Genetic Mutations that Affect Detoxification
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>> Hi there, and welcome back.
In this lecture, we'll be revisiting
one of the major genetic mutations
which can affect the body's ability to rid itself of toxins.
This common gene mutation is called the MTHFR.
It stands for methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase
which is a mouthful
but thankfully you don't have to remember that.
What you do have to remember about this mutation is that
it affects a lot of processes in the body
and can have a profound effect
on the body's ability to detox properly.
In this lecture, we're going to be taking a closer look
at this gene mutation.
What it is?
What it means to your clients,
and what they can do to improve their health and functioning
if they have it.
First things first, there is a MTHFR gene and a MTHFR enzyme
which can be confusing
but we'll let you know throughout the lecture
which one we're referring to.
The MTHFR enzyme's main job
is to add a methyl group to folate
to make it usable by the body.
It also converts homocysteine into the amino acid methionine
which the body needs for proper metabolism,
muscle growth, and glutathione creation.
The only difference between homocysteine and methionine
is that methionine has a methyl group
and homocysteine does not.
Homocysteine is an amino acid
that's a product of protein break down in the body.
If levels are high, it's a sign of inflammation in the body.
It's been shown that people with elevated levels
of homocysteine are at risk for heart attacks,
stroke, and Alzheimer's disease.
It's also associated with birth defects
and difficult pregnancies.
MTHFR defects are quite common
and vary in how severe they are.
In fact, up to 50% of the population
has some form of the defect.
In terms of severity,
you can think of it like a clog in the sink.
For some people, it's just a slow drain
that empties eventually,
and for others, it's almost completely blocked.
The reason we're focusing on MTHFR
is because all the other detoxification systems
are dependent on that enzyme doing its job.
It creates the building blocks
for most of the other energy producing processes
in the body.
Now let's take this science and apply it.
Let's look at some ways
that a MTHFR defect might show up for your clients.
Poor methylation can cause a variety
of mental health symptoms, such as anxiety,
depression, racing thoughts,
obsessive compulsive disorder, perfectionism,
memory loss, violent behavior,
panic disorder, and spaciness.
Physical symptoms include PMS, amenorrhea,
weight gain, elevated blood sugar,
high blood pressure, fatigue, asthma, skin irritation,
food sensitivities, allergies, and hypothyroidism.
In addition, women with the mutation
can have multiple miscarriages
which is why is very important
they be tested for the mutation.
One requirement for a healthy methylation
is having enough methyl groups to do the job.
And here is the truth about methylation,
even people who are healthy and eat a very nutritious diet,
often don't have enough methyl groups to go around.
So where does methyl come from?
Methyl groups can be obtained from certain foods,
especially dark green cooked vegetables,
quinoa, lamb, chicken, and beets.
They're best absorbed from cooked foods not raw.
Now surprisingly, processed foods
are a very poor source of methyl groups.
Also, it's important to note
that strictly vegetarian diets
don't provide adequate methyl groups.
People with genetic mutations in their methylation genes
who eat a strict plant-based diet
may want to rethink their diet.
But remember, you should never tell a client
they need to change their diet.
Simply provide information
and let them make their own decisions.
Mutations in the MTHFR gene produce an enzyme
that functions less than perfectly.
The MTHFR gene is responsible for making the MTHFR enzyme.
The two processes it handles activating folate
and turning homocysteine into methionine
are extremely important
to many other enzymatic processes in the body.
Folate has an active form called
5-methyltetrahydrofolate or 5-MTHF,
which is formed by the MTHFR enzyme
from the folate in food.
This 5-MTHF is essential to all of the processes
we discussed a little earlier.
We've talked about it before but as a quick reminder,
folate is a form of B9 naturally found in food
which can easily be used by the body.
Folic acid on the other hand
is a chemical added to foods in supplements
that's much less available to biological process.
People with MTHFR mutations shouldn't take folic acid
because it can actually interfere
with their ability to create 5-MTHF.
For these individuals, there are supplements
that are already methylated
which you can recommend instead.
Since MTHFR is a genetic problem,
it might seem like there is not much your clients
can do about it if they have it.
But there are actually a variety of things
you can teach your clients with the MTHFR mutation
that will help them to detoxify more efficiently.
Remember, you can't change your genes
but you can alter your environment
which influences your genes.
To help you support these clients,
I'm going to share with you my top six recommendations
you can make to clients with the MTHFR mutation.
One, get a good daily dose of B vitamins through food.
B vitamins are needed for proper MTHFR function.
Vitamin B9 also known as folate
and vitamin B12 are essential to the methylation process.
