LifeCare Chiropractic

The Best Chiropractic Care in Mesa, Arizona

MTHFR

Smoking, folate and MTHFR status in colon cancer – (07-30-01)

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Smoking, folate and MTHFR status in colon cancer

This is a wonderful article that should open the eyes to many patients out there trying things based on something they read in a magazine. This study evaluated the effect of genotype of MTHFR gene and folate status on colon cancer risk. Surprisingly, both low and high folate status can be a risk factor, depending upon the genotype of the patient. This is a perfect example of how the advancement of genetics can play a role in our health and longevity. We should not use genetic information as an exuse to change our genes through technology, but rather, use genetic information to tell us best how to adjust our environment for optimal longevity and health.

Article Abstract

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Some Supplements Found to Exceed Safe Levels of Vitamin B – (01-17-02)

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Some Supplements Found to Exceed Safe Levels of Vitamin B

This is an important news release in that it brings to light a whole plethora of issues and concerns. First, the recommended dosages of many nutrients is ridiculously low. So the fact that certain vitamins exceed the RDA is hardly cause for concern in my book. Second, there are many cases where high doses of certain B vitamins are essential for a patient. Consider for example that about 25% of the population has a sluggish methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) system. These patients will require high dosages of folic acid to drive the enzyme and perform essential functions such as protecting against cancer and helping proper cell division. The RDA can’t come close to touching what these people need. I will frequently use a B12 supplement with 2000 mcg (RDA is a measly 6 mcg) in my seniors to override poor absorption. The news release does mention that high doses of B vitamins should be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional, and I do strongly agree with this; however, few physicians have the background to give good recommendations. If your doctor seems unsure, find someone who is sure–don’t take nutritional advice from a physician who does not understand it.

News Release: Some vitamin B supplements may contain more than the recommended amount of the nutrients, according to a new report. ConsumerLab.com, a commercial testing company in White Plains, New York, conducted the study. “Consumers should be aware that more than 40% of the products that we evaluated exceeded levels at which they are known to be safely tolerated — some having more than 10 times the upper limit,” said Dr. Tod Cooperman, ConsumerLab.com’s president, in a prepared statement from the company. ConsumerLab.com tested 21 B vitamin supplement products. Some contained a single dose of a particular B vitamin while others included several. Nine of the 21 products exceeded established Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for adults — “above which there is increased risk for side effects with regular use,” according to the report. The report notes that three of the niacin-only products exceeded the UL for niacin, as did six of the seven B complex products. The UL for niacin is 35 mg, while these products recommended daily doses ranging from 400 mg to 510 mg. “There may be good medical reasons for exceeding these levels, but there may also be significant side effects,” Dr. Cooperman pointed out, and he advised people wanting to use high doses of B vitamins to consult with a healthcare professional.” Vitamin B dietary supplements are becoming increasingly popular due to last year’s decision by the US Food and Drug Administration to allow manufacturers to tout recent findings about the ability of B vitamins to reduce vascular disease risk.

 

Effect of low doses of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and folic acid – (09-26-02)

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Effect of low doses of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and folic acid on plasma homocysteine in healthy subjects with or without the 677CT polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase

Sorry about the long title…This study compares the use of folic acid to 5-methyl THF, the active form of folic acid (after being converted by MTHFR). Both showed similar effects at lowering homocysteine. However, the interesting effect here is that, in patients with two sluggish copies of the enzyme MTHFR, 5-methyl THF showed continued lowering of homocysteine 6 month after cessation of supplementation. This suggests that 5-methyl THF supplementation somehow changed the phenotypic expression related to folic acid metabolism.

Synergy Abstract

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DIABETICS SHOULD TAKE THIS VITAMIN

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First and foremost, diabetes should ALWAYS be managed principally with diet.  However, in the short term, until the changes are fully implemented, there are supplements that can be powerful players in improving your health.

The standard ones like fish oil and chromium are the first supplements that come to mind.  The B vitamins are not the supplements that come to mind first, but maybe they should.

B12, B6, folic acid and betaine are considered “methylation factors” because they are required by the body to undergo a process called methylation.  Methylation is an absolutely essential process for hundreds of reactions in the body that include turning genes on or off, protecting against DNA damage, healthy dilation of blood vessels and formation of neurotransmitters. 

The conversion of folic acid (or rather, the activation of folacin, which is the form found in our foods) to its active form, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTF) is done by an enzyme called methyltetrahydrofolate reductase, or MTHFR.  This enzyme, MTHFR, is linked to a wide variation of genetic uniquenesses called SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms).  This means that, in different people, this enzyme may run faster or slower because of these differences.   Because this pathway is very important for the healthy growth of a developing infant in the womb, a prenatal vitamin containing folic acid is now recommended for all women of child bearing age.

In general, because the methylation cycle is involved in some many aspects of physiology, it may be difficult to pin down exactly why this particular study saw such dramatic benefits with folic acid supplementation.  Regardless, the use of 5 mg (this is a high dosage–most supplemental forms of folic acid contain up to 800 mcg, or .8 mg) for 2 months.  An 8% drop in HbA1c levels and a 20% improvement in insulin action were seen.  These are pretty strong changes given how simple, safe and inexpensive this level of supplementation is.

The only thing I would add is that, although they did not do this in the study, make sure you combine folic acid supplementation with B12 as they play in the same circles and deficiency of one can be masked by supplementation of the other.  This would become more important with long term supplementation.

ARE MIGRAINES GENETIC?

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Genes, migraines, stroke.  Overall, there is absolutely no doubt that migraines are NOT a problem isolate to the head.  They are a problem with the health of the overall patient.  This is why we see an increased risk of conditions like stroke and heart disease in migraine sufferers.

Without looking in depth as to the reasons WHY a migraine is occurring, we can’t . Meds do NOTHING to change the risk of other diseases. In this article, we see links between homocystein, migraine with aura and a genetic uniqueness (called a “SNP”) in the way we use folic acid. When it comes to SNPs, the MTHFR is probably the absolute most important one for you to be aware of. There ARE simple genetic test kits that can help.

Read entire article here