MTHFR Mutations: The Impact on Your Health

If you’ve been feeling tired or run down lately, it could be due to a hidden health condition – a mutation in the MTHFR gene. While this may sound daunting, there are ways to manage this mutation and improve your overall health and wellbeing. Keep reading to learn more about the impact this can play on your health and what you can do to feel your best.

What Are MTHFR Mutations?

They are relatively common, occurring in about 10-20% of the population. MTHFR stands for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, an essential enzyme in the body responsible for converting folate (Vitamin B9) into its active form, methyl-folate which is essential for a process called methylation. Methylation helps to repair cells and DNA, process toxins and hormones, metabolize B vitamins, and regulate neurotransmitters.

Folate is a nutrient found in leafy green vegetables, legumes, and some fortified foods that is important for many functions in the body, including DNA synthesis and repair. A mutation in the MTHFR gene can result in reduced activity of this enzyme, leading to a build-up of unmetabolized folate in the body.

While relatively common, they can significantly impact health. So let’s look closely at how they affect your overall health and wellbeing.

How MTHFR Mutations Can Affect Your Health

MTHFR mutations can affect many different aspects of health, including energy levels, mood, mental health, and more.

• Energy levels: One of the most common symptoms is fatigue. This can be due to a build-up of unmetabolized folate in the body, which can interfere with energy production.
• Mood: MTHFR mutations have also been linked to mood disorders like anxiety and depression. This may be due to the impact on neurotransmitter production and the body’s ability to detoxify harmful substances.
• Mental health: MTHFR mutations have also been associated with cognitive decline and dementia. This may be due to the impact of MTHFR mutations on homocysteine levels, as high homocysteine levels have been linked to cognitive decline.
• Cardiovascular health: MTHFR mutations can also affect cardiovascular health, because it can lead to a build-up of homocysteine in the blood, which is a risk factor for heart disease.
• Detoxification: Methylation is essential for detoxification. Those with a MTHFR mutations are more susceptible to mold toxicity, toxic heavy metals, and the loads of toxins we are exposed to in our food, water, air, and household products.
• Chronic Disease/Infection: You may be at risk for an array of chronic illnesses if your body has difficulty in processing toxins. Inhibited methylation is linked with both autoimmune disease and high homocysteine, an inflammatory amino acid. Chronic inflammation is the most common symptom of an autoimmune condition.
• Hormonal Imbalances & Infertility: Poor methylation has been linked to infertility, women who struggle carrying a pregnancy to full term, and preeclampsia. Methylation also aids in breaking down hormones, when lowered, hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid hormones can become imbalanced.

What Can You Do To Manage an MTHFR Mutation?

If you have an MTHFR mutation, there are things you can do to help mitigate its effects on your overall health.

First, eating a healthy diet with plenty of leafy green vegetables, legumes, and fortified foods is crucial. This will help ensure you’re getting enough folate, even if your body isn’t able to convert it as efficiently.

You may also want to supplement with methylated B vitamins, including methyl B12 and methylfolate. These vitamins can help improve the function of the MTHFR enzyme and reduce the build-up of unmetabolized folate in the body.

Finally, it’s important to manage stress levels and get adequate rest. This can help improve energy levels, mood, and overall health.

You must talk to your doctor if you think you may have an MTHFR mutation. They can order a test to confirm the mutation and develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.

While an MTHFR mutation can significantly impact your health, there are things you can do to manage it and feel your best. By following these tips, you can help improve your energy levels, mood, mental health, and more.

How Functional Medicine Can Help

Functional medicine practitioners can help to identify MTHFR mutations and provide treatment that can improve overall health. MTHFR mutations can cause a build-up of homocysteine in the blood. This can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and other conditions. Functional medicine practitioners can order special tests to check for MTHFR mutations and homocysteine levels. They may also recommend specific supplements, such as folic acid or B vitamins to help address the condition’s root cause. They may also recommend lifestyle changes, such as reducing stress or increasing exercise. By working with a functional medicine practitioner, people with MTHFR mutations can take steps to improve their health and reduce their risk of serious disease.

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