My Journey to Healing: How Genetics and Nutrigenomics Helped Me Overcome Lyme Disease, Neuroinflammation, reverse cancer cells and feel alive again
By Dr. Beth Meneley, DAOM, L.Ac., Founder of Evolved Menopause
I grew up believing that my genetics were my destiny. I lost my father and brother to a highly aggressive genetic form of cancer, and as a teenager, my identical twin sister and I were told we would likely face the same fate. My dad passed away at just 42 years old, and when I reached that same age, a non-genetic form of precancer began to develop in my body. My life at the time was anything but easy—running a large wellness center, not sleeping well with a young son at home, surviving in a very unhealthy relationship and experiencing nine miscarriages beginning when my son was under two years old. Conventional medicine offered me no answers, and I was left feeling overwhelmed, defeated and hopeless. I had spent my life creating paths of hope for others and I couldn’t find one of my own.
But it was this very struggle that led me to dig deeper, to understand what was really happening beneath the surface. It pushed me to explore genetics and nutrigenomics, and ultimately, to uncover the root causes of my health challenges. On top of everything else, I was also navigating life with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)—a connective tissue disorder that impacts joint stability, skin elasticity, and many other aspects of health. I didn’t know it at the time, but the syptoms were always there. EDS further complicated my journey, contributing to chronic pain, fatigue, and a higher susceptibility to injury. Eventually, my physical heart also became challenged. My need to heal others created an environment where I sacrificed and ignored my own health living in survival mode always, to give women’s health massages and acupuncture to others. I had such a deep calling to heal others that I spent every dollar I had going to seminars and advanced courses. I had an inner knowing that it would be the key to me living. I was so consumed with just surviving though, my own health really hit rock bottom.
Today, I want to share part of my wellness journey with you—how learning about methylation, detoxification, and my genetic SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) helped me reclaim my health, piece by piece.
The Turning Point: Discovering Dr. Ben Lynch and Methylation
The turning point in my journey came when I discovered Dr. Ben Lynch and his work on methylation. This was a game-changing moment in my life. Methylation, I learned, is a crucial biochemical process that affects almost every aspect of our health—from detoxification to DNA repair to the production of neurotransmitters. I realized that this process, essential for keeping my body running smoothly, was not working properly in me. It was as if I had finally found the missing piece of the puzzle—why I was experiencing miscarriages, why cancerous cells were forming, and why my brain felt like it was no longer mine.
The more I learned, the clearer it became that my genetic predispositions were impacting my health in profound ways. I started diving deep into nutrigenomics, the study of how nutrition interacts with our genes. This allowed me to see where my genetic pathways were compromised and what I could do to support them. I underwent functional lab testing and genetic testing, which revealed the exact biochemical issues I was facing—issues that I could actually do something about.
One of the most impactful tests I used was the Methylation Profile from Doctor’s Data(https://www.doctorsdata.com/methylation-profile-plasma/). This test showed me exactly where my methylation cycle was broken, explaining why my body couldn't properly detoxify or repair itself. I also used genetic tests that are similar to what 3X4 Genetics test (https://3x4genetics.com) is today, to better understand my broader genetic profile, including SNPs that affected my nutrient needs, detoxification capabilities, and inflammatory response.
I finally understood why:
Cancer cells were forming in my body—I had genetic variants that impaired my ability to detoxify and repair DNA.
I had experienced nine miscarriages—my methylation pathway was compromised, affecting hormone regulation, detoxification, immune system dysregulation and my ability to sustain a pregnancy.
My brain felt like it was failing me—chronic inflammation from Lyme disease had created a storm I couldn't escape.
My Ehlers-Danlos syndrome contributed to my susceptibility to chronic pain, injury, and dysfunction, making my path to health even more challenging.
The Path to Healing: Detox, Supplementation, and Targeted Nutrition
The genetic testing provided the roadmap I needed to begin healing. I focused on three key areas: detoxification, methylation, and targeted supplementation to support my unique biochemistry.
1. Detoxification for Heavy Metals, Mycotoxins, and More
With the knowledge of my genetic weaknesses, I began working on effective detoxification. I used a combination of supplements, dietary interventions, and detox protocols to clear heavy metals, mycotoxins, and other accumulated toxins. Supporting my liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system with specific herbs and nutrients was critical. Slowly, I felt the toxic burden lift, and my body began to function more efficiently.
