Gene Testing Does Not Tell The Whole Story
I regularly hear from people who have recently discovered they are MTHFR mutated and concerned that their health is in jeopardy. Having been one of the first medical groups to conduct gene testing we have had the opportunity to comprehensively assess our patients' status beyond just gene mutations. I am happy to report that many of the healthiest patients we have seen over the years are MTHFR mutated. It’s important to understand that the mutation does not necessarily mean you are methyl folate deficient.
The mutation simply means you have a reduced capacity to produce Methyl Folate. Methyl Folate’s role in the body is to restore Methionine, an essential amino acid which is critical to the Methylation cycle. Both Methyl Folate and Methionine are easy to obtain in the diet. Mutations are common, in fact they are the norm. The question isn’t are you mutated, it’s how are you adapting to your mutations.
Many of you with MTHFR mutation have nothing to worry about. In fact for many the mutation can be protective in particular for cancer. While Folate can be cancer preventive it also can be a growth promoter. This is why I always remind people that Methylation is all about balance.
Lab Testing is Essential:
Ultimately if you are going to take your methylation seriously knowing your mutations is not enough. It is essential to test the major byproducts of the Methylation cycle including Homocysteine, Glutathione, SAM, SAH, Methionine, Sarcosine, MMA, Creatinine, CoQ10, Carnitine, Cysteine, Taurine, Sulfate, and vitamins B2, B3, B6, B12, Biopterin along with a Folate analysis including Folate (serum and red blood cell) Folic Acid, Methyl Folate, 5 Formyl Folate, 10 Formyl Folate, and minerals Zinc, Manganese, Selenium, Magnesium, and Copper. Copper deficiency alone can lower methylation by as much as 20%, where copper excess can block SAHH enzyme and thus block the re-methylation cycle, that is it’s blocking the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine.
This is just a brief sample of what we would routinely test in our Orthomolecular Medical clinic. This data will give you insights as to how your body is adapting to your personal biochemical situation and gene mutations.
Resources for Laboratory: Spectracell Micronutrient testing
