Have you reduced your gluten, dairy, sugar, phytic acid and processed foods and still have a sensitive, sore gut? Around 40-60% of us have this variation, so it’s not uncommon.
Basically MTHFR is all about ‘methylation’ and your liver – your major organ of detoxification – can’t do its job properly, so your body is like one big waste disposal unit. It also will make you ‘estrogen dominant’ – hello endometriosis/PCOD, gain weight, experience intense emotions and digestive issues. Other symptoms include – food intolerances, behavioural issues, heart disease, mood and nervous system issues, body aches, and so, so much more. See http://mthfr.net/ for more info on symptoms.
‘The Methylation Cycle’ is the major biochemical pathway in our bodies that contributes to a wide range of crucial body functions, such as detoxification, immune function, mood balancing, and more. If one pathway is hindered, such as in the case of MTHFR mutations, other pathways, which are reliant on it, will also be hindered. This will end up causing a ‘hindered ripple effect’ throughout the entire body, and many of its processes, resulting in a myriad of chronic diseases.
Two of the main concerns of the MTHFR mutation are –
1. This mutation inhibits the body’s ability to ‘methylate’. This means converting folic acid into Methylfolate. Methylfolate is the active and usable form of folic acid, and if the body is not getting enough of this usable folate at the cell level, a dangerous cycle begins and leads to deficiencies and a multitude of health issues.
2. Our ability to detoxify is extremely hindered. Everyday toxins are coming in, and in a normal healthy individual, toxins are also going out. In other words, continual re-toxing and de-toxing. But when you have a MTHFR mutation, toxins get trapped, and will continue to build up over the years.
The thing is if you have this gene mutation then taking folic acid in a supplement is like swallowing poison. Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate (the good stuff in green leafy vegetables), and is added to many of today’s foods, and most all multi-vitamins. And btw, wheat in Australia has been fortified with folic acid (and iodised salt) since 2009, unless it’s organic.
My check list in the treatment of MTHFR –
- Eating and live a healthy, natural, and non-toxic life.
- Meditate.
- Take high doses of zinc, B12, iron, methylfolate, Co Q10 and something for your liver like St. Mary’s Thistle, and for your hormones try magnolia and Chaste Tree.
- Ensure you’re getting loads of natural folate in your diet – leafy greens, legumes/lentils, citrus, etc
- Avoiding the synthetic form of folate – folic acid – in supplements and fortified foods, and instead, use supplements with the methylfolate and methylcobalamin (B12).
- Continue to avoid dairy and wheat products. There has been speculation that there is a correlation between mutations on the C677T gene and intolerances to these two foods.
- Sweat as much as possible. Sweating is one of the best natural ways to expel toxins from the body. ie. sauna, exercise.
- Juice a few times every week, if not daily. This is great for both folate and detoxification. Make it a veggie juice, not fruit.
