Hi ,

Being aware of the MTHFR mutation or better said a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism(SNP) can make people more aware of how important some lifestyle choices are for them. But because not everyone with an MTHFR SNP has health problems I base my recommendations normally on a clinical picture.

MTHFR, as you probably know,  is an enzyme that is needed in the so-called methylation cycle. In this cycle, methionine gets converted into homocysteine and back. The goal of the methylation cycle is to donate methyl groups to other molecules, which is important for so many things:
• It is needed to create neurotransmitters
• It is needed for cardiovascular health
• It is needed to protect & read our DNA
• Detoxification (for example of heavy metals)

And the list goes on.

Let’s say someone comes to me with a clinical picture, for example, elevated homocysteïne, which we know is a risk factor for heart disease.

Even with a possible MTHFR SNP present, there are many reasons why homocysteine can be elevated, like
• Kidney problems
• Low thyroid hormone levels
• B12, B9 or B6 deficiency (through malnutrition or malabsorption)
• Psoriasis is associated with high homocysteïne
• and other genetic conditions.

First I will, without testing, support the methylation cycle by recommendations like taking a b complex or a multivitamin with the B vitamins in the methylated form, because the enzyme MTHFR helps folate to transform in the methylated form.

Pay in your recommendations also attention to Riboflavin
Another pearl is that vitamin B2 or riboflavin is needed to activate the enzyme MTHFR.  Vitamin B2 is important for people who carry MTHFR SNP, but people deficient in B2 can display the same symptoms, since the enzyme MTHFR cannot be activated. Food sources of B2 are for example eggs, meat, chicken, salmon, almonds and spinach, but make sure they are enough in the diet.

Supporting methylation with choline
I will also support the conversion from homocysteine to methionine via the second pathway which depends on choline. You could use choline supplements or focus on foods rich in choline like eggs, liver, kidney salmon, shiitake, soybeans (GMO free & organic are best choices here), beef, chicken & turkey, and many more. Daily recommendations for men and women are 550 and 425 mg. (And are often not met!)

Homocysteine can also be broken down in the transsulfuration pathway which is needed for detoxification. This pathway needs nutrients like selenium, B6 & serine.

When do I test for SNPs?
Usually, I support the body by overcoming a possible MTHFR SNP first. Then I focus on ruling out other possibilities that could lead to the clinical picture my client comes for. Testing for mutations comes third or later. Just be aware: SNPs on MTHFR are common. But other SNPs are known to influence the methylation cycle as well. MTR & MTRR for example.

Slow versions of these enzymes can lead to a build-up of homocysteine as well, but won’t be overcome by supplementing methyl folate.

If I would do SNP testing I would check for more than MTHFR alone. you could for example test at 23andme.com.

Obviously, if family members are tested positive for an MTHFR SNP, this would influence my priorities, but as a rule of thumb, DNA testing isn’t usually the first thing I would do.

Remember that also here: genetics loads the gun and the environment pulls the trigger!

Hope this helps

Hi  as Daniel explained very well, MTHFR is a defect or mutation in a gene that controls the process of methylation; a process that needs B vitamins which is needed for detoxification. Impaired methylation increases the risk of both cardiovascular disease and cancer. 

Therefore, I usually reserve gene testing after a client has made significant lifestyle & dietary changes, and I encourage it especially in cases where there is a strong family history of cardiovascular disease and cancer. But again, just because someone has a gene mutation, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will express itself and result in symptoms or disease. Lifestyle plays a huge role here. 

I’m also so excited to share that Dr. Ben Lynch, author of Dirty Genes and owner of Seeking Health (supplement company) will be our guest expert in December!!! Genes and nutrigenomics are HIS specialty, and we’ll be analyzing B Better members’ gene test reports live on the call. Specifically the histamine pathway. We haven’t yet made the announcement because I’m still trying to find a way for members outside of the US/Canada to participate.

But if you’d like to get the 23andme or Ancestry DNA tests, he’ll be offering members a discount on his StrateGene report, which interprets the results for you in 10 minutes and provides a useful report with actionable tips. That would be a good opportunity if you’ve been thinking of getting gene testing done.

Hie  

I would just like to add that the book ‘Dirty Genes’, from Ben Lynch is also a really good recommendation. It’s easy to read and gives a lot of practical advice as well!