What is MTHFR? In 2003, a genetic study called the Human Genome Project was completed. They discovered that a seemingly important gene towards your health and well-being, called the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), was defective (actually they are “variants” not “mutations”) in a lot of folks. In fact, it supposedly effects 30-50% or more of the population.
You shouldn’t assume you have the issue. There is a simple blood test that can be ordered. What is normally checked are two mutations in the MTHFR gene: C677R and A1298C. A serum Homocysteine should also be ordered. Sadly, this is an expensive test and many insurance companies will not pay for it due to it being “exploratory”. And this might not even be an accurate test… (more on that later)
Some alternative doctors have the viewpoint that the “MTHFR gene mutation” is not really a MUTATION but rather a toxic overload in the body that prevents the conversion of nutrients to micronutrients. Their hypothesis is that the Epstein Barr Virus is still active in the person’s body and creating havoc (maybe other invaders are present too…). In any case the following will help you to better understand how to heal this situation in your body.
Still other alternative doctors suggest that it really is caused by a lack of RIBOFLAVIN (Vitamin B2). They state, “Improving riboflavin status may make MTHFR work like it should, since the 677C→T mutation simply reduces its ability to bind with its riboflavin-dependent cofactor (FAD). It’s literally addressing the cause (making MTHFR work like normal) rather than the symptom (supplementing with 5-methyl THF because you make less of it).”
What a variant of the MTHFR gene supposedly does to you
- It produces a defective MTHFR enzyme of different varietiese. it functions less than optimally, such as performing at only 40% of its capacity, or 70% of its capacity. It can mean you won’t break down toxins or heavy metals well i.e. you could find yourself with high iron, or high copper, or high lead, or high mercury…. etc. High copper can also cause low ferritin, even though your iron levels look great!
- The defective enzyme doesn’t break down folate vitamins properly (of which folic acid is the precursor to), which can cause high homocysteine, which can increase your risk of coronary heart disease (arteriosclerotic vascular disease or venous thrombosis), and related heart and BP conditions, as well as increasing your risk for dementia.
- Homocysteine is poorly converted to glutathione, which is your body’s chief antioxidant and detoxifier. You are then more susceptible to stress and toxin buildup.
- Homocysteine is poorly converted to methionine, and less methioninecan raise your risk of arteriosclerosis, fatty liver degenerative disease, anemia (see Wiki), increased inflammation, increased free radical damage… and produce less SAM-e
- Less SAM-e can increase depression
- And more broadly, an MTHFR variant can increase your risk of a variety of cancers (including breast and prostate cancer), stroke, heart problems, congenital defects, depression, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), miscarriages, migraines, chemical sensitivities, etc.
- You can find yourself with high folate or high B12e. your body will have problems converting inactive forms of folate and B12 to the active forms. So the inactive folate or B12 will simply build up in your serum, also inhibiting the active forms. Most serum folate tests are actually measuring folic acid, which needed to be converted to methylfolate to be used metabolically.
- The journal Molecular Psychiatry states that “Schizophrenia-like syndromes, bipolar disorder, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia have all been associated with one or more mutations of the MTHFR gene”. (2006;11, 352–360)
More than one mutation of the MTHFR gene
Your mother and your father pass down Genes. Most literature states there are 40-50 different mutations of this important gene, which could be passed down by one, or both, or your parents. But only two are particularly problematic: mutations on the points at C677T and A1298C. The numbers refer to their location on the MTHFR gene. You will also sometimes just see them written as just 677 and 1298. But do remember… this could just all be happening due to a toxic overload in your body!
There are many combinations of MTHFR:
- Homozygous:means you have both copies of either the 677 mutation, or the 1298 mutation, one from each parent.
- Heterozygous:means you have one copy of either the 677 mutation, or the 1298 mutation, plus a normal one from the other parent.
- Compound Heterozygous:means you have one copy of the 677 mutation from one parent and one copy of the 1298 mutation from the other parent.
- Triple homozygous mutations (more rare):an example would be one C677T, one A1298C, and a P39P or R594Q, for example.
What is a MTHFR gene mutation?
If you are told by your doctor or practitioner that you have a MTHFR gene mutation, they will most likely explain that this means your body is unable to convert folate or folic acid into a usable form. They may also remark that your body struggles with certain important conversion and methylation processes. There is some truth in this statement, but your body’s inability to properly convert, methylate, or detox has nothing to do with a gene mutation issue.
Are you overwhelmed yet?
An individual can function properly even with a lower-than-normal level of the enzyme, as long as there is enough of it to do its metabolic job of keeping homocysteine levels within a healthy range. So, most people with these common variants would never even know they had one without genetic testing, as there aren’t any clear physical symptoms.
