The MTHFR enzyme breaks down homocysteine and folate in the body. The MTHFR gene that codes the MTHFR enzyme may undergo a mutation; as a result, this mutation incites the MTHFR enzyme to function abnormally or become deactivated.  The MTHFR enzyme helps regulate detoxification and the immune system, and also repairs cells.

MTHFR gene mutations are variations in the DNA sequence of the MTHFR gene that can affect the activity of the MTHFR enzyme. A considerable percentage of the world’s population has at least one variant of this gene. The most common MTHFR mutation is called C677T, and it can cause a decrease in MTHFR enzyme activity by up to 70%.This decrease in enzyme activity can lead to a buildup of a substance called homocysteine in the blood, which is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other health problems.

Though further research is underway on the MTHFR gene, it’s been suggested that those with this gene mutation resulting in hyperhomocysteinemia may experience issues with inflammation, memory, immunity, migraines, depression, cognition and sleep. By restoring some of the common vitamin/nutrient deficiencies seen in this condition, homocysteine levels may begin to decrease, resulting in an improvement in some of these symptoms.

If you have been diagnosed with an MTHFR gene mutation, it is important to work with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized treatment plan. This may include taking supplements such as folate and vitamin B12, which can help to lower homocysteine levels and support methylation processes in the body. In addition to nutraceuticals, we offer premium injections designed specifically for methylation support/ improvement in homocysteine levels as well as IV therapy. 

It is also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, to support overall health and wellbeing.

Having an MTHFR mutation is not exactly something you would know about because not many people get tested for it at all. In many of our blogs, we described the MTHFR gene as an enzyme that converts the folate you eat from food into the active form – 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate. Having a mutation greatly affects how much folate your body will be able to metabolize and absorb.

More than folate absorption, the MTHFR gene is also heavily involved in the process of methylation which is responsible for converting homocysteine into methionine, a substance the body needs for proper metabolism and muscle growth and which is needed for glutathione creation. The process of methylation also involves the enzyme from the MTHFR gene, so those with a mutation may have trouble effectively eliminating toxins from the body.

BUILDING A LIFESTYLE AROUND THE MTHFR GENE

Those with a MTHFR gene mutation have a highly reduced ability to convert folic acid or even folate into a usable form. Research estimates that as much as half of the population may have an MTHFR gene mutation, though there are many variations of the mutation, depending on how the gene was passed down from the parents.

With that said, if you have an MTHFR mutation you would be doing your body a favor by having a lifestyle that caters to specifically for people diagnosed with a mutation in their MTHFR gene. Though it isn’t possible to change a gene, there are things that can be done to minimize the potential for problems or to help avoid problems in children.

Below are some diet tips as well as other helpful information on how to cope with an MTHFR mutation.

1. FOCUS ON GUT HEALTH

It is important to focus on gut health so that the body can absorb the nutrients from food as effectively as possible especially when you know your body is unable to use nutrients efficiently. Support your gut with fermented foods and homemade broth. Avoid vegetable oils, processed grains, refined sugars, and even antibacterial soaps.

2. AVOIDING TOXINS IN THE ENVIRONMENT

As mentioned, those with an MTHFR gene defect have an impaired ability to eliminate toxins. Avoid plastics, chemicals in beauty supplies and cleaning products. Even scented candles aren’t good for you since they release harmful chemicals in the air. When cleaning indoor air, use houseplants instead and make sure you filter your drinking and shower water too.

3. NOT TAKING FOLIC ACID

Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate that cannot be used by those with a MTHFR defect and which can be very toxic.avoid any supplements with folic acid and only take L-MTHF forms, which are the methylated forms that my body can use. Also take a methyl-B12 which is supposed to help the body use L-MTHF.

4. EATING LEAFY GREENS

Dark leafy greens contain the methylated forms of folate that those with a gene defect need. As if we needed more reasons that it is important to consume green veggies. We’re talking about the likes of spinach, kale, bok choy, and Swiss chard. You don’t have to go at grass like a goat, just adding a small portion per meal is good enough.

5. DON’T EAT PROCESSED FOODS, EAT ORGANIC

Many processed foods have synthetic folic acid added as well as how they’re just not healthy for you. Eat hormone free, grass-fed meats, grass-fed butter or ghee, and organic free-range eggs. The key here is to eat something the way nature intended and not how large-scale factories want it.

6. AVOIDING HEAVY METALS

Heavy metals in diet or environment are harder to remove from the body for those with a gene defect. Remove mercury amalgams from a trained biological dentist. Avoid aluminum exposure in antiperspirants and cookware. Help remove toxins using liposomal glutathione.

7. GETTING FOLATE FROM NATURAL SOURCES

• According to NutritionData, the best sources of folate per 100 g serving are:
• Beans and lentils (~50% RDI)
• Raw spinach (49% RDI)
• Asparagus (37% RDI)
• Romaine (Cos) lettuce (34% RDI)
• Broccoli (27% RDI)
• Avocado (20% RDI)
• Oranges/Mangoes (~10% RDI)
• Research show a folate-rich diet can match the homocysteine-lowering effects of either a regular folic acid or 5-MTHF supplement.

8. GET YOUR HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS MEASURED

Your body’s ability to convert homocysteine is impaired if you have an MTHFR mutation. If your homocysteine levels are abnormally elevated, it can result in an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Cognitive impairment, mood disorders, congenital defects and pregnancy complications may all also be significant problems. High homocysteine levels also appear to be correlated with incidences of PCOS. No one agrees on an upper limit for safe homocysteine level;.

If your homocysteine levels are high, there may be benefits in supplementing certain vitamins to help improve your levels.

