MTHFR?

[Pat Robinson]

Must look at current research in PubMed. MTHFR just identified around 1998, variants in 2001 and 2003. 35-50% of Americans affected with this gene polymorphism. Mandatory folic acid fortification in our foods since January 1, 1998.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19455642
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21069446
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19440165
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19267885

Mark Hyman, MD (has MTHFR, iirc) has been making connections.
http://medicineworks.com/folic-acid-killer-or-cure-all-mark-hyman-md

And Stephen Smith, MD:
http://www.mindmeister.com/12721370/mthfr-treatment
http://www.mindmeister.com/12694596/mthfr-related-health-problems

And Neil Rawlins. MD (has MTHFR, iirc):
http://www.renewashoe.com/medical/
http://www.nwhealthcare.net/index.php?id=40
http://www.rawlins.org/mthfr/mthfr.html

And Joel Fuhrman, MD:
http://www.drfuhrman.com/library/folic_acid_dangers_and_prenatal_vi...

"We" mandate folic acid in prenatal vitamins and this is not metabolized properly by the 40% of the population with MTHFR and thus food folate is less able to be utilized. Concurrently, we are having increased rates of impaired detoxification (with MTHFR and impaired methylation due to folic acid fortification) and increased ASD (which has some genetic connection).

Here is more again: http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/thread/1184692/real-folate...

 

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genetic polymorphisms and psychiatric disorders: a HuGE review.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17074966
http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/165/1/1.full

 

MTHFR genetic polymorphism and autism spectum disorders.
http://heal-thyself.ning.com/profiles/blogs/mthfr-1
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2610366/
http://74.125.155.132/scholar?q=cache:cmtcxvbrAD0J:scholar.google.c...

 

Folate pathway genetic polymorphisms are related to attention disorders.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18154909
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20870238

 

Meta-analysis of genetic studies on major depressive disorder.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17938638

 

More from Kenneth Bock, MD:

http://www.autismone.org/content/healing-new-childhood-epidemics-th...

 

Here is more about the Nutrigenomics related to the MTHFR gene.

 

general info here: http://heal-thyself.ning.c om/forum/topics/mthfr-c677 t-folate

more extensive lay explanation: http://heal-thyself.ning.c om/profiles/blogs/folate-v s-folic-acid

great tutorial (video) about homocysteine: http://heal-thyself.ning.c om/video/homocysteine-1

The Basics: http://www.detoxpuzzle.com /mthfr.php

chart of folate pathways: http://heal-thyself.ning.c om/group/nutritionbiochemi stry/forum/topics/folic-ac id-cycle

food sources: http://heal-thyself.ning.c om/forum/topics/folate-1

 

 

 

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[Pat Robinson]

Start here: http://mthfr.net/

Detox Puzzle: http://www.detoxpuzzle.com/
Eating Cultures: http://www.eatingcultures.com/tikiwiki-2.2/tiki-index.php

(those two are helpful for identifying blocked detox pathways)

More about detox pathways: http://heal-thyself.ning.com/forum/topics/detox-obstacle-course

the long version: http://www.tuberose.com/Liver_Detoxification.html

Basically, 40% of the American population has the MTHFR gene polymorphism. The concern is not being able to utilize synthetic folic acid for effective detoxification. So, we end up with toxin overload issues, especially heavy metals. Food folate, B6 and B12 and magnesium help to detox properly. They are available in food. Dr. Lynch has supplements available for the MTHFR population. We disagree (a bit) about food as the primary source of nutrients. :-)

Tongue-tie is one of about 50 disorders associated with the MTHFR gene. http://mthfr.net/mthfr-mutations-and-the-conditions-they-cause/2011...

[Pat Robinson]

Folate vs. folic acid.

[Aischa Ibnouzahir]

Holy Moly, this is one lab I regret googling! All of a sudden I feel like I am at the bottom of a cliff, wondering how to get up it.

On the positive side, knowledge beats repeatedly seeking help from the regular Doctor's office (as opposed to the Functional Medicine Doctor) and keep getting brushed aside with band-aid prescriptions and no answers, or things to try.

I'll have to start reading, even though it looks like it is enough material to last a whole semester.

Thanks!

[Pat Robinson]

Welcome, glad/sorry you found us, iykwim. {{{hugs}}}

Consider starting an "About Me" thread in the Wellness Forum with your history, health issues, alternatives you tried... we'll chime in to help trouble-shoot.


Pat

[Pat Robinson]

This meta-analysis demonstrates an association between the MTHFR C677T variant and depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, raising the possibility of the use of folate in treatment and prevention.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17074966
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22370993
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21955385

"High tHcy but low folate and vitamin B12 levels may be a risk factor for development of bipolar disorder."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18513846

Many antipsychotic pharmaceuticals are detoxified by the CYP450 gene/enzyme which is commonly an issue with bipolar, also.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1390790/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC161731/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18537577

Additionally, antipsychotics often impair folate absorption.

Bipolar aggression can be related to folate deficiency. NOT "folic acid", the synthetic vitamin. Folate as 5-MTHF or food folate: beans, greens, liver and legumes.

You might contact Dr Ben Lynch at MTHFR.net: http://mthfr.net/methylfolate-taking-too-much-a-problem/2012/01/08/

MTHFR and Psyciatric Disorders: http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/165/1/1.long

pdf version: http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2006/10/30/aje.kwj347.full.pdf

Nutritional doses of Lithium Orotate may also be helpful for aggression.
http://www.jacn.org/content/21/1/14.full
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1699579
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7662499

There is strong evidence that omega-3 fatty acids have a beneficial effect in bipolar disorder.
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/disease/bipolar-disorder

Magnesium deficiency is common, and associated with aggression. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3365326

Pat

[Pat Robinson]

MTHFR.net and MTHFR-MD are additional resources.


Pat

[Gilla Weiss]

I finally got tested and I have 2 copies of the  A1298C.  Iam having a little "aha" moment here :) where I feel like I have found the missing piece to the puzzle of my personal, unique health.

I have been supplementing with L-5 mthf for a while now, since I did suspect this  and also giving  my kids,  Now that I am positive, I can get my kids tested.  Yay! there is power in knowledge!!   There is so much info here that I need to go back and read, thanks Pat for putting all this info here.