Understanding MTHFR and How to Support It Naturally

by | Mar 23, 2020 | Nutritional Pillar, Structural Pillar

Let’s talk about MTHFR. Wait, what? I’ve heard about this. Should I be concerned?

We didn’t know about MTHFR when I started practicing 30 years ago. But fun fact: I was fixing this before we had a name for it through my 4 Pillars of Health: Structure, Emotions, Environment, and Nutrition. The first question usually asked is what MTHFR stands for— MTHFR stands for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene mutation—but we can all agree that MTHFR is incredibly easier to say.

In a nutshell, having MTHFR means your body doesn’t detoxify like everyone else’s. 60% to 80% of Americans are now estimated to have this mutation. It is now being linked to over 60 chronic health conditions, including infertility, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, Hasimotos, depression, hypothyroidism, blood clots, and cancers. Plenty of scary stories exist about this condition, and I hope this blog brings you solutions and peace. Let’s dive in so you understand how to care for this for both you and your loved ones.

 

MTHFR is an enzyme that assists in processing amino acids, specifically homocysteine, into methionine, which is vital for many bodily functions. Methionine produces glutathione, which helps your body stay healthy, and a decrease in this often shows up as an autoimmune disease. Your liver also breaks down Methionine into S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), a compound involved in various biochemical processes, including DNA methylation, neurotransmitter production, and detoxification. SAM and glutathione both protect our cells and maintain mood and focus. Every cell requires methylation.

If you have an MTHFR mutation, your liver struggles to break down or detoxify certain chemicals such as glyphosate (roundup) and formaldehyde, synthetic vitamins, and prescriptions including estrogens, metals such as aluminum and mercury, phthalates, and more. It is essential to know how prescriptions work with your detoxification pathways. Some prescriptions become problematic as they don’t detoxify or process properly, leading to a series of side effects. There is a way to test this, but it is different than measuring your MTHFR status. For those on medications, including HRT or Birth Control, I always recommend ClarityX Saliva Testing, which measures many common medication detoxification pathways to see if they are compatible with your physiology. Click here to order your test!

 

MTHFR- Folic acid or Folate??

Folic acid, the synthetic form of Folate, chemical N -[4-<(2-amino-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-6-pteridinyl)methyl]amino]benzoyl]-L -glutamic acid is derived from petroleum and processed with formaldehyde. Folate, a B vitamin essential for DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation, comes from foods like meats, avocados, nuts, eggs, leafy greens, legumes, and cruciferous vegetables.

Since the late 1990s, Folic acid has been added to many processed foods and supplements under the label of B vitamins, under the guise of preventing neural tube defects, which affected less than 4,000 infants at that time. Countries other than the USA refused, stating this was akin to mass medications without permission.

While the intention behind folic acid fortification was good, it has led to some unintended consequences, particularly for those with MTHFR mutations. Here’s why:

  1. Synthetic vs. Natural Folate: The body processes natural Folate and synthetic folic acid differently. The body readily uses natural Folate easily, whereas folic acid has to be converted into its active form, 5-MTHF (5-methyltetrahydrofolate), by the MTHFR enzyme. For those with MTHFR mutations, this conversion is inefficient, leading to a buildup of unmetabolized folic acid in the bloodstream.

  2. Toxicity: Unmetabolized folic acid can be problematic. High levels of unmetabolized folic acid may mask a vitamin B12 deficiency, contribute to cancer risk, and potentially interfere with the body’s natural methylation processes.

  3. Increased MTHFR Mutations: Some researchers speculate that the widespread use of synthetic folic acid may have exerted evolutionary pressure, increasing the prevalence of MTHFR mutations. As more people with these mutations struggle to process folic acid efficiently, they experience health issues that could be linked back to the very substance intended to prevent problems.

My Doctor Knows I have MTHFR and has me on Methylated B Vitamins.

What Are Methylated B Vitamins? So the story told is that Methylated B vitamins have undergone a process called methylation, which makes the vitamins more bioavailable, meaning they are more accessible for the body to absorb and use. Common methylated B vitamins include:

  • Methylfolate (5-MTHF): The active form of vitamin B9.

  • Methylcobalamin: The active form of vitamin B12.

  • Pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P5P): The active form of vitamin B6.

The main issue is sourcing. What are they creating these methylated vitamins from? The Chemical processing companies that make our vitamins often include Coal tar derivatives, petroleum, formaldehyde, and cobalamin reacted with cyanide. Check out www.tcichemicals.com as an example. Want another rabbit hole of discovery? Search how many of our vitamin companies are now owned by pharmaceutical companies. Here is my guidebook on how to read vitamin labels so you know the code words for these toxins. Click here to download!

We created MTHFR and its associated health issues using Folic Acid. I believe breaking down or methylating the same chemical will destroy the following detoxification process, creating MTHFR-JR over the next 30 years. But it’s not just me; we see examples in Pub Med research now.

Some studies suggest that high levels of methylated B vitamins, particularly Folate and B12, are linked to an increased risk of certain cancers. The theory is that these vitamins, which promote cell growth and DNA synthesis, might inadvertently stimulate the growth of existing cancer cells or precancerous lesions.

  • Prostate Cancer: Research has indicated a possible connection between high levels of methylated B12 and an increased risk of prostate cancer.

  • Colorectal Cancer: Elevated folate levels, brought on by supplementation or the lack of ability to process the supplementation, are now associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

For individuals with MTHFR, taking methylated B vitamins can potentially trigger an overactive immune response, which may contribute to autoimmune conditions or chronic inflammation. Additionally, the intake of these vitamins might cause neurological issues, such as anxiety and insomnia, due to their effect on neurotransmitter levels.

