Does your kid have an MTHFR mutation colloquially known as the Mother F’er gene?

The MTHFR gene regulates the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase which is involved in methylation of B vitamins which are essential cofactors for many enzymatic pathways.

High levels of homocysteine and low levels of B vitamins such as B6, folate (B9) and B12 occur which can lead to many health issues such as cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, miscarriages, and pregnancies with neural tube defects.

Some reports have up to 98% of kids with autism having the mutation.

The two mutations seen that can lead to reduced MTHFR activity are C677T and A1298C.

Reduced activity of MTHFR leads to decreased formation of methylfolate and methyl B12 which are needed to form brain neurotransmitters- dopamine and serotonin- to regulate mood, attention, behaviors, communication, learning, and movement.

In addition, glutathione, one of the most potent antioxidants and detoxification molecules in the body, is reduced from an MTHFR mutation; therefore, detoxification can be impaired.

There’s genetic testing for MTHFR available through many companies such as 23andme.

Treatment typically is with methylfolate or folinic acid to provide the methylated form of folate since the body’s methylation’s ability is diminished.

With some kids, we see dramatic changes with folinic acid or methylfolate supplementation.

Support is sometimes also needed with methylB12 and glutathione.

In the Autism Healing Program, MTHFR is addressed since it is such a common finding amongst our kids.

You can schedule a complementary session at https://myhopewellness.satoriapp.com/offers/268129-discovery-session to review MTHFR and discuss other underlying factors that could be affecting your child and how the program can benefit them.

How can we improve detox in our kids?

We are all exposed to more than 700,000 toxins daily.

When our detoxification pathways are functioning fine, the liver should be able to manage the load and excrete them without difficulty,

There are situations where people have liver disorders, oxidative stressful conditions promoting inflammation that could suppress glutathione levels, or retained toxins due to trouble with constipation or reduced urination.

Our liver handles the bulk of detoxification, and the toxins are then released through breathing, peeing, pooping, and sweating.

The majority of autistic kids have dysfunctional detoxification pathways.

One of the major areas that we see this occurring is with the folation-methylation-transsulfuration cycle that occurs inside cells and forms many vital compounds involved in detox.

Two of the most important are methylfolate/folinic acid and glutathione.

Many autistic kids have genetic variants in MTHFR enzymes impairing regulating methylation of folic acid and GST enzymes impeding glutathione from binding to toxins to eliminate them.

When these pathways are dysregulated, there is an increase in inflammation and reduction of glutathione and methylfolate leading to impaired detoxification.

With this, we see toxins such as heavy metals, herbicides, pesticides, hormone disruptors such as BPA and phthalates, and biological toxins such as mold building up in kids with autism.

So, how can we evaluate these pathways and improve them?

There is genomic testing to determine if there is a genetic variant in MTHFR, GST and many others.

Supporting detox pathways with methylfolate/folinic acid, methylcobalamin (B12), magnesium, NAC, vitamin C, glutathione, milk thistle and NAC can be beneficial.

Be aware that the B vitamins such as methylfolate/folinic acid and methylB12 can cause hyperactivity.

Hydration, fruits, veggies, infrared sauna, and ionic foot baths can help detox.

Make sure your child is pooping and peeing regularly to eliminate the toxins.

When toxins are removed and not blocking cell receptors, nutrients can penetrate, inflammation and oxidative stress will go down to make for a healthier, happier child.