MTHFR Notes
UPDATE- Please visit the MTHFR website by clicking HERE. It will provide you with answers to your many questions about MTHFR.
Warning to MTHFR patients- Using nitrous oxide (laughing gas- anesthesia) can cause major problems, including death.
Nitrous oxide, when given to people with MTHFR, blocks the production of methionine, which plays an important role in DNA synthesis of neurotransmitters and myelin, the insulating material covering nerves. http://www.fertilethoughts.com/forums/genetic-issues/375471-mthfr-nitrous-oxide.html
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Explanation of MTHFR: Most of the population has some form of it causing easy bruising or a clotting issue. It has also been associated with pregnancy issues and being able to maintain pregnancies as women will not be able to support their own folic acid levels and a baby's. Occasionally it will be a little more serious and can cause early heart disease resulting in heart attacks as early as late 20's (if not treated). On rare occasion a bad combination of the 50 MTHFR genes will pair up and a person will end up with the inability to process metals and sulfates. The metals will deposit directly into their brain causing Autism, and sulfates will raise a naturally occurring homocystine levels to toxic state, which destroys nerve and muscle tissue.
How do our bodies keep homocystine in check? Folic acid breaks down homocystine. However, people with MTHFR have issues with absorbing or maintaining folic acid (they aren't sure), so they have low lvls of it and their homocystine can get out of control. They also have a tendency to have B vitamin deficiency, so treatments usually includes a large dose of folic acid and a gambit of B vitamins. We also have to avoid all metals and sulfates, including vaccinations (flu has thermerisol and those that don't have aluminum). There is also a long list of medication we have to avoid that raise homocystine levels (seizure medicine), lower folic acid, or could kill a person because their body can't process Nitrous Oxide. http://paws4piper.weebly.com/mthfr-faq.html
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Sulfates are also bad for these kids. It is very confusing to hear about tons of foods containing sulfites, but I assure you Sulfate and Sulfite are 2 different things. So far there haven't been any links to Sulfites and MTHFR. So if your child has issues with foods with sulfites, then he/she probably has sensitivity or an allergy.
All of the following either contain metals, sulfates, OR will lower the folic acid levels or raise the homocystine levels, all of which are detrimental to someone with MTHFR.
Sulfate and Sulfite are 2 different things. So far there haven't been any links to Sulfites and MTHFR. If you or your child has issues with foods with sulfites, then he/she probably has a sensitivity or an allergy.
Medications to avoid
Antiepileptic Drugs (seizure meds)
Cyclosporine - immunosuppressant (post organ transplant)
Antihypertensive (high blood pressure meds)
Erythropoietin (aids RBC production and brain damage repair)
Levodopa (parkinsons and RLS)
Lithium (mania)
Neroleptics (anti-psychotics/depression)
Nitrous Oxide
Oral Contraceptives
Theophylline (breathing treatment)
Fish Oil (has Mercury, use Flax Seed as substitute)
Clioquinol (antifungal)
Diuretics
Drug increasing gastric ph (antacids)
Isoniazid (TB, depression)
Lipid lowering drugs (cholesterol meds)
Methotrexate (CA, RA, skin issues) {reduces foliate intake}
Nitroglycerin
Oral anti-diabetic drugs
Sulfates
Immunizations
Foods and Food Preservatives:
Do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury. Albacore ("white") tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna.
Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.
Fish sticks and "fast-food" sandwiches are commonly made from fish that are low in mercury.
Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. If no advice is available, eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don't consume any other fish during that week.
In 2009, the Environmental Health Journal reported on a study conducted by a team led by Renee Dufault that found high fructose corn syrup had high levels of mercury.
Neil’s MTHFR Information Videos (4 continuing clips from one presentation):
(http://www.renewashoe.com/medical/MTHFR_1.wmv )
(http://www.renewashoe.com/medical/MTHFR_2.wmv )
(http://www.renewashoe.com/medical/MTHFR_3.wmv )
(http://www.renewashoe.com/medical/MTHFR_4.wmv )
Please click here for original webpage and more excellent information.