So, you can see why I never recommend methylated B or synthetic vitamins to anyone. They are not worth the risk. Let’s get back to how MTHFR affects the body and solutions to fix this naturally.

The human body has over 20,000 genes that script and run its day-to-day activities. The MTHFR gene produces the MTHFR enzyme. When you have these genetic mutations in the gene or SNPs (snips), which is short for single nucleotide polymorphisms, your DNA building block changes. The fun and exciting part about these genetic discoveries is that we can see what makes you better and weaker. These findings explain why tobacco is toxic for some and not others, why coffee is amazing and yet not, and why ingredients in vaccines or drugs work for some and are harmful for others. The downside is when you get stuck thinking you can’t change it because it is genetic.

Mutations in the MTHFR gene can reduce the enzyme’s effectiveness. These mutations are defined as having none (wild), one (heterozygous), or two (homozygous) mutations. The more mutations you have, the less your body can produce the MTHFR enzyme.

Two common mutations, or “snippets,” are C677T and A1298C. Statistics show that 60-80% of Americans now carry the MTHFR gene, and 50% of the U.S. carries at least one SNP.

  • C677T Mutation: Associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes) due to elevated homocysteine levels. Interestingly, one mutation decreases your ability to detox mercury by 50%. You detox half and keep half. With two mutations, your ability decreases by 90%. Think about high fructose corn syrup (1/2 is made with a mercury bath, leading to 5x the daily mercury allowance), mercury fillings, and flu shots, both problematic for this gene mutation. Approximately 10-15% of the population carries this mutation.
  • A1298C Mutation: While less directly linked to cardiovascular issues, this mutation can still affect neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s’, Alzheimer’s, delayed speech, IBS, Memory Loss, brain fog or attention problems, ADD/ADHD, hypertension, mental health, depression, anxiety, recurrent miscarriages, and general detoxification issues.

Most OBGYNs require their patients to be on prenatal without checking if they have MTHFR, which is infuriating to me since folic acid is the leading cause of miscarriages in women with this disorder and also the discovery of added anxiety during pregnancy, requiring antidepressant or anxiety drugs. Click here for my prenatal supplements.

Going back to genetics, we now know that Epigenetics (how you think, what you eat, and your physical and emotional stressors) is how we manage our genetics. Applying my Four Pillars to Health to MTHFR incorporates all epigenetic factors that can change your DNA.

 

Structure

  • You must move. Walking, running, tennis, pickleball, yoga, and gardening require you to get outside and move. Sunlight is essential to your body’s ability to have a healthy liver. I know this is shocking since the powers that disseminate health advice have you cowering in fear of the sun. Movement is also essential to your body’s detoxification pathways. Being stagnated indoors for hours is destroying our health.
  • Another great tool is regular chiropractic care; being in spinal alignment means your nervous system can identify and handle issues before they build up and create chaos. My patients who get adjusted at least 2x a month and have for years are significantly healthier than those who don’t.

Emotions

  • Over the last 40 years, increasing research shows how negative, repressed, or unexplored emotional states affect our overall health—your liver stores anger. Learning to process our emotions and change what keeps us unhappy is essential to our healing. So many more conversations are occurring around this topic, and I love it! Here are some great books to get you started on this journey
    • It Didn’t Start With You – Mark Wolyn
    • Eat That Frog – Brian Tracy
    • How To Do The Work – Dr. Nicole LePera
    • Breaking The Habit Of Being Yourself – Dr. Joe Dispenza
  • Ready to go deep into this healing? Grab my Life Dream Today Online Course

Environment

  • Our modern environment is rife with chemicals and pollutants that can exacerbate the challenges posed by MTHFR mutations, from makeup to lotions, deodorants, and perfumes. Interestingly, in the U.S., the last time personal care products were regulated was in 1938. Only 30 chemicals have been banned in the U.S., compared to 1,382 in the European Union. Researching and understanding the ingredients in personal care products, especially for our children, is crucial. These harmful ingredients can create toxicity that is hard to manage, especially if you have MTHFR. A good analogy is a garbage truck: when it’s overloaded with garbage (toxins), it can’t function properly.

Nutrition

  • Store-bought food often contains artificial flavors, colors, and ingredients, including folic acid. These become harder to eliminate when you have MTHFR. Nor do they nutritionally fuel you. Remember, all research on vitamins began on FOOD after we started to industrialize food and people died. What you buy in the store is not food-based vitamins; it’s chemicals with the same name. Instead, focus on whole, nutritious foods.
    • Choose natural Folate found in cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, and beets. They are packed with nutrients essential for liver health and detoxification, helping to rebuild the detox process that is impaired by the MTHFR mutation.
    • When grocery shopping, stick to the outside aisles. Buy from local farmers whenever possible and buy seasonal produce.
    • Here is what I recommend eating:
      • High Protein – at least 150 grams a day
      • High Veggies – eat all the colors of the rainbow
      • Limit Sugars – to under 25 grams for kids and 50 grams for an adult a day, including fruit.
      • Limit Dairy – A2, organic whole milk is best
      • Limit Corn – GMO-Free and Organic
      • No Gluten/Grains – including oats
      • No Soy
    • For Recipes, Click Here!


Understanding our diet and lifestyle supports our bodies better and promotes optimal health. Learning when, how, and why synthetics were introduced into our foods and medical advice is the first step in understanding why they need to be removed. I hope this has been enlightening. If you suspect an MTHFR mutation or want to learn more about supporting your health naturally, consider scheduling a consultation with me. I’m passionate about this subject and look forward to helping you on your health journey.

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