A large percent of the population carries a polymorphism in an enzyme called 5,10 methyltetrahydrofolate reductase or MTHFR. This polymorphism results in a decline in a number of events that require sufficient folic acid. The effect of this enzyme defect results in a decline of the MTHFR enzyme by approximately 60 percent, leaving the folic acid cycle very sluggish.
Folic acid comes in two common forms outside the body known as folate and folic acid. Folic acid status in the US has improved since 1998 when it was added to fortified foods, yet studies show that many people are still deficient in folic acid. Folic acid is essential for the synthesis of purines (the building blocks of DNA), the synthesis of methionine (important in methylation and over 100 reactions requiring SAMe), production of many neurotransmitters, and the metabolism of homocysteine. Folic acid is absorbed by the gut and is converted to tetrahydrofolate which is converted to methylene tetrahydrofolate and then to methyltetrahydrofolate by the enzyme MTHFR. If the MTHFR polymorphism is present than the pathways reducing homocysteine, producing methionine, glutathione, phospholipids, and neurotransmitters is reduced by up to 60 percent.
Folic acid deficiency has been linked in numerous studies with depression. It is estimated that 1/3 of all depressed patients have as the sole cause of their depression, a folate deficiency. Studies which have added folic acid to the current antidepressant prescription also showed significant improvement in depression. In addition, studies have also found folic acid deficiency to cause low serotonin(and subsequently low melatonin), which is the brains major antidepressant neurotransmitter.
Folic acid deficiency has also been linked to numerous cancer types, including breast, lung, colon, prostate, uterine, lymphoma, and likely many others as research continues.
Folic acid deficiency is associated with a significant increase risk of cardiovascular disease. Historically homocysteine levels have been measured as the sole risk factor for a lack of folic acid metabolism. Recent research indicates the presence of MTHFR defect, regardless of Homocysteine levels, is a stronger indicator of risk. In other words, it doesn’t matter whether homocysteine is elevated or not. If homocysteine is elevated and MTHFR is present, these are the most at risk patients.
The good news about the folate pathway, it is maintained simply by high doses of folic acid, which will drive the pathway, just like water spilling over a dam, or by taking the form of folic acid that bypasses the need for MTHFR, called 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). We recommend a little of both. Other co-factors that also help drive the folate cycle are essential and include vitamins B2 (riboflavin), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin). Patients with depression, without a MTHFR defect, but who are folic acid deficient, will be benefited by taking additional folic acid as contained in a multi-vitamin mineral complex or folate vitamin. Those with the MTHFR are recommended to take a specifically formulated blend of folic acid and co-factors required to maximize folic acid pathways.
For so many patients who have lived years or decades without knowing they had a MTHFR defect, it is imperative to treat it correctly now. A single blood draw is all that is required to determine the presence of MTHFR. Those who have any symptom of MTHFR polymorphism, or extended family history, should be tested and treated. Click to view DNA Methylation Pathway SNP’s Sample Report. Once the evidence of SNP’s has been determined and supplemental support has been added future evaluation can include specific nutrient levels of the methylation cycle including methionine, homocysteine, S-Adenosyl homocysteine, S-Adenosyl methionine, and cystathionine. Click to view a Methylation Profile Sample Report.