The other B vitamins, particularly B6,
are involved in the process as well
although at lower levels.
As you can see, it's necessary to take
an adequate amount of B vitamins
to keep methylation on track.
For some clients, methylated B vitamins
may be a better option due to the possibility
of additional mutations.
It's recommended that your clients see a genetic specialist
or a functional practitioner who has knowledge about
correct supplementation for specific gene mutations.
Two, supplement with folate and not folic acid.
In particular, methylated forms of folate
are recommended over folic acid.
Individuals with the MTHFR mutation
have a difficult time metabolizing folic acid
and should avoid these artificial forms of folate.
Generally speaking, one can start with a low dose of folate
around 200 micrograms per day
and slowly increase by 100 micrograms each week
until they reach 1 milligram per day.
But as I stated a moment ago,
it's important to seek guidance from a medical professional
when it comes to proper supplementation for clients
with genetic mutations.
Three, eat an abundance of dark, leafy, cooked greens.
When lightly steamed, they are rich in methyl groups.
Now that you needed another good reason
to eat dark leafy greens but there it is.
They are also loaded with the vitamins and minerals needed
to maximize methylation.
Great sources include Swiss chard, kale, bok choy,
escarole, watercress, spinach, dandelion,
mustard, collard, and beet greens.
Four, consume plenty of quality protein.
Protein supplies the building blocks for methyl groups
and helps maintain an acid rich environment in the stomach.
And an acid rich environment in the stomach
is necessary to be able to break down proteins properly,
thus providing the body with methyl.
Taking medications that decrease stomach acid,
such as Prevacid or Zantac
can worsen methylation significantly.
Five, eat choline-rich foods such as liver, eggs, dairy,
and cruciferous vegetables.
Choline is an important methyl donor
assisting the process of methylation through the body.
It's most commonly found in grass fed liver,
free range eggs, full fat grass fed dairy,
and organic cruciferous vegetables,
such as broccoli, cabbage, and bok choy.
Choline is also important to maintain
efficient liver function.
Diets low in choline can result in fatty liver.
Six, avoid processed foods, alcohol, smoking, and sugar
which all interfere with the body's ability
to make adequate methyl groups.
These kinds of changes will have a great impact
on your client's overall health
as well as their methylation process.
But remember to proceed with patience and compassion.
It's your job as a Health Coach to educate your clients
and support them in the changes they want to make,
but you can't expect or force them
to make any changes to their diet or lifestyle.
Some clients may be resistant or unwilling to quit smoking,
give up their sweets, or their nightly wine.
Be cautious not to be pushy or judgmental.
The key here is to be supportive, empowering,
and let your clients lead.
So when they struggle with a recommendation,
ask why, listen deeply, and validate their concerns.
You may have clients who know they have the MTHFR mutation,
but many people with this condition
don't know they have it.
Typically, this isn't something on most people's radar
is to get checked out for
but information about the MTHFR mutation
is starting to spread into the mainstream.
Some of your clients may be interested to know
if they have it, so the question remains,
how can they find out.
The best overall genetic test available
to the general public right now is the 23andMe test.
This test has been evaluated by the FDA
and is the only direct to public DNA test
that is approved by them.
The 23andMe test doesn't actually give much information
about the MTHFR defect,
but the markers are available in the raw data.
So your client will have to take the data from 23andMe
and enter it on a site like GeneticGenie.org
to get more specific information
about their gene mutations.
All of this information needs
to be properly interpreted and managed.
So we recommend that they work with a genetic specialist
to determine any impact this may have on their health.
As a rule of thumb, you can recommend a test to a client.
There is no issue with scope of practice here,
but we do caution strongly
about interpreting a client's results.
This creates a scenario of liability
and treads into the realm of diagnosis.
So educate your clients about these tests
but then leave it up to them
to purchase, administer,
and pursue their own interpretation of these results.
Now you have an overview
of what the MTHFR genetic mutation is,
the six steps your clients with this mutation
can take to improve how their bodies feel and function,
and information on how your clients
can test for this condition.
Remember, as a Health Coach,
you're here to support your clients not treat them.
If you are concerned that a client might have
an MTHFR mutation
or that this is causing significant medical problems,
please refer them to a genetic specialist
for further workup and treatment.
Have you ever worked with a client
with the MTHFR gene mutation?
Are you one of the many people with this genetic condition?
If you feel comfortable, stop into the Facebook group
and share how you've supported yourself
and/or your clients with food and lifestyle changes.
Next, be sure to review the handout
and take the quiz for this module
to test your knowledge on the topics we've covered.
Thanks so much for watching, bye for now.