404. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1296741. PMID: 16889122.


National Library of Medicine. MTHFR gene. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/MTHFR#resources


Nature Publishing Group. (2012). Epigenetic Regulation by DNA Methylation and Histone Modification: Potential Implications for Epigenetic Therapy. Neuropsychopharmacology, 38(1), 77–87. https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2012.112


Romm, A. MTHFR: What the bleep is it and what can you do? Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://avivaromm.com/mthfr-what-the-bleep/


This website is not intended for the purpose of providing medical advice. All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.


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