HOMOCYSTEINE

Methylfolate and MTHFR

More than likely you are being asked to take methylfolate or Methyl-B12 (Methylfolate supplement with Vitamin B12) because you have been told you have the MTHFR mutation or a high homocysteine level.  No one wants to here they have a “mutation” or an abnormal lab, but let me reassure you that a lot of people have this issue.  This is a relatively new finding in modern medicine and we are still actively doing studies on what this exactly means and the long-term effects of having these issues.  Because it is a complicated issue, I wanted to explain more here. Homocysteine is a by-product of a metabolic pathway and high levels are associated with inflammation and risk factors for disease, especially cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke) and depression and dementia (one study showed a 3X increase in dementia risk for a level of 16 or greater).  Elevated homocysteine is often seen with deficiencies in folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and in people who drink a lot of caffeine and alcohol, smoke, or who do not eat a lot of vegetables or exercise.  Fixing these lifestyle issues will help.   The MTHFR enzymes convert folic acid (which is an important vitamin found in food etc.) in to the active ingredient Methylfolate.  We know that Methylfolate is beneficial for us in many ways including decreasing an inflammatory marker called homocysteine that is associated with increased cardiovascular diseases (heart attacks and strokes).  It also is beneficial for nerve cells found in the body and the brain and may have a lot of other beneficial effects as well.  Neurologists are starting to give prescription medications of Methylfolate for dementia (memory issues and Alzheimers) and Psychiatrists are starting to give it for depression, as we know Methylfolate can treat both of these conditions.  What we do not know at this time is what percentage of people with the MTHFR mutations will be at how much more of a risk for cardiovascular disease and possibly depression and dementia.  What is even more complicated is the fact that there are many different MTHFR mutations possible. Based on research from the Cleveland Heart clinic we are recommending over the counter Folic acid supplementation at 1 mg a day for people with minor MTHFR mutations.  But for people with 2 minor mutations, or major mutations, folic acid will likely not be enough and a pure Methylfolate product will likely do a better job preventing issued from the mutations.  These are recommendations for life as your genetics will never change.   When I found out that I had the MTHFR mutation myself, I looked in to how to get Methylfolate and really did not want to pay a potential huge amount for the prescription drug Methylfolate options, but realized that this is not an over-the-counter product you can get a pharmacy or grocery store.  I found a supplement company that sells Methylfolate combined with Vitamin B12 as often you need this B vitamin to help with the Methylfolate.  It is relatively inexpensive monthly and I recommend you take it daily to help diminish potential harmful neurologic and cardiovascular effects of the MTHFR mutation.  Once we know more in modern medicine about this issue and its’ long term effects, we may change these recommendations, but for now I recommend taking one Methyl-B12 daily from this point on. Hope this was helpful and a bit of warning: there are a lot of varying opinions on this topic on the internet, including a lot of people selling different expensive options.  Be wary to believe all you read on-line even if the websites look legitimate.