MTHFR & Methylation

1. Identify the cause of your methylation issues

Having worked with hundreds of patients with MTHFR and methylation issues, Joanne has identified the major causes of methylation issues which are:

• Poor gut health – this causes malabsorption of the essential nutrients required for methylation including protein, folate, vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, zinc and choline.
• Stress – stress depletes the body of methyl groups so that you don’t have enough for other processes such as detoxification and histamine break down.
• Heavy alcohol consumption – alcohol depletes B vitamins, which are essential for the proper functioning of the methylation pathways.
• Consumption of Folic acid – folic acid is a synthetic form of folate that blocks the uptake of natural folate from food.
• Environmental toxin exposure – these place a heavy burden on the methylation pathways in the liver as well as deplete glutathione (the body’s major antioxidant).
• Bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic infections – infections cause inflammation, which will deplete the body of glutathione. In turn, homocysteine is lowered, resulting in inadequate amounts of homocysteine needed for methylation.
• Mould illness and oxalate toxicity – both can cause low homocysteine.
• Inadequate Vitamin B12 intake – Vitamin B12, which is only found in adequate amounts in animal protein, is essential for the proper functioning of the methylation pathways. Vegans and vegetarians are very susceptible to having low vitamin B12.
• Low Vitamin B6 and Zinc – deficiency in B6 and zinc is seen in people with pyrroluria and/or an overload of oxalate in the body. Oxalates can build up due to gut issues (yeast overgrowth, low levels of good bacteria, poor fat absorption), calcium deficiency, Vitamin B6 deficiency, and consuming foods high in oxalates.

2. Refer to the right tests

Doing the right tests is important to identify the cause of poor methylation.  It’s not always necessary to test for the MTHFR gene mutation as it’s only one gene in the methylation pathway.  Understanding what is impacting the MTHFR gene from the internal and external environment (ie, epigenetics) is more important.

We use the following blood tests to help assess each individual patient:

• Full blood count
• Biochemistry
• Lipid studies
• Iron studies
• TSH
• RBC folate
• Active B12
• Fasting homocysteine
• Plasma zinc
• Serum copper
• Vitamin D

We also use the following functional medicine tests:

• SIBO Test
• Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis
• Complete Microbiome Mapping
• DUTCH Hormones Test
• Organic Acids Test

Please note, not every patient needs to get these tests done.  Often signs and symptoms clearly indicate the cause of poor methylation.  You will be advised if you require any testing at your initial consultation.

3. Prescribe the right supplements

With so many supplements on the market, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and confused.  Having treated hundreds of patients with MTHFR & methylation issues, Joanne has identified the supplements that really work to provide positive results for her patients.  Simply taking methylfolate, methylcobalamin, B vitamins or SAMe is not the answer.  Often these supplements can make your symptoms worse.