The Methylation Myth: Diagnosed With MTHFR? Beware!
MTHFR stands for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and facilitates the process called methylation, the metabolic process that switches genes on and off and repairs DNA. It's getting attention due to a genetic mutation that may lead to high levels of homocysteine in the blood and low levels of folate and other vitamins.
I belong to a group of 500 amazing functional medicine chiropractic doctors with a pedigree of credentials and experiences that are pretty remarkable.
However, the latest trend in medicine—especially in my group over the last 5 years or so—has been genetics.
Most of my colleagues have gone down this genetic path, but are missing the proverbial elephant staring us in the face.
Our genes are not bad, but our environment is.
This is along with the diabolic governing agencies that allow the whole sale destruction of our air, water, and earth—these are the real problems.
In fact, we could say that zillions of our environmental toxins are causing the genetic blueprint—our DNA—to not be correctly transcribed in the transcription process.
This is where the real problem lies.
Now, I am not against any system of medicine that gets results and follows the guidelines and laws of practicing medicine which is 'do the least harm'.
But, this genetic madness has me twisting my brain as my intuitive and skeptical side believes that we are putting our ‘genetic eggs’ into one basket when we focus on this SNP or that mutation.
Without looking at WHY our genetic expression has over the last 100 years taken a turn for the worst, we don't see the entire picture.
I have personally seen my own friends, my family, and my own patients blame MTHFR for every symptom imaginable, from their headaches to cancer, and everything in between.
Let me repeat, our GENES are not the problem. The problem is our environmental toxins and our lack of knowledge on how to deal with these toxins.
Yes, in some cases knowing you have this SNP may be helpful—to some degree, as you may need extra nutritional help—but MTHFR is not a diagnosis…you cannot treat it!
You have to change your environment no matter what your genes are!
In fact, Dr. Wilson, a leading expert on the subject, goes on to say in one of his articles:
"Some or perhaps most of the genetic test results have to do with transcription or biosynthesis problems, not DNA problems. Transcription or copying problems are not immutable. They are often repairable.”
RNA transcription problems are caused by toxic metals, toxic chemicals, and nutrient deficiencies—all of which can be corrected with a nutritional balancing program.
These issues are called epigenetics in genetic lingo.
Thus, the main problem with genetic testing right now is that people are misled by their doctors and laboratories into thinking that genetic tests measure only the DNA, which is presently immutable.
It is like getting a death sentence.
The truth, however, is that the tests also measure copying of the DNA to RNA and some steps in protein synthesis.
In fact, here is where most, if not all of the “genetic problems” are found—and these problems can be changed and eliminated with a nutritional balancing program that improves the epigenetics or the biochemical environment of the body.
Have you been diagnosed with MTHFR?
This is not a diagnosis! A diagnosis can only be made for an illness, and if there has only been genetic testing (which is common), then this is simply impossible.
If you have received some form of genetic testing from your doctor and you are heterozygous, homozygous, or compound heterozygous for MTHFR mutations, you have had this genetic map and reality your entire life.
A map is not an indicator of a biochemical expression, and thus cannot indicate disease!
You may be experiencing symptoms that you have never had before, or you may have had symptoms/dysfunctions for a very long time, but to be “diagnosed” with MTHFR by a doctor without full assessment and biochemical analysis of your body is faulty at best and irresponsible at worst.
The most useful application of genetic results involves a careful investigation of epigenetic influences coupled with biochemical evidence.
When you have a deeper understanding of hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) and use it as a foundational tool for your health, you will truly gain insight into your own biochemical map.
With the correct nutritional programs including supplements, diets, and lifestyle changes, we can influence our epigenetics to turn on the genes of health, happiness, and longevity.
The book of Genesis is the book of our genes, so lets all be co-conspirators and authors of writing our own book to turning on our genius…