Balchem has announced that a new study has found that the company's Optifolin+ significantly enhances cellular methylation capacity and DNA methylation in a human cell model.
The company said the findings — published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements — provided "compelling mechanistic evidence" of the ingredient's biological activity, supporting the scientific basis for brands developing products for healthy ageing and epigenetic health.
The role of methylation in healthy ageing
Healthy ageing is increasingly viewed through the lens of epigenetics — how gene expression is modified by behaviours and environment, without changes to the actual DNA sequence.
Methylation is the process of adding carbon units (methyl groups) to DNA and is central to this regulation. This chemical process can turn genes "on" or "off."
Disruptions in DNA methylation can lead to genomic instability and it is thought that insufficient levels of methyl donor nutrients (such as folate) may contribute to these issues with time.
Optifolin+ is a choline-enriched L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-5-MTHF) ingredient.
Balchem said the ingredient was developed to address low levels of methyl donor nutrients through the synergistic combination of L-5-MTHF and choline, which work through interconnected one-carbon metabolic pathways.
This pairing allows Optifolin+ to deliver what Balchem says is a seven-fold methyl agent advantage compared with other folate forms and achieve a 98% methyl capacity, optimising support for DNA integrity and stability.
The study
Conducted in collaboration with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, the study evaluated the biological activity of Optifolin+ in a human cell model (HepaRG) during a 96-hour period.
The results showed that Optifolin+ acts as a modulator of methyl-donor status, increasing S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) by 71% and enhancing cellular DNA methylation by up to 14 times.
These findings, Balchem said, support Optifolin+'s role in epigenetic regulation.
“Folate plays a foundational role in cellular function, yet modern lifestyle factors from stress or suboptimal diets can affect methylation efficiency," said Lauren Eisen, Senior Marketing & Business Development Manager, Minerals and Nutrients, Balchem Corporation – Human Nutrition & Health.
For brands looking to innovate beyond traditional folate products, understanding biological performance matters. This latest research demonstrates how Optifolin+'s unique choline-enriched structure translates into meaningful cellular activity.
"These findings provide a stronger scientific foundation for next-generation healthy ageing and epigenetic health solutions."
