A gene called "MTHFR"

Most of you have probably never heard of "MTHFR" and once you finish reading this you wont remember those letters or the order they go in! Certainly a mouthful. My first encounter with this gene was when my sister - a trained Naturopath - suggested i should be tested for MTHFR gene mutations due to my history of autoimmune disease and gut related health issues.

My thirst for knowledge on bettering health obviously made this decision easy. What i didn't realise was this genes relevance to my deep desire to become a mother. My test results showed not just a single gene mutation, but double or "homozygous gene mutations". Both genes- the one i received from my mother, and the one from my father, had mutations. This put me at a higher risk of developing certain cancers, autoimmune diseases (well i already had one of those), cardiovascular problems, having decreased fertility etc

So what did that all mean? To most i suppose that kind of information would create fear and stress. Whilst it did make me more fearful, i predominately felt determined. I had a reason for why i had developed this illness and that gave me power. I took steps to cleaning up my lifestyle as much as i could, and implementing things that i knew would help prevent further illness. I regularly made fresh vegetable and fruit juices and smoothies, i began doing coffee enemas (more on those later!), i took supplements to aid my body in detoxing and an activated B vitamin supplement which was easier for my system to utilise. I made sure i got better quality sleep (no more 11-12pm bedtimes) and i cut out as much of the processed and high sugar foods as i could handle.

In most people, MTHFR gene mutations result in the body poorly performing "methylation" and not producing enzymes as effectively as someone who is without the mutation. This can result in poor nutrient uptake (even if your diet is really good!) and a build up of chemicals or toxic overload as your liver especially is unable to process drugs, synthetic vitamins and hormones, alcohol etc as quickly or as effectively as the next person.

The steps that i took to clean up my whole lifestyle made dramatic changes on my skin, weight, energy levels, allergies (especially seasonal), mental clarity and focus, physical performance, and most importantly on my fertility. I noticed big changes with my menstrual cycle, and after always having an irregular cycle and no signs of ovulation this was exciting. Still i had a belief that i was going to find it very difficult to bear children. Previous tests i had throughout my early 20s had found uterine defects, hormonal imbalances and adding to that a family history of fertility issues i didn't think it would be an easy road for me... well that belief was blown out of the water when we learnt of my sons pending arrival!

All i want you to take from this blog is - YOU DO HAVE POWER OVER YOUR GENETICS! Its a little thing called EPIGENETICS - the study of changes to our genes due to external or environmental factors. If you would like to learn more about the MTHFR gene, getting tested and symptoms of gene mutation this is a good article to start with: https://draxe.com/mthfr-mutation/

If you think you may potentially have a MTHFR gene mutation and would like assistance in further investigating this then contact your Naturopath or GP.

Alternatively you can contact my Naturopath- my Sister Stacey- a Female Hormone Specialist via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/M4LHL/ or the Female Specific Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/balancedbabes4life/

Website: www.moment4life.com.au

Email: stacey@moment4life.com.au

-Laura Jane