Methylation is a critical step within the body’s biochemical pathways and if not working well can result in many complex biochemical and health outcomes

There is much interest within the health community at the potential for highly individualised holistic treatment protocols based on genetic testing.

Nutrigenomics is the term used to describe this process, which seeks to identify problems occurring with a nutrient’s absorption, metabolism, elimination or biological effect because of some kind of abnormal genetic variation.

One of the most talked about at the moment is the gene responsible for the production of the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR).

Genetic abnormalities in the MTHFR gene are currently estimated to occur in around 45% of the population and can lead to compromised production of this enzyme, which is essential for methylation.

Methylation is a critical step within the body’s biochemical pathways and if not working well can result in many complex biochemical and health outcomes. These include:

• Can progressively effect healthy gene regulation and synthesis
• Difficulties effectively processing toxins
• Compromised capacity to produce and metabolise neurotransmitters
• Difficulties processing oestrogen
• Problems in the production of key immune cells
• Increased susceptibility to inflammatory conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia
• Recurring miscarriages.
• Difficulties metabolising certain types of medications and supplements

Genetic testing, which is simple and inexpensive, can ascertain whether an individual has one of these genetic abnormalities.  Knowing this can then lead to an effective and individually designed treatment plan to ‘normalise’ this essential biochemical pathway, which combined with dietary and gut improvement work, will optimise a return to wellbeing.

This is a fascinating area and potentially of tremendous clinical importance.  For more information about MTHFR and the value and process of testing, contact Judith Magee today