People’s genes are being wrongfully blamed for so many “medical mysteries”. If you are suffering from a mystery illness with unknown causes, you may have been told you have “bad genes,” “dysfunctional genes,” a “gene mutation,” or “faulty genes.” Again, the blame falls on you and your body because medical research and medical science have yet to find true answers for these health problems.
The topic of gene mutation is growing in popularity, and it is critical that you and your loved ones do not fall prey to the blame being put on your genes. Well intentioned doctors and practitioners are being drawn into this idea that there is a connection between people’s health issues and their genes. It’s easy to look at the hereditary traits passed from one generation to the next and start to believe that your genes play a role in the health problems you face.
Yes, your mother, grandfather or other family members may look like you and even display similar health symptoms, but this does not mean that your genes are related to the chronic illnesses you find yourself up against! If this damaging misconception continues to spread, generations to come will believe all of their chronic illnesses stem from gene-related issues and billions of dollars will be spent investigating this faulty idea as people continue to grow more and more sick. Realize that your mother, grandfather, great grandmother all ate the same way, lived in the same areas, had the same viruses, and had the same bad food habits, etc.
THAT is more the cause of the family’s illnesses than any supposed “gene defect”!
We don’t have definitive scientific research to suggest that these two MTHFR variants cause health effects!
To date, there are no large-scale, well-designed epidemiological studies that prove that either of these variants cause the health effects that these health forums commonly associate with them.
Take the claim that MTHFR variants up a person’s risk of developing heart disease, for example: Some older research suggested that those with some amount of C677T variation may be at a higher risk—while much newer, larger, and better-structured research actually found no evidence of an increased risk.
And there are thousands of studies that go back and forth like this in regard to hundreds of health conditions. It’s easy for media outlets, and in turn consumers, to fixate on any negative results, but this spreads worry and inaccurate health information when the definitive science just isn’t there.
There is an exception for which the research is more consistent: Some people with two copies of C677T may have elevated homocysteine, and research shows they could be at risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect. But, again that combination is uncommon. And for people who do have elevated homocysteine (which would be determined at the start of pregnancy via a blood test), it’s easily treatable with folate and/or B vitamin supplementation, and a doctor would help guide treatment.
The Truth About Genes
The genes in our bodies have multiple purposes and act in numerous ways, but they can never become mutated. It is critical you understand this— your genes cannot mutate. If a gene interacts with a contaminant or pollutant, it may not function as well, but it will still not technically mutate. If you are ever diagnosed with a MTHFR gene mutation, know that your gene may not actually be mutated or even problematic. Something else in your body might be triggering off the faulty MTHFR gene mutation test.
The MTHFR Gene Test
Get a blood test to check homocysteine levels, which is the real indicator of potential health issues! It’s less expensive and it can tell you if anything is actually wrong clinically. (Remember: even clinically significant MTHFR gene mutations would be indicated by abnormally high homocysteine levels.)
If your homocysteine levels are found to be abnormally high, treatment is also simple and straightforward: folate supplementation. Upping your folate via a supplement basically helps your body to bypass the need for the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme produced by the MTHFR gene, and therefore reduces homocysteine levels. Regular folate works; you don’t need anything fancy. B vitamins such as B6 and B12 may also be recommended for some people. Your holistic doctor can help determine what protocol and supplementation is best for you.
Look at the Liver
If you’ve been told you have a gene mutation, you might be able to disregard this information. It’s most likely not accurate. In reality, it is highly likely you have an issue in the liver. There may also be an issue in the intestinal tract, but typically the main issue lies in the liver. The inflammation that triggers off a positive MTHFR gene mutation test stems from toxic byproduct wreaking havoc as it moves from the liver into the bloodstream. This can play a part in producing abnormal homocysteine levels.
Usually, viruses, heavy metals, or a combination of the two are residing in the liver and producing toxic byproduct. As the amount of byproduct increases over time, the liver grows less efficient and gradually stops cleansing the blood. Eventually, this “dirty” blood prevents proper methylation or the conversion of folate or folic acid. Regardless of whether you are underweight or overweight, or whether you are feeling healthy or poorly, a MTHFR gene mutation diagnosis means your liver is showcasing signs of wear and tear and needs proper support and care.
Methylation Problems
Methylation has to do with the conversion and break down of important chemicals, chemical compounds, and phytochemicals that are drawn from sources such as the food we eat, the clean water we drink, and the sunshine we absorb. Breaking down chemicals into smaller and smaller chemicals is a very extensive process, and the methylation explanation given by a doctor or practitioner will not even begin to address the complexity of chemical break downs in the body. The enormous amount of chemicals we have in our bodies is still a mystery to medical research and medical science. Medical science also believes the liver is only accountable for four hundred to five hundred chemical responsibilities that help keep us alive and well, but in reality, there are thousands of chemical responsibilities that have yet to be discovered. Many of these unknown chemical responsibilities play a role in the body’s methylation process.
