MTHFR variant- inability to activate B vitamins

Posted on August 10, 2016 | Posted by

You have a genetic inability to effectively activate B vitamins. It can lead to many symptoms that have likely been present much of your life. This handout will describe some of the Basix, but much more information can be obtained at www.MTHFR.net .

The deficiency is an inability to activate the B vitamins. You may have plenty of vitamins circulating in your bloodstream, but they cannot get into the cells where they are needed. Throughout your life, your body has tried to compensate by creating as many receptors as possible on the individual cells to utilize whenever B vitamin is present.

Treatment of this we’ll instantaneously offer active B vitamins. There are often side effects as are described below, because the large number of receptors are “overstimulated” until they have a chance to return back to normal over the course of a few weeks. Therefore, you may need to slowly increase the dose to the effective amount.

  1. Setting a foundation- In order to minimize side effects, there are some nutrients that need be in place prior to adding active B vitamins. The regimen will be individualized, but may include a probiotic, vitamin D, fish oil, N-acetylcysteine, low-dose aspirin, and magnesium.
  2. If possible, avoid taking antacids and acid blockers (Pepcid, Zantac, Prilosec etc.) Because they can reduce the absorption of B vitamins. If they are needed, try to take the B vitamins at least an hour before antacids.
  3. Homocystex/Homocystex Plus is are supplements you can purchase online that contains a good make sure and quantity of needed activated B vitamins. See this recommended regimen to ramp up effective dosing. There is no rush to initiating the regimen. You’ve had a lifetime of insufficient active B vitamins. Make sure any side effects pass before moving on to the next step. Not everyone experiences side effects.

HomocysteX

  • avoid taking vitamin C within 30 minutes of taking HomocysteX – before or after.
  • upon waking, consider taking 1 capsule of HomocysteX with a glass of water.
  • if well tolerated, stay on 1 capsule of HomocysteX for 1 week.
  • if improving, consider adding in a 1/2 capsule of HomocysteX 30 minutes before lunch for one week.
  • if well tolerated, consider taking a full capsule of HomocysteX upon waking and also before lunch for one week.
  • each week, if well tolerated and feeling improvement, keep increasing by 1/2 capsule.
  • if well tolerated at 2 capsules upon waking and 2 capsules before lunch, cease the use of HomocysteX and switch to HomocysteX Plus

HomocysteX Plus

  • provides similar nutrients as HomocysteX with the addition of riboflavin-5-phosphate and betaine as TMG.
  • provides further methylation support and homocysteine-lowering nutrients
  • avoid taking vitamin C within 30 minutes of taking HomocysteX Plus – before or after
  • consider taking 1 capsule of HomocysteX Plus upon waking for a week.
  • if not well tolerated, stop the use and return back to HomocysteX.
  • if improving after one week, consider adding in a 1/2 capsule of HomocysteX Plus before lunch for one week.
  • if well tolerated, consider taking a full capsule upon waking and a full capsule before lunch.
  • each week, if well tolerated and feeling improvement, keep increasing by 1/2 capsule.
  • it is not expected to increase beyond 2 to 3 capsules upon waking and 2 to 3 capsules before lunch.

Call for questions or concerns.

 

The following is information obtained from the www.MTHFR.net website:

I have not included all the information in an effort to simplify. Full information is on the website.

Have one or two copies of the MTHFR C677T mutation?

Don’t know what to do?

After working with 100′s of individuals with this defect, I’ve developed a protocol which may help a significant number of people.

I want to make it absolutely clear that while the MTHFR C677T mutation may be common across a number of individuals, the outcome of supplementing with various nutrients can vary tremendously due to other genetic defects, dietary and lifestyle choices and environmental exposures.

Part I pertains to supporting both heterozygous (1 copy of C677T) and homozygous (2 copies of C677T) MTHFR mutations. Part II pertains to mainly homozygous individuals but may also be tried by heterozygous individuals if desired.

PART 1

The biggest differences in recommendations between these two types of mutations are:

  1. folic acid needs to be avoided more seriously by homozygous individuals
  2. the amount of methylfolate required for homozygous mutations is greater
  3. the blood thinning requirement is greater for homozygous individuals

Here are the common daily life recommendations for supporting those with C677T MTHFR mutations:

  1. Limit ingestion of folic acid in fortified foods as you cannot process folic acid well.
  2. Limit or cease taking supplements or drugs with folic acid in them. Talk with your doctor before stopping.
  3. Avoid folic acid blocking drugs such as birth control or Methotrexate.
  4. Avoid drugs which increase homocysteine such as Nitrous Oxide (most used in dentistry)
  5. Avoid antacids as they block absorption of vitamin B12 and other nutrients
  6. Begin understanding which of your symptoms may be related to the C677T MTHFR mutation.
  7. Inform your family members so they can also test for the MTHFR mutation
  8. If you are pregnant, find an OB/GYN or midwife who is knowledgeable about MTHFR.
  9. Eliminate Gluten from your diet – especially wheat.
  10. Eliminate or reduce Dairy from your diet. If you must have dairy, use Goat milk. Almond and soymilk are good alternatives
  11. Sweat somehow (epsom salt baths, sports, yoga..) at least once to three times a week.
  12. Limit intake of processed foods
  13. Increase intake of whole foods and home-prepared meals
  14. Eat the Rainbow of colors from fruits and vegetables – daily
  15. Stay well hydrated

 

Methylfolate Side Effects
These are common despite what physicians may inform you.

Common undesirable side effects of methylfolate.

  • headache
  • migraine
  • rashes
  • irritability
  • anxiety
  • joint pain
  • muscle pain
  • insomnia
  • depression

If side effects occur, then the amount of methylfolate you are taking needs to be taken under consideration and likely reduced. Talk with your physician before altering any protocol or supplement/pharmaceutical.

Many times one is not yet ready to take methylfolate.

There are other steps that must be taken prior to supplementing with methylfolate if these side effects occur.

If side effects occur, taking Niacin helps bind the excessive methyl groups which are likely causing the issue. Consider taking 100 mg or 1/5th tablet of Niacin if these symptoms occur. It is a good idea to have a bottle of Niacin on hand in case these symptoms occur from taking too much methylfolate. Be sure to swallow the 1/5th tablet of niacin – not chew or place sublingually.

Flushing is common from taking niacin in the most active form, nicotinic acid. This is not harmful and will subside in about 20 to 30 minutes.

Do NOT take a full tablet of Niacin. Begin by taking only 1/4 a tablet.