So I've received my genetic results from 23andme, and according to livewello, I have issues with my MTHFR gene and with methylation (amongst other things).
Where is the best place to get the results interpreted, and get advice re diet/treatment?
Btw, I'm in the UK.
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NorfolkRose
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Although I'm not a doctor, I can offer some advice if you do have methylation problems. The MTHFR protein processes the final step in the production of methyltetrahydrofolate (MTHF). MTHF is what is used to activate B12 by methylating it. If you don't have enough MTHF then your B12 can't do its job properly. Taking MTHF (called methyl folate or Metafolin) can create the MTHF that you're lacking.
Dietary advice is the same for everybody - eat a balanced diet. If you suspect some foods cause problems then remove them from your diet for a few weeks, then slowly reintroduce them. Resist the temptation to believe woo-woo fads. Anybody who says that 'x-superfood' can fix your problems is a snake-oil-selling con artist (or somebody who has already been conned by one).
"If you don't have enough MTHF then your B12 can't do its job properly. Taking MTHF (called methyl folate or Metafolin) can create the MTHF that you're lacking"
Thank you. I've also used GeneticGenie, but the MTHF doesn't show up in the report.
Kinda related; I'm ok with COMs, but not with VDR Taq. Supposed to effect dopamine regulation, etc (causes low moods). How did yours come out?
Very interesting. I would summarise it by saying...
For most people folic acid is just as good as methyl folate. However, a small percentage of people do benefit from supplementing with methyl folate rather than folic acid.
So, why take the risk? If you've been tested as positive for known methylation problems why not take methyl folate? Yes, it may not work any better than folic acid, but there's a chance that it will. And it won't work any worse. The only downside is that it's a little more expensive.
Methylfolate may have huge side effects in some people. It did for me. Lots of people are reporting pretty scary side effects. And we can't assume it's completely safe for everyone.
There are at least 40 genetic variations that can cause methylation problems, though there are two variations that are particularly common - some more details on the most common are below
I'm not an expert by any means - don't know if it is a factor for me or not.
Because the gene could come from either one or two parents so you could have a single copy or a double copy of the variation that can also impact on exactly what issues you might have with the methylation process. Knowing that you have genetic variations that affect methylation is part of the process but - as allyson's response indicates - you really need to know exactly which genes, and hence which problems you are likely to encounter.
This article gives some advice on diet and supplementation that you may find useful, if it is C677t that is affecting you - the other genetic variation is
Thank you Gambit for the links. I do have elevated homocysteine (sp?) and also B12 (tested at St Thomas), so I'm thinking that the body isn't utilizing the B12 very well.
I have no experience of it/her but you could try posting your questions at the end of the article and see what you get.
Has anyone else seen this? (My apologies if you have posted it before and I haven't seen it). I found the things she says clear and simple to understand.
Not seen that before, but I wouldn't trust anything from somebody who doesn't even know the difference between 'wild type' and 'wildcard' when discussing genetics, as well as numerous other errors.
This seems a good example of the sort of thing that the video liked to by Allyson1 warns about.
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