MTHF-R Gene Mutation: 50% of Americans & 95% of Autistic people

Approximately 50% of Americans & 95% of Autistic (or Spectrum disorder) people have an MTHF-R genetic mutation. A person with this genetic mutation cannot produce the enzyme called Methyl Tetra Hydrate Folate Reductase (or MTHF-R for short). This enzyme is ESSENTIAL for methylation processes to occur in the body, which are critical for detoxification & wellness. These people are not methylating properly. Your body HAS to be able to break down folate (B9) to ultimately produce glutathione in the liver. Without glutathione, these people cannot properly eliminate toxins from their bodies, particularly through the digestive system (AKA: they are chronically toxic, sick & have liver & gut problems). In case you don't already know, MOST chronic health problems tie into the gut. Did you know that ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, Atherosclerosis, Autism, Auto-immune disease, Bipolar & Schizophrenia & other mental illness, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, IBS, Osteoporosis, PCOS, Hormone Imbalances, and so many other "diagnoses" are primarily inflammatory bowel disorders! Emotions and Spiritual warfare also play a major role that most Doctors are ignoring. I always look at people Holistically. You cannot just focus on symptoms or the location of the pain or symptom. Now add those emotional and spiritual layers to a severely imbalanced gut (and add a genetic mutation that affects nearly EVERY process in the body), and you are now prey for the enemy to turn up the fear, doubt, frustration & hopelessness. Your mind can't work right at this point. BUT... YOU CAN HEAL FROM THIS!! Do not try to do this on your own. You need ask God what the FIRST step is. Ask HIM for a referral to a trusted Holistic Doctor. Adding psychotropic drugs (like anti-depressants or anti-anxiety meds), pain meds or other Pharmaceutical drugs to this mess is a recipe for disaster. It does not HEAL the patient. It essentially tranquilizes & numbs them, adding more insult to injury behind the scenes. Eventually the list of meds gets longer and longer while the patient gets sicker and sicker. Medication does NOT get the the root of the problem, it masks it. You have to actively participate in your health journey to get well. You will have to change your diet and lay down some things you used to enjoy. But if we are being really honest with ourselves... cravings and "bad habits" are just a more palatable way of saying "lusts of the flesh". Jesus is bigger than every craving, habit, addiction, obstacle, imbalance & doubt we have. When you truly want to be well, you will do whatever it takes. When the pain of regret or illness surpasses the pain of change, you will change. And you can! Jesus is your secret weapon. I witness miracles every week! In my office, we help you change without shaming you or ever getting mad at you. We always point you back to the Lord and motivate you through LOVE & GRACE. Fear is not of God, so avoid those who use fear for motivation. 

Moving on. 95% of our neurotransmitters are produced in the gut (not the brain!). Our gut & brain develop from the SAME fetal tissue. It's all related. Don't roll your eyes. It's true! Remember, 95% of Autistic children have this (heterozygous or homozygous) genetic mutation. The prevelance of this genetic mutation seems to be one major reason why some people are really susceptible to adverse reactions to drugs, vaccines, GMO foods, processed grains & any other chemical or toxin, while other people do not react so significantly. Toxins literally build up in the body causing severe chronic illness, chronic pain syndromes, a compromised immune system, the inability to heal, microbiome imbalances & psychological issues ranging from mild to severe. Folic Acid, found in grains & most processed foods, builds up in these people's bodies instead of being assimilated, absorbed & utilized for healthy bodily functions. Furthermore, the toxic overload of this Folic Acid often masks dangerously LOW levels of the other B vitamins. I thought a bulleted list would be the easiest way to summarize...

MTHF-R MUTATIONS CAN AFFECT THE FOLLOWING: 

• MTHF-R Gene mutation >>  no MTHF-R enzyme >> malfunctioning methylation cycles in the body

• No/poor methylation >> no/low glutathione >> cannot detox, heal or fight inflammation, illness & other diseases properly
• Improper detoxification >> liver/kidney problems, inflammatory bowel & auto-immune disease (to name a few)
• Each person is affected differently depending on exact mutation, other genetic factors, diet, lifestyle & stress

• Impacts how our bodies utilize folic acid or folate
• ~50% Americans have an MTHF-R mutation
• 95% Autistic/Spectrum Disorder have MTHF-R mutation (heterozygous = less severe; homozygous = more severe)

• Alters hormones & other neurotransmitters (mental health, fertility, energy, focus, etc)
• Affects moods, mental health, sleep & memory

• Affects cholesterol levels & fat metabolism
• Affects overall metabolism, thyroid function & weight loss
• Affects proper production of digestive enzymes & Hydrochloric (stomach) acid
• Affects the metabolism & conversion of ALL nutrients into ACTIVE vitamins, minerals & proteins
• Affects ability to repair DNA & other cellular damage
• Potential for poor muscle growth, tone & stamina
• Chronic toxicity >> multiple "diagnoses" >> no one can figure out what's wrong
• Serious cases (those with 2 mutations or any person with chronic/serious illness) cannot properly rid their body of toxins such as Candida overgrowth, parasites, heavy metals, chemicals, viruses & bacteria without proper nutritional support, a grain-free or gluten-free, low-sugar, often dairy-free, whole food diet & other custom recommendations (restrictions or allowances) per each patient. *This needs to be managed professionally.

