Folic Acid: Friend Or Foe? How The MTHFR Genetic Variation Can Affect Your Fertility & Pregnancy

Most women already know that folate (vitamin B9) is an important vitamin for expectant mothers and is taken to prevent the development of spina bifida and other birth defects such as cleft palate and even tongue-tie. Not having enough of the right type of folate in one’s system can also be one of the causes of multiple miscarriages and other problems with fertility. It can also be important to support maternal mental health and prevent post-natal depression.

What is less well-known, is that many people inherit a genetic SNP called Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (commonly known as MTHFR) which can alter the way we metabolise certain forms of folate especially synthetic manmade folic acid. Being aware of the presence of MTHFR and which type of folate to prioritise, can help with fertility chances as well as producing a healthy baby and maintaining resilience as a new mum during the fourth trimester.

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You would have thought that eating folic acid fortified bread and cereals and even supplementing with a multivitamin or B complex containing folic acid is the simple solution. However up to 70% of us struggle to convert the synthetic manmade folic acid used in these vitamins and foods into a form that the body can use.

This unconverted folic acid can build up in the blood showing elevated serum folate levels and can become toxic to our system. At the same time this leaves the cells and processes that need the folate most, starved of this essential vitamin. If this poor conversion occurs over a long period of time, then health can start to deteriorate and that is when certain fertility or problems with the baby can start to develop.

So why can’t 60-70% of the population convert synthetic folic acid into useable folate? It is probably due to this common genetic code called MTHFR. Mutations or errors in genetic sequences of MTHFR alter DNA function and if activated (switched on) the cellular damage caused is believed to be one of the key drivers in the exponential growth in cancers, autoimmune conditions, autism, ADHD, depression, schizophrenia and other mental health conditions. It may well be part of the picture of progression of neurological diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease, Parkinson and Dementia.

There is no need to panic, carrying MTFR genetics is not an automatic flag that you will go on to develop any of these debilitating health conditions. Far from it. Knowledge is power, and by understanding the role MTHFR plays it can enable you to take control of your health through easy adaptations to your lifestyle and diet can make all the difference.

What is MTHFR?
The MTHFR gene sits on Chromosome 1 and provides instructions to the body for making methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, an important enzyme that processes the natural nutrient folate into a form the body can use. In addition, when MTHFR genes work properly they support important cellular activity and the creation of proteins, antioxidants, detoxification of toxins, hormone metabolism, balanced brain chemistry, the ability to turn neurotransmitters on and off, and the process of managing inflammation within the body, tissue repair, energy and mitochondrial support, and reduce the aging process.

However, if you have one or more activated MTHFR genes your body can’t break down synthetic folic acid which can create high homocysteine levels. This in turn increases inflammation in the body and the risk of health issues and disease(s) such as heart attack, stroke, venous thrombosis, birth defects, migraine, recurrent early miscarriage, osteoporosis, thyroid conditions and cancer.

Without this crucial folate mechanism working optimally, the body cannot synthesise the essential antioxidant, glutathione, which can lead to further damage of fundamental brain neurotransmitters and may be the start of or speed up the progress of neurological disorders and chronic disease.

Testing
It is possible to test for MTHFR genes (of which there are over 50 variations) through a simple saliva DNA test. Researchers have identified C677T and A1298C (often written as 677 and 1298) as the most common genetic single nucleotide polymorphisms (frequently called SNPs) and are more likely to affect folate metabolism.  You can also ask your practitioner to organise a methylation panel which is a blood test to check to see whether the folate is being metabolised efficiently. Homocysteine testing (which is another blood test) can also identify if there is a current high need for vitamin B6, B12 and folate.

If tests are positive for an MTHFR mutation then the most important thing to remember is the mutation might not have been expressed (switched itself on). This may be because you are living a healthy stress-free life already and eating lots of leafy green vegetables. It may also be that you have other genetic strengths to balance this SNP.  If folate related health conditions/symptoms are apparent, then it might be possible to ameliorate these at the root cause and manage them more positively.  Simple diet and lifestyle changes and in some cases specific supplementation can safeguard against future health issues or deterioration.

A word on vitamin B12
People with MTHFR SNPs can also become deficient in vitamin B12, which your body needs to process folate properly. Vitamin B12 is crucial for you and your baby’s brain, nervous system and also your red and white blood cell formation. Therefore, it is important to ensure your diet is rich in natural sources of B12 such as beef (grass-fed), feta cheese, fish, liver, and sardines.

Some women who are looking to optimise their fertility and pregnancy also benefit from vitamin B12 supplementation given alongside the folate support and again your NatureDoc practitioner can identify if a deficiency is present.

Supplementing folate on its own can mask a B12 deficiency and this is why it is important to test at the outset and to retest from time to time. Again, in most cases a methylated form of B12 such as methyl cobalamin (methyl B12) would be more helpful than cyanocobalamin which is the form used in most standard vitamin supplements. By supplementing with active forms of theses crucial vitamins, we may be able to bypass metabolic glitches and support optimal B12 and folate requirements.

So, as you can see, MTHFR SNP’s can play a significant role in the development of fertility and pregnancy related health concerns as well as the formation of a healthy baby and maternal mental health. However, more importantly with some tests and knowledge we can address the possible root causes of these problems, and better still have a positive strategy to help prevent such negative outcomes.

MTHFR mutations affects most of us directly or indirectly, so please share this post and let this knowledge empower good health and happy healthy mums and babies!