2. Supporting Methylation with Supplements and Lifestyle Changes
Methylation became my primary focus. I had multiple SNPs in the MTHFR gene, which affected my ability to convert folic acid into its active form, methylfolate. This meant avoiding synthetic folic acid and supplementing with methylfolate to support my methylation cycle.
I also learned I had SNPs affecting Vitamin B12, which meant my body struggled to absorb and use it effectively. Supplementing with a high-quality methylated B12 helped support energy, mood, and methylation.
Another important discovery was that I had Vitamin D-related SNPs that impaired my ability to metabolize Vitamin D, explaining why my levels remained low regardless of sunlight exposure. I began supplementing with Vitamin D, along with magnesium, to help with absorption.
I also found that creatine and choline were essential for my body because of genetic variants that created a higher demand for these nutrients. By supplementing with creatine, I was able to reduce the methylation burden and improve energy levels, while choline supported healthy cell membranes and liver function.
3. Targeted Nutrition for My Unique Biochemistry
The more I understood my genetics, the more I realized how important targeted nutrition was for supporting my overall health. Each genetic SNP required a specific nutrient or cofactor, and by addressing these needs, I could support my body at a cellular level.
For example, these are some of the nutrients I added:
Methylfolate and methylcobalamin (B12) to optimize my methylation.
Choline and creatine to assist with methylation and reduce the load on my biochemical pathways.
Antioxidants like glutathione to reduce oxidative stress caused by heavy metals and inflammation.
Vitamin D and magnesium to overcome the genetic blocks affecting Vitamin D metabolism.
Of all the therapies I explored during my healing journey, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) played a crucial role in my recovery, especially in dealing with neuroinflammation and chronic infections. At my wellness center, OxygenWell, I had access to a hyperbaric oxygen chamber that allowed me to use the power of oxygen to support my healing process. HBOT works by delivering 100% oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure, which helps flood the body with oxygen, reduce inflammation, boost immune response, and promote faster cellular healing. For me, it made a noticeable difference in calming my overactive immune system, improving cognitive function, and accelerating tissue repair. The increased oxygen supply was exactly what my body needed to enhance mitochondrial function and help restore the energy that Lyme disease, heavy metals, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome had depleted. It also did not allow the spirochetes to thrive. Integrating HBOT with my detox and genetic optimization plan truly helped bring my body back to a state of resilience and vitality.
Reclaiming My Health and Moving Forward
This journey has not been easy, and healing certainly wasn't an overnight process, but the results have been nothing short of transformative. Over time, my brain fog lifted, my energy returned, and the inflammation that had kept me in a cycle of pain and exhaustion finally began to ease. Understanding my genetics and embracing nutrigenomics gave me the tools I needed to take back control over my health and feel alive again.
It’s incredible how much difference the right information can make. My genetic tests and functional lab work gave me insights that I never had before. With that information, I knew exactly where I needed to focus, which nutrients I needed to add, and how to properly detoxify my body. I could finally understand my body’s unique needs, and instead of seeing my genetics as a predetermined fate, I used that information to empower my healing journey.
Your Health Journey Is Unique—Embrace It
If you’ve been struggling with chronic health issues, feeling like your body is failing you, or looking for answers that traditional medicine hasn’t been able to provide, I encourage you to explore your genetics and nutrigenomics. It might just be the key to understanding why your body feels out of balance and how to bring it back to health.
The 3X4 Genetics test (https://3x4genetics.com) can provide insights into how your genes affect your nutrient needs and biochemical pathways. The Methylation Profile from Doctor's Data (https://www.doctorsdata.com/methylation-profile-plasma/) is also an invaluable tool for understanding how your methylation is functioning and what steps you can take to support it.
At Evolved Menopause, we take a personalized approach to health because we know that every body is different, and every health journey is unique. Together, we can explore your genetic makeup, address the root causes of dysfunction, and support your body in ways that are specific to you.
Schedule a consultation today and let’s uncover your unique path to health—one genetic insight at a time. You deserve to feel vibrant, whole, and empowered, and we’re here to help you get there.
