Masters of Health Magazine April 2020 | Page 102

MTHFR Is Not a Bad Word

Chances are you’ve heard some buzz about methylation and the MTHFR SNP. Methylation is a key biochemical process that is essential for the proper function of almost all of your body’s systems.

It occurs billions of times every second; it helps repair your DNA on a daily basis; it controls homocysteine (an unhealthy compound that can damage blood vessels); it helps recycle molecules needed for detoxification; and it helps maintain mood and keep inflammation in check (2). An enzyme, called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), carries out these methylation processes—it’s pretty busy!—and the MTHFR SNP is a variation in the gene that codes that enzyme. This enzyme relies on folate, B2, B6, B12, and betaine to do its job properly.

As more and more people realize they have some variation of the MTHFR SNP, it’s important to realize that the right kind of B vitamins are a major must-have. Folic acid is not the same as folate; folic acid is the synthetic form of the vitamin and harder to absorb and utilize, especially if you have the MTHFR SNP. That’s why you want the active forms of all of the important B vitamins, like folate (as 5-MTHF), B6 (as pyridoxal-5-phosphate), and B12 (as methylcobalamin).

Wash Your Genes

Caring for your genes can mean a lot for your health. It means you can stop feeling like a victim and start taking control of the inputs you give your body to achieve your optimal genetic potential!

So what does taking genetic action look like? Here are a few of my favorite ways to change your genetic destiny:

Dial-in your diet. Are you eating a diet high in processed carbs and refined sugars? Cutting the junk is the number one tip for cleaner genes. Poor food choices not only impact your own genes, they also could affect future generations (3). You should always focus on real, wholesome foods (think produce, high-quality animal proteins, healthy fats like olives and avocado, nuts and seeds). The nutrients you get from these support the good genes to work well and help to silence the bad ones. Most people do much better with a higher-fat, lower-carbohydrate diet but we’re all biochemically different, so pay attention to your own needs.

Fit body, fit genes. You can’t exercise your way out of a bad diet, but exercise is a crucial part of achieving optimal health. The lower your fitness activities, the higher your risk of death. Exercise can come in many forms, and it’s got lots of genetic benefits like impacting energy metabolism, insulin response, and inflammation within muscles (4). So working out your body means working out your genes.

Step-up your sleep routine and de-stress. Sleep deprivation leads to damaged genes, which probably explains why a lack of sleep makes you fat and leads to depression, pain, heart disease, and diabetes (5). Stress is just as important. When we’re stressed the body releases hormones called glucocorticoids which can cause changes to DNA and specifically affect the brain (6). Lack of sleep contributes to stress in the body, so they both deserve equal attention. Find things that help you relax, whether it’s a walk in nature or some deep breathing exercises, and practice them daily. Give yourself a good 8 hours to get restful sleep in a peaceful environment, your genes will thank you!

Genetics can seem like an overwhelming topic, but it’s actually empowering.

We have control and we can change our health, from the very deepest part, inside out.