The Connection Between MTHFR and Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome
Both Methyl-Tetrahydrofolatereductase (MTHFR) mutations and Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS) are becoming increasing prevalent as more people get tested for it. While both of these conditions can exist as isolated syndromes, they are often found together when you look at the BIG Picture and causes behind Adrenal Fatigue. This should make perfect sense when you look at what the causes behind adrenal fatigue are. But with that being said, treatment for these conditions can vary a great deal and what is helpful in one may be harmful in the other. Because Methylation is vital to life, poor MTHFR functioning can and will cause many other metabolic imbalances.
A small but very important enzyme MTHFR is responsible for some minor and major illnesses in the body since methylation is important for all cellular functions in the body. Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), depression, cardiovascular ailments may be caused by MTHFR anomalies.
What exactly is methylation?
Simply put, MTHFR forms part of a compound comprising a methyl group, one carbon and three hydrogen atoms. It helps with:
- Cellular repair
- Synthesis of nucleic acids along mRNA
- Neurotransmitter production and detoxification
- Formation of red and white blood cells and platelets
- Immune system
MTHFR does not take only one form as it comes in more than fifty variants or mutations and some can be harmful. Different variants are responsible for different ailments. To give you an example, 677T can be responsible for vascular and pregnancy related complications like:
- cerebral vascular accident (stroke)
- elevated homocysteine,
- cardiovascular disease risk,
- peripheral neuropathy
- deep vein thrombosis
- early onset heart disease
- neuro-tube defect
- cleft lip
Another variant 1298C plays a role in the development of diseases like:
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
- Chronic migraines
- Irritable bowel syndrome
MTHFR Mutations and problems associated with it
There are two kinds of MTHFR presentations – heterozygous or homozygous. Those who have heterozygous MTHFR have only one altered gene, but even this is sufficient to reduce enzyme activity by as much as 40 percent. Having a homozygous MTHFR, however, reduces enzyme activity by a whopping 90 percent and is a more serious condition.
Unfortunately, modern life and exposure to various environmental toxins, including heavy metals, processed and hydrogenated foods, sensitive or allergic conditions all predispose people to MTHFR problems.
Screening and treatment for MTHFR
In case you suffer from physical or mental problems for which there is no known cause, or there is a family history of neurological and cardiac problems or birth defects, you should consider screening for MTHFR. The tests can comprise liver enzymes, ferritin, homocysteine and/or genetic testing. Some other tests like urine analysis and toxic screening test may also be required. The results will tell the doctor more about your condition, which may or may not need treatment.
If you have very small variations in different levels, you may require symptomatic treatment, usually with Vitamin B9 and B12 supplementation either orally or via injections. However, the dosage must be monitored since excessive supplementation has unnecessary side effects.
The MTHFR and Glutathione connection
Glutathione is necessary in the body and often people with MTHFR problems have low levels of this important component. Glutathione helps in detoxification of various organs in the body and is also required for recycling of important vitamins like C and E. Where Glutathione levels are low, they can be increased by supplements in the liposomal form. For milder cases, oral glutathione supplementation will help.
Other supplements that can help with MTHFR are methyl donors like DMG, TMG and betaine, essential fatty acids, minerals, herbs, Vitamin C and amino acids. However, supplements may not help if you suffer from AFS (Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome) and the correlation between MTHFR and AFS is not established.
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