NOTES from videos:
Genes 677 and 1298 have different symptoms. Having both is worse/harder to treat.
C677- toxic to nerves, muscles and heart. Blood clots, painful nerves. Pregnancy outcome problems.
1298- Associated with depression, anxiety, IBS, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, migraines, dementia, nerve pain, schiz, Parkinson’s.
MTHFR gene takes folic acid and makes it into useful things in your body to protect nerves, helps serotonin levels.
People who don’t activate vitamin B-6 well are included in this disorder.
Rather than treat with medications that try to address medical conditions, treat MTHFR to get to root of problem
If you have a 677 and 1298 you have worse symptoms and associated with blood clots.
This is the gene (1298) that codes for genius.
Glutathione clears body of toxic metals. Traditionally a hair analysis test was popular for metal testing, but often body is unable to function properly and/or clear toxins so the toxins can’t get to hair to be measured.
Glutathione is decreased in MTHFR patients- related to memory problems in Alzheimer’s.
If you have defects it causes a hyper stimulation of brain and it can lead to depression. Need B-12 (methyl foliate). Fresh garden veggies make people feel better.
Participation in music (band) activities because of structure. Piano, etc.
Having the gene defects means you don’t clear metals well. Trying to clear them you can overload system and symptoms worsen over time.
Genetic susceptibility to cancer because your body can’t heal. Kidney failure related. Addiction is very possible.
Limit heavy metal exposure
Drink filtered water.
Bad diet makes it worse.
Certain meds decrease folic acid or increase utilization of folic acid.
Laughing gas is bad.
Diabetes problems worse in MTHFR
Clotting disorders are worse.
Aggravates many conditions.
Symptoms include- social problems, OCD, depression, poor memory, abdominal, cancer, liver, lung, immune, premature graying. Linked to autism (98% have one of these gene defects.)
Flu vaccine and other vaccines make autism worse in those with MTHFR. If you must get one, get one without mercury and aluminum.
Zantac, prilocect, diabetes drugs, etc can cause problems in MTHFR patients.
Hypothyroid problems.
Smoking makes it worse.
Fresh fruits, especially berries are good to use.
Regular folic acid won’t work for the genetic disorder. You can get a more activate form, but if you have defect it won’t help much.
15-18% have genetic disorder.
Almost ½ population has one gene defect.
Benefit of methyl foliate- much more bioavailable.
Look at metabolic pathway to determine how to supplement to improve situation.
Trial and error. Which symptoms are bothering you?
Methytrilate folic needed for serotonin.
Deflin is used as adjunct for depression. Serafolin marketed for Alzheimer’s. Anacedalcystine helps with neuro, nerves, fibro, etc.
Meda NX (active form of folic acid and active form of B-6) helps many problems, especially nerve repair. Use methyl B-12 too.
OTC methyltetrahydrofolate can be purchased online- more expensive than prescription. May be hard to find.
Genetic testing can be used against you.
Knowing you have disorder can help you address it and it can be addressed.
Place you can get testing without doctor’s orders. Cost about $300.00 for MTHFR.
Does affect kids, parents. Need to know.
If you have MTHFR get rid of mercury fillings.
Neuropathy can be very bad in patients with MTHFR.
Only add one thing in at a time.
Use reverse osmosis filter for water to drink and cook.
Consider heavy metal testing. Do chelation if a lot.
Take chelating agents- work with someone who does that.
Hair and stool tests not good.
10-15 fold in pre-post testing.
Most labs do heavy metal tests. Geneva Labs in North Carolina.
Methyl foliate- not easy to find. NOT generic kind. Must be the “active” form.
Deplin
B-6
P5V
Anacytalcystine
Methyl B-12 and Methyl B-9 must have. B-9 most important.
In severe fibro- shots work best but hurt.
Lowers blood sugars using meds.
Sunlight hurts eyes, but zinc helps with it.