One of the standard gene variants that my Integrative MD tests for is MTHFR or the Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase variant. MTHFR is an enzyme that adds a methyl group to folic acid to make it usable by the body. I happen to carry the homozygous c677t expression. It is estimated that about 10% of the population carries this specific variant and at least 40% of the population carries at least one of the different MTHFR variants discovered. I believe it is important to be tested for MTHFR expressions so you can know specifically how to adjust your lifestyle and nutrition to work with your genes and not against them.
My husband also happens to carry the same expression so as a family, we have adjusted the way we live to better work with the gene expressions that we carry. We also believe in the principle of epigenetics, which tells us that we can turn genes on and off with our nutrition, lifestyle, and thought life. We may have been born with some extra challenges, but we do not have to be a victim of our biology.
Some of the things that we do are:
Take special supplements with methylated forms of B-vitamins so they are more bio-available for our bodies to use. For instance, to make sure our bodies have enough vitamin b9 we eat folate rich foods and/or take a methyl-folate supplement instead of ingesting the synthetic form of b9 called folic acid. Our doctor specifically put us on this supplement called Metabolic Synergy
Avoid common toxins that may trigger reactions because of our body’s reduced ability to detox such as alcohol, heavy metals, etc.
Avoid toxic stress since that further inhibits our body’s ability to methylate and detox, and focus on a simple lifestyle and positive mental attitude.
Below are some links to resources where you can learn a little bit more about the little bit that we now know about MTHFR expressions.
You can learn more about MTHFR and how to get tested in this post from Wellness Mama