Genes are the basic units of heredity passed down from your mother and father. Everyone has two MTHFR genes, one inherited from your mother and one from your father. Mutations can occur in one or both MTHFR genes. There are different types of MTHFR mutations.
What if both parents have MTHFR?
Because each person has two copies of the MTHFR gene , people can inherit one copy of a MTHFR gene variant or two copies of it (one from each parent). People who inherit two copies of C677T have a higher risk for having a child with a neural tube defect.
Can you have kids with MTHFR?
Some health conditions and disorders can result without enough folate, or with a malfunctioning MTHFR gene. During pregnancy, women who test positive for a mutated MTHFR gene may have a higher risk for miscarriages, preeclampsia, or a baby born with birth defects, such as spina bifida.
What do you do if you have the MTHFR gene mutation?
- Consume more folate and vitamin B12. Consuming more folate in your diet may aid with methylation.
- Support detoxification.
- Minimize alcohol intake.
- Manage your stress with lifestyle changes.
- Check your supplements.
- Heal any underlying digestive issues.
If you have an MTHFR mutation, your MTHFR gene may not work right. This may cause too much homocysteine to build up in the blood, leading to various health problems, including: Homocystinuria, a disorder that affects the eyes, joints, and cognitive abilities. It usually starts in early childhood.
As both DNA methylation and folate are important in mental health, reduction of MTHFR activity or folate deficiency have been associated with an onset of several psychiatric diseases10, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, autism, and ADHD.Nov 5, 2018
What does MTHFR do to the body?
The MTHFR gene provides instructions for your body to make the MTHFR protein, which helps your body process folate. Your body needs folate to make DNA and modify proteins. A gene variant is a change in a DNA sequence that is different from the expected DNA sequence.Jul 6, 2020
How do you know if you have MTHFR?
A doctor can determine whether or not a person has an MTHFR variant by reviewing their medical history, considering their current symptoms, and performing a physical examination. The doctor may recommend running a blood test to check the person's homocysteine levels.Jan 3, 2020
Can MTHFR make you tired?
MTHFR A1298C mutations are tied to higher levels of fibromyalgia, IBS, fatigue, chronic pain, schizophrenia, and mood-related problems. This is especially true if you've inherited the mutation from both parents or have both forms of MTHFR mutations.
What cancers are associated with MTHFR?
The authors of one systematic review and meta-analysis examined data from 50 studies with 19,260 cases and 26,364 controls. They determined that the MTHFR C677T mutation appears to increase the risk of both breast cancer and ovarian cancer, especially among Asian women.
Can MTHFR mutation be cured?
MTHFR mutations do not require medical treatment. That said, making dietary and lifestyle changes can often help offset any resulting nutritional deficiencies. For example, people with high homocysteine levels due to folate or vitamin B12 deficiencies can take folic acid or vitamin B12, respectively.Jan 3, 2020
What foods to avoid if you have MTHFR?
People with MTHFR mutations may want to avoid foods that contain the synthetic form of folate, folic acid — though the evidence is not clear that's necessary or beneficial. Be sure to check labels, as this vitamin is added to many enriched grains, like pasta, cereals, breads, and commercially produced flours.