Family testing update - MTHFR

After learning about MTHFR, I wrote a book proposal and my agent started to shop it around to health-book publishers. None had heard of MTHFR. Probably because it's a new factor in understanding health issues. 

Speaking of most folks not knowing about it, even though it can affect as many as 10-20% of folks, my son tested homozygous for the C677TT mutation. So I’m sending him the methylfolate vitamins, hoping it’s the right amount. None of the docs in Muncie knew much about it. Since he's homozygous, that means that his dad also has the mutation and he's mpw getting tested to discover the specifics.

Which leads me to my best friend. He has the characteristic elevated homocystine levels associated with methylation deficiencies and only one gene of the C677T so he’s heterozygous. This means it came from only one parent. Often folks with heterozygous mutations don’t show any symptoms, but my best friend does. MTHFR is only one aspect of a person’s genetic expression. Environmental factors, known as epigenetic factors are important, too. 

Epigenetic factors include lifestyle – what you eat, where you live, if you exercise, if you get enough sleep, if you use alcohol and/or either prescription or recreational drugs, and more. The epigenetic factors are usually within our control. 

As for me, a couple notable results. I have tons more energy. I seldom need naps and am now putting my energy into some house stuff, joining the Copper Club at the Natural History Museum (took a field trip down to Kanab, Utah last weekend and DID NOT return home from 3 intense days feeling like a wrung-out washcloth. A super win.) My fingernails are growing really fast, which means my metabolism is revving up.  My vision is amazingly clear. My allergies are revving down and this is high-allergy season in our valley. My moods are almost sprightly. So all good. And the heavy moods haven’t visited since I started on the Methylfolate – 7 weeks ago.

To read lots about this, the go-to website is www.MTHFR.net.