I’ve been very open about my struggle with suboptimal methylation. For those who don’t already know, I have Jane MTHFR A variant that affects my body’s ability to convert folic acid and folic acid into active folic acid (5-MTHF) so that it can be used throughout the body to perform its many essential functions. (You can read more about my methylation story here.)
Methylation is a complex biological process necessary for heart health, cognitive function, longevity, detoxification, and much more. I am part of a large segment of the US population (more than 50%!) that contains an MTHFR genetic variation that affects the efficiency of their methyl cycle.
Because our bodies can’t convert folic acid as easily as other people, the folic acid and methionine pathways (and later, the methylation cycle) are disrupted, which can lead to increased homocysteine levels — and thus, health effects down the road.
Before I knew I had the MTHFR genetic variant, my homocysteine levels were so high that it shocked functional medicine doctors. I started taking a major group of bioactive B vitamins and betaine daily (the same group of prebiotics found in mbg’s Methylation support +), and got you 90% of the way to healthy homocysteine levels. *Then, she settled down.
I was confused. But then I learned that methyl affects detoxification and vice versa.
Discussion about this post