If you are handed a positive MTHFR gene defect test and your doctor or practitioner proposes you have a methylation problem, they may be correct. But, the methylation issue is not related to a gene mutation as they might also suggest. In fact, if you take the necessary steps to reverse your methylation issues, you will no longer trigger off a positive MTHFR gene mutation test.
Healing the liver and cleansing the blood are two important pieces of resolving methylation issues. Lowering the viral load that created toxic byproduct in the liver is another critical step. If it was actually a mutated gene causing the problems, you could never change the gene mutation test results, but because it’s caused by another issue, it is possible to heal and reverse the test’s results.
Underlying Viral Infections
Viruses play a part in numerous conditions including Lyme disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, eczema, chronic fatigue syndrome, and many more. In all of these health conditions, viruses get into the liver and release toxic byproduct. As a result, it is likely that if you’ve been diagnosed with Lyme disease or another virus-related chronic illness, you will trigger off a positive MTHFR gene mutation result as well. Again, it is important to remember that this does not mean you have a gene mutation. The methylation and homocysteine issues you may be experiencing are the result of viral byproduct clogging up the liver and making its way into the bloodstream. Thinking you have a mutated gene will never help you heal from Lyme disease, multiple sclerosis, eczema, psoriasis, sarcoidosis, colitis, or any other chronic illness, but knowing the truth can help you start to reclaim your health.
If you’re concerned about methylation or detox issues, tell your holistic practitioner you think you may be dealing with low level viral issues in the liver that are triggering symptoms and creating blood toxicity.
By using the information you learn here and working with a skilled practitioner, you may be able to completely reverse any viral-related health issues and methylation problems you are experiencing.
Misinformation Prevents Healing
Thinking you have a gene mutation when you don’t can be incredibly damaging and may prevent you from genuinely healing. This harmful idea can dwell in a subconscious area of your mind and have a detrimental impact on your immune system. If you’ve been told you have a gene mutation, it is important that you recognize this is faulty, untrue information. This awareness plays a significant role in being able to truly begin healing.
Healing Foods
Wild blueberries are incredible for cleansing and healing the liver. Celery juice is phenomenal for this as well. 16 oz of lemon water twice a day can offer profound liver and methylation support. Try incorporating sweet potatoes and winter squash into some of your meals as well. In addition to bringing supportive foods into your diet, it is important to take out foods that don’t serve your body during the healing process. Exclude dairy, eggs, and wheat. Ideally exclude all oils and animal/seafood meats.
Lowering the fat in your diet is an important step to take while healing the liver. When you lower your fat intake, the liver does not have to create as much bile to break down the food and has more time and energy to rid the body of the poisons that are contributing to methylation issues and other symptoms. If you are a meat eater, try lowering the amount of animal protein you consume. If you can keep your animal protein consumption to once a week for a period of time (6 months or longer), your liver will likely be able to improve more quickly.
If your diet is plant-based, try to keep the fats in your diet, such as nuts and avocado, low and bring in more fresh fruits and vegetables. Once you lower your fat intake, the liver is able to cleanse, recover, and help reverse any methylation issues.
Increase your Vitamin B2 (RIBOFLAVIN)
Riboflavin deficiency symptoms can include:
- ▪ Bloodshot eyes
- ▪ Sore tongue and lips
- ▪ Infection in the mouth and throat
- ▪ Extreme and unusual sensitivity to light
- ▪ Irritability in the eyes
- ▪ Chapped lips & Migraines
Women need to take special care to ensure that they don’t have this vitamin deficiency as riboflavin deficiency causes problems in the reproduction system, growth and repair of body tissues, as well as problems in the immune system. A vitamin B2 deficiency affects the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, ketone bodies, and proteins in the body… So, it can be said that this vitamin deficiency directly affects a person’s energy level.
Eat a few of these high vitamin B2 foods daily: Beet greens, spinach, asparagus, mushrooms, collard greens, sweet potatoes, green peas, sun dried tomatoes, cereal grasses, whole grains, almonds, sesame seeds, spirulina, quinoa, buckwheat, & prunes
Legal: The information provided is not intended as a means of diagnosis or treating illness or as a replacement for any medicine or advice from a competent physician. Individuals having serious health problems should consult a competent licensed physician specializing in their condition. The FDA has not evaluated these statements. We assume no responsibility for anyone choosing to self-administer any suggestions in this publication; they do so on their own determinism. The information in this publication is for educational purposes only.
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