MTHFR
Much information has come to light about the prevalence of genetic mutations causing decreased levels of active folate in the human body. Lack of folate used to be thought of only as the cause of serious birth defects such as spina bifida and cleft palate. These defects are commonly caused by lack of folate in the diet which is the main reason these birth defects are mostly seen in lesser developed countries where quality food is scarce for poor people.
However, we now realise that genetic mutations altering the absorption and processing of folic acid from the diet cause decreased folate in the body and lead to many diseases we are seeing on the rise in developed countries today: autism, IBS, infertility, cardiovascular disease, cancer, fibromyalgia, and schizophrenia to name a few. Each person has two genes affecting the metabolism of folate in the body. Both of these genes have two copies, one from the father and one from the mother. If both genes in a person have one mutation or one gene has two mutations, the activity of folate in the body is severely decreased, especially in diets low in folate. Folate is abundant in romaine lettuce, spinach, asparagus, turnip greens, mustard greens, calf liver, parsley, collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, and lentils. These are obviously not foods high on the list of "favorites" for most americans. Many people don't even know how to cook things like beets and mustard greens. This is one reason why diseases caused by these mutations are on the rise.
Since folate is needed for RNA and DNA replication, many processes in the body happening at the mitochondrial level don't happen as efficiently as necessary. These processes are responsible for energy production, red blood cell production, detoxification, recycling of homocysteine, and more.
For a detailed scientific explanation, click here
MTHFR genetic mutation and IBS, fibromyalgia Story
There is a simple genetic test costing only $150 that can find these genetic mutations. It is highly valuable to anyone wanting to get pregnant or has experienced the above diseases in themselve or their close relatives. I urge everyone to get tested. People with more complex diseases such as Autism, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia should get a complete genomic profile test that costs $385. This will check a variety of genetic mutations that affect many processes in the body explained by the first link given above ("scientific explanation").
Call the office if you'd like to explore these questions with us at 360-573-2273 in Vancouver and 360-353-3822 in Longview, WA.
^ Frosst P, Blom HJ, Milos R, Goyette P, Sheppard CA, Matthews RG, Boers GJ, den Heijer M, Kluijtmans LA, van den Heuvel LP et al. (May 1995). "A candidate genetic risk factor for vascular disease: a common mutation in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase". Nat. Genet. 10 (1): 111–3. doi:10.1038/ng0595-111. PMID 7647779.
^ Skibola CF, Smith MT, Kane E, Roman E, Rollinson S, Cartwright RA, Morgan G' (October 1999). "Polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene are associated with susceptibility to acute leukemia in adults". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 96 (22): 12810–5.doi:10.1073/pnas.96.22.12810. PMC 23109. PMID 10536004.
^ "Meta-Analysis of All Published Schizophrenia-Association Studies (Case-Control Only) for rs1801133 (C677T) polymorphism, MTHFR gene". Schizophrenia Research Forum. Retrieved 2007-03-11.
