Unexplained infertility or recurrent miscarriages are devastating.
Unfortunately, few women realise just how much they may be affected by poor methylation due to common genetic mutations on their MTHFR gene.
There are three key points that you need to know here:
- We all have a MTHFR gene. This gene tells your body how to make the MTHFR enzyme.
- The MTHFR enzyme is required for breaking down folate or folic acid.
- Folate is absolutely crucial for your body to make DNA and support life.
However – if you have a mutation on the MTHFR gene, methylation is impaired. This means your body cannot use folate or folic acid properly. Folate is the natural food form of folic acid, also known as vitamin B9. And THAT can lead to a huge range of problems – especially if you’re trying to conceive.
What is methylation?
Quite simply, methylation is what makes your body work. The methylation process is like a control centre with billions of tiny switches that turn ‘on’ and ‘off’ every second. These switches control everything from your DNA to your digestive function.
Methylation reactions are vital for the production and the recycling of many important proteins, hormones, and neurotransmitters that are required for everyday bodily processes. Ultimately, methylation is responsible for the growth and development of all cells.
This is obviously crucial when trying to make a baby!
What is the MTHFR gene?
MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) is the enzyme produced by the MTHFR gene. This enzyme is responsible for converting any form of folate you consume (as food or as supplements), into the active form that your body can use.
The active form is known as 5-MTHF, or methylfolate. It’s the only form of folate that your body can use for its many different metabolic processes.
Methylfolate is an important cofactor in the healthy production of DNA and neurotransmitters. It also assists with cardiovascular function, hormone production, and many responses within the cells, liver and reproductive system.
Methylfolate is crucial for:
- Normal growth and renewal of cells, tissues and organs.
- Healthy cognitive function including balanced mood, memory, and behaviour.
- Assisting the activity of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e)
- Making important neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine)
- Production of the sleep hormone melatonin
- Balancing homocysteine
- Promoting healthy pregnancy and fetal development
- Repairing the myelin sheath for healthy nerve function
What is a MTHFR mutation?
It’s believed that around 30-40% of the population has some form of MTHFR mutation.
Each MTHFR gene SNP (single nucleotide polymorphisms) has two copies. A MTHFR mutation occurs due to one (or more) SNPs.
In other words, you can have either one or two mutations on the MTHFR gene or none at all. These common genetic mutations are referred to as variants. A mutation in one MTHFR gene is heterozygous, while a mutation in both genes is homozygous or compound heterozygous.
These variants are passed down from each of your biological parents. The more variations you have, the more problems your body will have with methylation.
Without getting into too much scientific jargon, a mutation means that the MTHFR enzyme cannot function properly. This means your body cannot process folic acid, along with other important B vitamins.
Impaired function of the MTHFR enzyme leads to significantly low levels of folate and 5-MTHF (active folate) in your body.
And THAT can lead to both poor methylation and higher levels of homocysteine, which is potentially toxic human metabolic byproduct. These are things you definitely don’t want when you’re trying to make a baby!
MTHFR and Folic Acid
As you are probably aware, women who are trying to conceive are strongly advised to take folic acid.
BUT!
Folic acid and methylfolate are not the same things!
First of all, folic acid is a man-made synthetic nutrient.
Second, folic acid must undergo at least four different conversions in the body before it becomes the form the body can absorb and use: methylfolate.
In a nutshell? Your body cannot use folate if it has not been converted to the active form. If your body isn’t converting folic acid properly, you’ll end up with low levels of folate… and potentially serious health issues.
Methylfolate and Conception
Folate is not only required for proper DNA replication, it’s crucial for the prevention of neural tube defects. It’s especially important during the first few weeks of fetal’ development, which is often before a woman discovers she’s pregnant. Folate deficiency during this time can lead to serious, lifelong birth defects in the baby’s brain or spine.
So, if you’re trying to conceive, it’s very important to look for a prenatal supplement containing methylated folate.
Studies have shown that poor methylation is linked to issues with infertility and even miscarriage.
One important study conducted in 2018 involved 30 couples who had a history of infertility and at least one partner with the MTHFR mutation. The couples took a daily supplement containing 800 mcg 5-MTHF for four months while trying to conceive. By the end of the study, 27 couples had fallen pregnant.
This is an excellent example of how important methylation is while trying to conceive, and how the correct form of folate can benefit even those with the MTHFR mutation. It’s super important that you’re supporting optimal methylation by getting a quality form of methylfolate. I’ll explain more about this in my next blog.