TikTokers love to say this, and its true.
This isnottrue, even though some influencers have built their entire online personalities around claims like these.
And they will sell you supplements.
What is MTHFR, really?
So, here goes.
MTHFR, ormethylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, is an enzyme that converts 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate.
This is necessary because 5-methyltetrahydrofolate goes on to donate a methyl group to homocysteine, making methionine.
Vitamin B12(cyanocobalamin) is also involved in this pathway.
These vitamins are essential to our bodies because they are needed for biochemical pathways including this one.
What is the MTHFR gene, really?
you’ve got the option to seethe MTHFR entry in the National Library of Medicines Gene database here.
It resides on chromosome 1, in humans.
(Other animals have their own versions.)
It is expressed in many different tissues, including the lungs, thyroid, spleen, and more.
What are MTHFR variants?
There are different versions of MTHFR, as there are with many genes.
The different versions of MTHFR are more like hair colors or eye colors.
You dont have a brown hair mutation, you just have brown hair.
Geneticists use the termvariantsfor the different flavors of a gene.
The slightly less good variants are still functional and dont cause any significant health issues in most people.
Some variants are also more common in some ethnic groups than others.
But the bottom line is, MTHFR variants are extremely common.
Something that affects half the population is, to use the technical meaning of the term, normal.
Whats wrong with having a MTHFR variant, according to these influencers?
(How youre supposed to figure out that your thyroids acting up, he doesnt say.)
Does MTHFR actually cause health problems?
The only reason anybody knows about this gene is because its effect on health has been studied.
Another potential issue with MTHFR is the risk for neural tube issues in babies.
Many of the influencers will then go on to say that the un-methylated versions are toxic to you.
The claims get pretty wild from there.
Folic acid doesnt prevent anything.
But thats exactly backwards.
Folate exists in many different forms in food and in your body.
Not methylfolate or any of the dietary folates.
If you are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant,take at least 400-600 micrograms of folic acid in supplements.
Strangely, the MTHFR TikTokersalsowarn about the dangers of over-methylating if you take methylated vitamins.
These birthmarks arenot linked with MTHFR, although there wouldnt be any reason for concern even if they were.
Remember, MTHFR testing isnt medically useful.
Theres nothing your doctor would recommend doing differently if you know your child has a MTHFR variant.