9. HAVE A REGULAR DETOX

Since your body’s ability to detox properly is impaired, you would be doing it a favor by initiating your own little detox routines. If you don’t detox and your body also has trouble detoxing, the body can become over-burdened by heavy metals such as copper, lead, or mercury, or by environmental toxins like BPA, or by normal body waste like excess estrogen.

Some detox regimens include infrared sauna sessions, Epsom salt baths, and regular exercise or sweating.

10. SUPPLEMENT WITH ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS

Nutrients from food are great but if you find yourself unable to procure food rich in nutrients you need then you really have to take something exogenous. Methyl-B12, methyl-folate, TMG, N-acetylcysteine, riboflavin, curcumin, fish oil, Vitamins C, D, E, and probiotics are excellent supplements your body will love more so if you have an MTHFR mutation.

A word of caution: if you are double homozygous for MTHFR mutations, you should advance carefully with methyl-B12 and methyl folate supplementation. Some patients with this type of mutation can’t tolerate high doses.  Also, avoid taking high doses of niacin (vitamin B3), which can hinder methylation.

TAKEAWAY

Building a lifestyle around an MTHFR mutation isn’t really all that difficult as a large part of it is mainly about living a healthy lifestyle filled with a proper diet and a good amount of exercise. Granted those with MTHFR mutations need to be more careful around the use of synthetic substances and products as well as eat more of food that will help them detox and methylate but the adjustment only really looks hard on paper. Once you’re inclined to live a healthy life, these little tweaks aren’t really that much to think about. The key is consistency and awareness plus regular testing.

Methyl B12

Each tablet provides 5,000 mcg of methylcobalamin and 1,000 mcg of folate as Quatrefolic

Synergistic blend of methyl-donating B vitamins quickly boosts tissue and brain levels to support numerous systems in the body like increasing metabolic energy, red blood cell production, mood regulation, nerve cell transmission, and cognitive function

Homocysteine (Methyl CPG)

Provides high concentration folate along with trimethyl glycine and key methylation vitamins B2, B6, B12 to promote DNA repair, homocysteine balance, neurotransmitter production, hormone balance, and healthy detox

Folate (active form) donates its methyl donor to vitamin B12 (cobalamin), forming methyl cobalamin.  This helps convert the amino acid metabolite homocysteine into amino acid methionine, consistently helping recycle homocysteine

Folic acid and vitamin B12 (Methyl CPG + Methyl B12)

0.2-0.8 mg as folic acid or 5-methylfolate (5-MTHF) per day, minimum 12 weeks for greatest benefit and maintenance for up to ~5 years, with optional 0.4-1.0 mg vitamin B12 for improved efficacy in patients with elevated homocysteine (3)(5)(6)(7)(10)(12)(15)(16)(21)(23)(34)(37)(38)

Folic acid provided primary effect on homocysteine reductions ranging between ~13-30% (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(10)(12)(15)(16)(21)(22)(23)(26)(32)(34)(40)

Proportions of reductions in homocysteine were highly dependent on greater baseline homocysteine and lower baseline folate levels (5)(15)(16)(29)(37)

Higher folic acid doses ranging between 5-60 mg per day were safely used, but did not reduce homocysteine further than ingestion of 0.8 mg (16)(22)(29)(32)(40)

Most human evidence did not support greater folate bioavailability or efficacy in reducing homocysteine by 5-MTHF over folic acid, but it may provide extended retention of benefit upon discontinuation in patients with poor methylation capacity (2)

Vitamin B12 produced additional ~7% reduction in homocysteine (4)(5)(15)(16)(21) 

Individual trials showed benefit of adding vitamin B6 for further reductions in homocysteine, however this was not supported in meta-analyses (3)(5)(15)(16)(23)(34)

Males may have required higher folic acid dose ranges than women (6)

NAC (Acetylcysteine) 

Precursor to Glutathione, the master antioxidant in the body.N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 600 mg, 2-3 times per day, for 2-8 weeks (14)(24)(36)(41)

Reduced total homocysteine by 12-45% in healthy patients or patients at increased risk for CVD (9)(14)(24)(36)(39)

Oral formulations reduced total homocysteine in patients with end-stage renal disease by 21-25%, while intravenous formulations further reduce homocysteine during hemodialysis by ~90% (24)(27)(31)

Reduced SBP (~7.1 mmHg) and DBP (~3.3 mmHg) in hyperlipidemic men and SBP (~3.2 mmHg) in normolipidemic men; each 10% reduction in homocysteine is associated with 1.45-2.55 reduction in pulse pressure mmHg in patients undergoing hemodialysis (14)(27)(31)

Increased urinary excretion of homocysteine in its sulfonated form (36)

Omega-3 fatty acids

200-6,000 mg (~98-2,000 mg EPA/490-1,000 mg DHA) per day, for 1-12 months in patients with hyperhomocysteinemia or elevated homocysteine within normal ranges (8)(11)(13)(17)(18)(19)(25)(30)(42)(43)

Reduced homocysteine by 1.18-1.58 μmol/L on average using wide dose ranges, as shown in meta-analyses (8)(18)

Reduced homocysteine by ~2.5-4.0 μmol/L in patients with type II diabetes, patients on hemodialysis, or healthy adults using mid-range doses of 2,000-3,600 mg per day for 1-3 months and up to one year (11)(17)(25)(30)(42)(43)

Reduced homocysteine by ~1.6 μmol/L over 12 months in patients younger than 65 years, previously suffering from myocardial infarction (13)

Adjunct therapy with folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 improved efficacy (8)(17)

Adjunct aerobic exercise and cognitive stimulation may be required for benefit in some populations, including older adults with mild cognitive impairment (19)