Genetics and Methylation Support
A missing piece to healing chronic symptoms.
What is Methylation?
Do you have chronic fatigue, chronic infections, or Lyme disease? What about seizures, anxiety, or psychiatric symptoms? Or maybe you have a relative with autism, cancer, or Alzheimer’s? If you answered yes, you may have a methylation defect.
When methylation works as it should, it helps your body:
Repair DNA
Control the expression of genes
Eliminate toxins
Control the stress (fight-or-flight) response
Manage inflammation
Manage the production of glutathione — the body's master antioxidant
Balance brain chemistry
Produce energy
Create a healthy immune response
In other words, methylation is absolutely essential for a properly functioning body and brain. Problems in the methylation cycle occur when there are genetic defects in the enzymes that regulate methylation.
One important genetic defect occurs on the MTHFR gene.
What’s the Big Deal With MTHFR?
MTHFR stands for methyl-tetrahydrofolate reductase. This enzyme is the primary driver of methylation in every cell in your body. MTHFR codes for the methylation of folate.
When a defect occurs on this gene, it can prevent folate from being properly used by the body. This results in a variety of symptoms including high homocysteine, which can increase inflammation and damage arteries. A striking number of diseases have been linked to MTHFR gene mutations including:
Anxiety
Addictions – drugs, alcohol, smoking
Alzheimer’s
Autism
Bipolar disorder
Blood clots
Chemical sensitivity
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Depression
Down’s syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Frequent miscarriages
Heart attack
Infertility
Irritable bowel syndrome
Migraines
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson’s disease
Schizophrenia
Stroke
While there are more than 50 known MTHFR variants, the primary ones we see are called C677T and A1298. A simple genetic test can reveal if you have any MTHFR variants and how likely they are to be contributing to your symptoms. Patients with defects on the MTHFR gene may need to supplement with L-methylfolate.
But it is so much more than MTHFR…
While MTHFR is a concern, there are so many other genes related to glutathione production, clotting, inflammation, immune reactivity, and more that can provide clues to your health issues and treatment tolerance.
The ways our genes are expressed are related to a variety of health issues, including:
Mood disorders – anxiety, irritability, depression, bipolar
Neurological disorders – autism, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, seizures, Multiple Sclerosis
Syndromes – chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, IBS, multiple chemical sensitivity, POTS
Birth defects – cleft palate, spina bifida, Down’s syndrome
Cardiovascular problems – family history of clots, strokes, heart attacks
Drug sensitivities to anesthesia, nitrous oxide, etc.
Family history of cancer
Autism or spectrum concerns, detox issues, and food and environmental sensitivities
Methylation problems may lead to hundreds of diseases. But these problems are largely correctable once identified.
What Is Epigenetics?
Did you know that your lifestyle and surroundings can actually affect your genes?
It’s true, and there’s an entire field of science dedicated to its study.
Epigenetics is the study of how your behaviors and environment can change the way your genes work.
The general consensus is that your environment accounts for 65% of how your genes work, while your genes are responsible for the remaining 35%. This means there is so much that can be done to overcome most genetic vulnerabilities.
While epigenetic changes don’t alter your DNA sequence, they do change how your body reads the DNA sequence.
The good thing about epigenetic changes is that they’re reversible. We work with you to optimize your genetics through nutrition, reduction of toxins and inflammation, and supplementation.
Genetic Consultations For Current Patients
Dr. Amy is now providing genetic case reviews to current HHA patients.
SCHEDULE CONSULT
Tell your HHA provider that you’re interested in a genetic consult with Dr. Amy. Then schedule your consult and complete the test kit.
CASE REVIEW
Dr. Amy will review your genetic reports, along with information from your provider, to create her own report of findings.
PROVIDER TO PROVIDER
Dr. Amy discusses her findings and suggested interventions with your HHA managing care provider.
PHONE CONSULT
Your managing care provider will have a phone consultation with you to go over the findings and the suggested treatment plan.
If you’re not yet a patient at HHA, please book a complimentary Discovery Call to get started.
