What is a MTHFR Gene Mutation and How is it Affecting Your Health?

It is estimated that about 25% of the population has a MTHFR gene mutation which has many adverse effects. One of the effects is the inability to break down folic acid and it must be supplemented in the form of “methyltetrahyrofolate” or “metafolin” or “folinic acid”. When the body cannot break down folic acid, you end up with high levels of homocysteine. The effect of high homocysteine takes many forms and they are still being discovered. But here is what is known:

The effects of a MTHFR gene mutation is that the liver doesn't fully do it's job and it can cause: blood clots, stroke, depression, autism, bi-polar disorder, cardiovascular disease and infertility or several miscarriages.

And how is the gene mutation “turned on”? Usually methylation is inhibited by Candida overgrowth in the gut. And what is the #1 cause for Candida (or yeast)? It is heavy metals toxicity. So the best way to help the body with this type of gene mutation is to detox heavy metals first and then kill Candida while supporting methylation which is the liver's ability to breakdown toxins. So unfortunately, when I help patients with the mutation their detox program has to go slow so the already slow liver doesn't get backed up with the detox and become even slower.



However, we know now that it is possible for a gene mutation to be “turned on” and “turned off” with environmental factors. So what can you do if you suspect a MTHFR gene mutation?

#1 – Get a geneticist to run the tests to look for a MTHFR gene variation. Or www.23andme.com tests for methylation SNPs. You download your 23 and me results into genetic genie to get methylation information. It is only $99 and is a spit test. LiveWello can also interpret your raw data from the 23 and me test for you.

*And please be advised that testing levels of folic acid in the blood does NOT tell us anything. The only true measure of one's folic acid is measured with a spinal tap and that is very invasive.

#2 – Treat the Yeast. Eat a low sugar diet with more healthy fats like coconut oil, olive oil & avocado and less grains and carbs. Yeast feeds on sugar & carbs. Also get muscle tested for the right, exact supplements and dosage you need to kill the yeast.

#3 – Take Methyltetrahydrafolate. I like 5-MTHF by Thorne. 5-MTHF is the most biologically active form of the B-vitamin folic acid. 5MTHF works in concert with vitamin B12 in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine.

#4 – Removing the heavy metals from the body and brain is the only way to possibly reverse the effects of the gene mutation.

#5 - Most importantly....please know that this mutation makes detoxification difficult for the body. So, go green and keep toxins away!