A genetic mutation does not mean you cannot be helped. In fact, this means that once you change your diet and provide the CORRECT nutrients, that you will see significant results in the body's ability to heal from all kinds of chronic and "un-curable" conditions!! There is hope! If you are sick or have any serious "diagnoses," there is much more work to be done in the gut and otherwise, so I highly recommend scheduling an appointment so that I can test you or consult with you to customize a plan specifically for you. If you are/were a patient and you were one of the hard cases that we just could NOT figure out why your blood pressure wouldn't heal, or your gut wouldn't completely heal, or we couldn't get cholesterol numbers into range, or you still feel "stuck"... I BET this is one piece of the puzzle, a key that could unlock a lot of healing pathways in your body. I'd love the opportunity to work with you again! Remember, 50% of the population has this, which means those numbers are only going to increase over the next few generations.

If you cannot get to the bottom of your health issues, assume you have this until you learn otherwise and take proper action (see below). Also, I would NOT VACCINATE your kids IF YOU or YOUR SPOUSE has this or any auto-immune condition. Get your child tested for this genetic mutation before making a decision that changes your child's life forever. If you have this or suspect you have this, then your kids are at even higher risk. Read my blog "Educate Before You Vaccinate" for more information. 
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Watch:  The Animated Genome to understand what a genome is and why it matters to each of us. This is an excellent 5-minute video in genetics and genomics.

WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW?

1. Remove ALL grains, alcohol, sugar & processed foods from your diet immediately
2. Avoid environmental toxins >> Read my blog on switching to natural cleaning products 
3. Switch to natural skin & hair products >> Here's what I use 
4. Exercise & sweat to detox (infrared saunas can help, too)
5. More sleep; better sleep
6. Increase greens & cruciferous veggies >> take LIQUID CHLOROPHYLL ES
7. Start taking methylated folate (Vitamin B9) >> METHYL COMBO (see below)
   NOTE: A small percentqge of people with MTHF-R are OVER-methylators. I am one of them. And we cannot tolerate ANY methylated products. Therefore, folic acid AND methylfolate, methylcobalamine, etc will make our symptoms worse.
8. Decrease stress
9. Start taking Probiotics >> BIFIDOPHOLUS FLORA FORCE  (2-3/day; keep refrigerated)
10. Cleanse regularly 1-4x/year >> CLEANSTART (use CleanStart MILD if you are prone to diarrhea) or TIAO HE CLEANSE (if you do not have daily bowel movements).
11. Detox baths: 1/2 tsp ORGANIC ORANGE (or other) ESSENTIAL OIL + 2 cups Epsom (mix oil & salt BEFORE adding to hot water). Soak 20+ minutes. Other oils will help, too (Frankincense, Peppermint, Lavendar, Lemon, Core Balancing Blend, Recover Blend, Inspire Blend...)
12. Make an appointment asap. This is serious, but there is hope & help! 

*The names in BOLD font above are great, general product recommendations to get you started. ALL of them can be purchased through my ONLINE STORE at wholesale cost. Please note: if you want custom care or have questions you will need to make an appointment. I must have Intake & Consent Forms & a full hour to consult with/test you to answer specific questions for you. 

**You are welcome to join me each month (locally or online) for ASK THE DOCTOR. This is time I donate each month to serve, educate & answer questions :)

METHYL COMBO is methyl-folate AND methyl-cobalamin... a great product for ALMOST everyone, with or without this genetic mutation. You DO NOT need much of  this product. Too much can make you really sick. Use 1/day with breakfast.

NOTE: Nature's Sunshine Products, the supplement line I use, is in the process of removing Folic Acid from ALL their products and replacing it with methylfolate, (methylated B9), a very bio-available form of Folate (Vitamin B9), the form that most everyone can assimilate, with or without this genetic mutation.


​SEVERAL WAYS TO GET TESTED FOR MTHF-R MUTATIONS:

1. DirectLabs.com  >> Walk-in: No Doctor referral Needed; Order MTHFR blood test (~$149)
2. Any Lab Test Now >> Walk-in; No Doctor referral needed; Order MTHFR (~$250)
3. Living Genes Saliva Test >> ideal for those who fear needles/can't do bloodwork) ($150)
4. 23andME.com >> No referral needed; Then use Genetic Genie (for small donation) to get your results interpreted. This one analyzes much more of your genome. More thorough genetic testing available! Very fun & interesting to do Health + Ancestry Test for $199. 
5. Ask your Chiropractor, Functional Medicine Doctor or Medical Doctor to order the MTHF-R Test for you. It's usually cheaper this way if your insurance will cover it and your Medical Doctor will request it for you.
   
   Warning: Not all MD's will know about this mutation or believe it is matters. I have had patients who have been mocked, shamed or denied the test by their other Doctors (just FYI). I'm also hearing from patients that Medical Doctors are telling them that if they have only 1 mutation (heterozygous) that it has no affect on your health. THIS IS NOT TRUE.