You might be shocked to learn that almost 50 percent of people have trouble metabolizing B vitamins like folate from the food they eat. The MTHFR gene abnormality (Methyl-Tetra-Hydro-Folate-Reductase) is associated with various chronic health conditions, so it’s essential to understand how folate metabolism works and why it is necessary for our health.
The Importance of Folate Methylation
Folate is a crucial vitamin found in the B complex group of vitamins. We obtain it from our daily diet, and it is required to make DNA and drive methylation reactions in our cells. Methylation is a biochemistry term referring to the donation of a methyl group to essential enzymes in the body. The process is so critical that without it, you could experience difficulty repairing DNA, detoxifying your blood, manufacturing neurotransmitters, and recycling vital molecules. Insufficient methylation contributes to various illnesses, from cognitive impairment to heart disease and more.
Our genetic code consists of 23 pairs of chromosomes found within the nuclei of our body’s cells. Genetic variants in your chromosomes cause you to experience various diseases, including a common and crucial genetic variant in the MTHFR gene that controls both folate metabolism and key enzymes.
MTHFR Gene SNP and Associated Illnesses
A genetic variation (abnormality) of just one amino acid in the gene sequence, known as a “single nucleotide polymorphism” (SNP), can cause the MTHFR gene SNP. If you inherit SNP from your father or mother, you are heterozygous for that gene SNP. And if you get the gene SNP from both of your parents, you are homozygous for that gene SNP.
When the MTHFR gene SNP occurs, essential enzymes stop working. The MTHFR gene controls our body’s chief antioxidant and detoxifier, glutathione. It also regulates folate metabolism and creates elevated homocysteine concentrations when it’s not functioning properly.
So how common is the MTHFR gene SNP, and what does it mean for you? It’s estimated that 50% of us are heterozygous (inherited one copy) while up to 25% of us are homozygous (inherited two copies) of the “C677T” variant. The prevalence of having one copy (heterozygous) of the MTHFR gene SNP in Italians, Hispanics, and Asians is up to 20% greater than in Caucasians and Africans.
If you have two copies of C677T, you will have at least a 50-60% reduced MTHFR activity. The MTHFR gene SNP contributes to various conditions, including:
- Cancer (cervical cancer, lymphoma)
- Heart disease, stroke, and vascular health
- Cognitive function (dementia) and mood disorders (depression)
- Low sperm count in men
- Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder
- Birth defects (neural tube defects) and miscarriage
Nutrigenomics and the MTHFR Gene SNP
The Human Genome Project has given birth to the science of “nutrigenomics,” focusing on how nutrients and nutritional status affect genetic expression within our bodies. For people with the MTHFR gene SNP, this means addressing a wider range of chronic diseases not yet scientifically studied.
For instance, it’s been discovered that those with the MTHFR gene SNP can’t break down toxins or heavy metals well, leading to elevated iron, copper, lead, or mercury levels. They also have reduced glutathione levels, which can lead to chemical sensitivity, irritable bowel symptoms, migraines, and more symptoms that may not have a specific “diagnosis.”
It’s essential to pay attention to your nutritional status and environment, as both can affect the expression of the MTHFR gene SNP. It’s a good idea to test for the MTHFR gene polymorphism, especially if you suspect you may have inherited it from both of your parents and be in a more susceptible position for various health conditions.
