To Eat or Not To Eat: Food and MTHFR | Seeking Health

The MTHFR Gene and Its Role in Your Health

Mostly depending on a gene known as MTHFR, a vital nutrient called folate exists in our bodies. This gene changes the folate we consume into its active form called methylate.

However, due to some dietary and hormonal issues, some people get a mutation in this gene. This mutation is followed by severe medical conditions, such as heart problems and increased levels of homocysteine.

This blog will enable you to grasp the unambiguous knowledge about the function of this gene and the possible consequences of a mutation in it.

Why is increased homocysteine dangerous?

Though homocysteine is an amino acid our body produces naturally, too high levels of it can be dangerous, especially in those with MTHFR mutations. Your body's homocysteine breakdown could raise your risk of:

• Heart diseases
• Blood clots
• Strokes
• Miscarriages in pregnant women

For patients with MTHFR mutations, maintaining homocysteine levels under control is therefore absolutely vital.

How Does Your Diet Affect MTHFR?

Our diet greatly influences MTHFR mutations since it either helps or prevents the body from absorbing folate.

It is advised to find the natural folate or its activated version, methylfolate, as persons with these mutations cannot absorb folate.

Foods to Avoid

For those with MTHFR variations, processed foods containing synthetic folic acid cause problems. These include:

• Fortified breakfast cereals
• White bread; pasta; commercially baked foods

With MTHFR mutations, the body finds these meals difficult to manage; hence, they should be avoided or eaten in moderation.

Foods Your Diet Should Include

• Romaine lettuce, kale, and spinach are among great natural sources of folates.
• Black beans, chickpeas, lentils, and other legumes provide folate and other vital nutrients.
• Excellent natural sources of natural folate and healthy fats include avocados.
• Both eggs and liver are high in natural folate that supports general wellness.

Methylated Supplements for MTHFR

Supplements are a much easier and affordable option to add it in your diet, if you can’t access natural folate foods. Here is how methylfolate and vitamins helps our body:

• Methylfolate is the natural form of folate not requiring conversion.
• Energy levels and brain performance benefit from vitamin B12 and methylcobalamin.
• Vitamin B6 controls homocysteine levels and boosts metabolism.

For patients who cannot effectively absorb folic acid, methylated supplements are vital and help prevent vitamin shortages that could aggravate MTHFR-related health problems.

The Importance of Detoxification

As this gene influences the body's capacity to get rid of harsh chemicals, those with MTHFR mutations commonly struggle with body detoxification. This can result in the aggravation of already existing medical conditions.

A diet heavy in foods high in antioxidants—berries, nuts, and cruciferous vegetables—helps promote detox pathways. Furthermore, the nutrients that help the body eliminate toxins include glutathione and NAC (N-acetyl cysteine).

Managing MTHFR Mutations through Lifestyle Changes

Apart from nutrition, various lifestyle changes enable individuals with MTHFR mutations to properly control their health:

Yoga

Meditating and yoga help to reduce homocysteine levels, as high stress or tension can increase them.

Exercise

Consistent exercise enhances cardiovascular health and helps to maintain homocysteine levels within a normal range.

Frequent health inspections

Regular blood tests allow you to keep an eye on your homocysteine levels, thereby helping to early on monitor hazards.

Adding up natural folate sources in your regular diet can help you manage your MTHFR mutations. They will excel at metabolism and break down complex components into their simpler and activated forms.

Incorporate natural folate into your diet easily with our carefully selected range, created to support your journey to a healthier lifestyle. Shop now to discover these essential nutrients and explore our full range of trusted supplements. Not sure where to start? Connect with our trained nutrition experts for personalized recommendations and guidance toward a healthier, more vibrant life!

Top recommended products for MTHFR support:

MethylPro L-Methylfolate 10 mg

L-methylfolate is the activated form of folate found in food and is used by the body for many biochemical reactions. Folate supports mood, heart, and nerve health as well as normal fetal development. Unlike folic acid, L-methylfolate does not require conversion by the MTHFR enzyme, a function that may be impaired by genetic variations present in about half the population. This product provides the bioactive form of folate in a 1 mg dose suitable for a broad array of supplementation needs regardless of MTHFR status.

Bioclinic Naturals 5-MTHF & B12 enges

• Provides clinically effective dose of the most active and bioavailable form of folate, which bypasses a common bottleneck (MTHFR) in the conversion of folate to its active form
• Each sublingual tablet also provides 50 mcg methylcobalamin, the primary circulating and biologically active form of vitamin B12
• Sublingual tablets are suitable for vegetarians, and allow for easy dosing
• In a base of active plant extracts, including many organic vegetables, and other bioactive plant compounds, including Theracurmin® curcumin

Vita Aid Methyl-Aide

Methyl-Aide is a comprehensive formula providing active methyl-donors (ie. 5-MTHF, methylcobalamin, betaine), plus other active B-vitamins and essential minerals, to support the methyl cycle, as well as its collateral pathways.

• Active P5P, 5-MTHF, methylcobalamin and betaine (TMG) to support methylation with MTHFR insufficiency.
• Essential minerals, vitamins and taurine to support collateral metabolic pathways to help reduce metabolic overload from methylation enhancement.
• Comes in flexible dosages to help patients build up their system to the target doses. It is crucial to always start low and go slow with MTHFR patients as their impaired metabolism makes them more sensitive.

MegaFood Methyl B12

The active coenzyme form of B12

MegaFood® Methyl B12 supports heart and blood health through methylated (active) forms of folate, B12, and B6, and helps to maintain healthy levels of homocysteine, an amino acid found in the blood. These vitamins are delivered together with nourishing, real food, and each mini-tablet can be taken on an empty stomach, any time throughout the day.

• Comes in an easy-to-swallow mini oval tablet

Protocol For Life Balance 5-Methyl Folate 1000 mcg 90 tabs

Folate consumed in the diet or from supplements must be converted to its active form, 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), to be used by the body. This is a multi-step biochemical process that, in some circumstances, may not be efficient enough to meet the body’s needs. In addition, unlike folic acid, 5-MTHF can penetrate the blood-brain barrier. This product utilizes a patented form of 5-MTHF with superior bioavailability.

• Metabolically Active Folate
• Superior Bioavailability

Jarrow Formulas Methyl Folate 60caps

"Methyl Folate ((6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate or (6S)-5-MTHF) is a highly biologically active form of folate.* Due to the body’s limited ability to convert synthetic folic acid into the active form of folate, supplementation with (6S)-5-MTHF is preferable."