Chronic Illness & The MTHFR Gene

Chronic Illness & The MTHFR Gene

So, there is a gene mutation that makes you more suspectable to chronic illnesses.  This methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutation is found in 40-50% of the population (that’s a pretty huge figure).  There are many variations of this gene mutation, C677T being the most common (which I have).  If you inherit this from one parent, you are likely (if not making healthy lifestyle choices) to have a 30% reduction in enzyme efficiency (leading to many potential health concerns) and if you inherit this gene from both parents then this reduction could be as much as 70%.

MTHFR gene mutations can make you more suspectable to cardiovascular issues, histamine/allergy issues, depression, anxiety, not adaptable to stress, chronic fatigue syndrome, fatigue in general, sleep issues, fibromyalgia, chemical sensitivities, learning disabilities, addictions, skin conditions, IBS, food intolerances, joint pain, auto-immunity, nerve problems, headaches, migraines, blood pressure issues, fertility concerns, asthma, epilepsy, blood sugar crashes (because carbs are not well tolerated by people with MTHFR), detoxification issues and more.

MTHFR gene provides instructions for the processing of folate and B vitamins, which is essential for various functions in the body, including cell repair, producing neurotransmitters and regulating homocysteine levels.

It may not be easy or cheap to get tested for MTHFR where you are, but if you get your folate, B12 & homocysteine levels tested, and they are all way out and you also have suffered from a number of the things listed above it highly likely you have this gene currently expressing itself.

The good thing about finding this out though is that you can now do something about it.  Rather than just wondering why you are always ill or thinking you are doing something wrong you can make some simple life-style changes, and the gene will stop expressing itself!

When I was plant-based for instance, I could never get my homocysteine levels to where they should be (around 7), they were always sky-high and I could not understand why because I was the healthiest veggie/vegan I knew.  When I found out I had the MTHFR gene expressing itself it all made sense.  Why?  Because to stop this gene expressing itself so passionately you need to do the following…

• Eat a diet rich in animal proteins and animal fats
• Eat less than 20g of carbs per day (this includes carbs from fruit/honey/veg etc)
• Cut out all grains
• Cut out all seed oils
• Support detoxification with binders
• Nervous system regulation

But it’s important to go-slow with all of this too, because your body needs time to adapt back to it’s natural way of fuelling and detoxing itself again and we don’t want to overload it or your nervous system in the process.

It’s possible you may need supplemental support (please speak to a practitioner about this and don’t go-it-alone as you can make yourself worse) initially to help bring B12, folate and methylation back into balance.  However, you can easily do this without supplements by just eating plenty of organ meats (beef liver, kidneys and heart) instead.  These organs, the liver especially will give you everything you need to support the MTHFR gene if eaten 2-3 times weekly and bring everything back into balance.  It’s also MUCH cheaper than supplements too!

It’s important to state here that despite what some believe, our gene’s do not control our health!

They only run the show when we make unhealthy lifestyle choices, then they whisper, shout, and eventually scream at us to make a change!

Our body knows best and is our compass and you can lead a full, thriving, and beautiful life without the MTHFR gene expressing itself anymore if you follow your bodies signals and fuel it in the way it needs.

Do you think it’s possible you have this gene expressing itself right now? Do reach out!  Mine is not expressing itself at all anymore from the lifestyle choices I now make!