Dr. Jill Carnahan on “What’s The Big Deal About Methylation?”
Jill Carnahan, M.D., wrote an article for her blog called “MTHFR Gene Mutation: What’s The Big Deal About Methylation?”
From the article:
Methylation is a core process that occurs in all cells to help your body make biochemical conversions. When people with genetic mutations is MTHFR are exposed to toxins, they have a harder time getting rid of them which can cause some very serious illnesses. The methylation process is responsible for:
Cellular Repair: synthesis of nucleic acids, production & repair of DNA & mRNA
Detoxification and Neurotransmistter Production: interconversion of amino acids
Healthy Immune System Function: formation & maturation of red blood cells, white blood cells & platelet production
The 677T variant is most commonly associated with early heart disease and stroke and the 1298C variant with a variety chronic illnesses, but either anomaly can cause a wide variety of health problems. The MTHFR anomaly is reported out as heterozygous or homozygous. If you are heterozygous that means you have one affected gene and one normal gene. Your enzyme activity will run at about 60% efficiency compared to a normal.
If you are homozygous or have 2 abnormal copies, then enzyme efficiency drops down to 10% to 20% of normal, which can be very serious. The worst combination is 677T/1298C in which you are heterozygous to both anomalies. Many chronic illnesses are linked to this anomaly. Fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, chemical sensitivity, frequent miscarriage and frequent blood clots are all conditions associated with MTHFR anomaly.
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