MTHFR – Methylation & The Weight Loss Link.
I see so many clients struggling with the
weight loss challenge. Often, these clients
no matter how hard they seem to try, diets
and exercise, weight loss is slow compared
to others and incredibly quick to regain,
often with many other health conditions in
the background. Commonly many end up
MTHFR positive, and when addressed,
these clients start to see significant
changes in their overall health and weight
for the first time.
What is MTHFR?
(MTHFR) Methylenetetrahydrofolate
reductase is a gene that provides
instructions for making the enzyme
methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
which converts 5,10
methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate.
This is required to convert homocysteine
to methionine which the body uses to
make proteins and other compounds in
the body. More simply, it converts folate in
your leafy greens to a more active form of
folate (methyl folate), to be used by the
body. This enzyme is a component of the
one-carbon metabolism pathway; or more
commonly known as the methylation
process and studies now show MTHFR
polymorphism play a significant role in the
bodies metabolic factors.
WHAT conditions are associated with methylation?
Methylation is a dynamic process that
requires balance. Many health issues are
associated with fluctuations in the
methylation process including: ADHD,
Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety,
Atherosclerosis, Bipolar disorders,
Cancers, Chemical sensitivities, Chronic
fatigue, Diabetes, Depression, Down
syndrome, Hypertension, Fertility issues,
Inflammatory Conditions Insomnia,
Neural tube defects, Parkinson’s
disease, Schizophrenia, Weight loss,
Metabolic syndrome and many more.
If I get a positive result what does it mean?
A positive result means something
different for each individual. Not all people with
the gene ill known in ‘gene talk’ as turned
on or expressing and present with health
issues. Genes expressing or turning on for
each individual have many factors, such
stress, environmental toxin load, diet,
lifestyle etc.
What is methylation and why is it so important?
Methylation is involved in a number of
important biochemical processes in the body
including gene expression, DNA and RNA
synthesis, immune cell differentiation,
neurotransmitter synthesis, histamine
clearance, detoxification, hormones,
mitochondrial metabolism, phospholipid
synthesis and myelination, and neural
tube development. It occurs in almost all
cells in the body. Methylation involves the
transfer of active methyl groups and when
utilised, SAMe (Sadenosylmethionine) is converted to SAH (S-adenosylhomocysteine), and then
homocysteine. The recycling of
homocysteine to methionine can occur via
two pathways – via methionine synthase
conversion that requires the transfer of a
methylgroup from 5-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (5-
MTHFR) by MTHFR or via betaine
homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT).
During higher states of oxidative stress,
homocysteine may be converted to
and then to taurine, glutathione or sulfate
via the transulfuration pathway
Methylation.
Do you struggle with weight loss or health
conditions and feel there is something
else that may be going on? Book in for
testing and treatment today.
Jan x