MTHFR – Beyond C677T and A1298C
The MTHFR C677T and A1298C variants get a lot of press but they do not give the whole picture for the MTHFR gene. There are additional variants impacting the functionality of the enzyme.
Methylation Cycle
The methylation cycle is a foundational biological pathway that affects many aspects of your wellbeing. In a nutshell, methylation is the donation of a methyl group that is needed for a variety of reactions such as DNA synthesis, neurotransmitter synthesis, and detoxification of some toxins. A methyl group is a carbon plus three hydrogens, and this can be easily used in biological reactions. Many of the molecules that make up your body have a backbone of carbons and hydrogens, so adding another carbon plus three hydrogens (methyl group) can modify the compound.
Problems within the methylation cycle often cause high homocysteine levels, which is a marker that doctors test for heart disease risk. Other issues that researchers have linked to methylation cycle problems include an increased risk of depression, anxiety, miscarriage, stroke, and certain cancers. Clinicians often find that methylation cycle problems cause brain fog, mood issues, and fatigue.
Start with: Check your genetic raw data for MTHFR C677T and A1298C
Histamine intolerance and the methylation cycle
Genetics plays a role in how well your body breaks down histamine. Histamine that is out of balance with the body’s ability to break it down can cause symptoms that are collectively known as histamine intolerance. Discover how to check your genes that are involved with histamine levels.