How does MTHFR affect folate metabolism?

The MTHFR gene provides instructions for your body to make the MTHFR protein, which helps your body process folate. Your body needs folate to make DNA and modify proteins. A gene variant is a change in a DNA sequence that is different from the expected DNA sequence.

What happens if you take folic acid with MTHFR?

Folic acid: Supplementation with folic acid may compensate for the reduced MTHFR enzyme activity, leading to normal levels of the active L-methylfolate, which may have an impact on depression response. Studies investigating the effect of folic acid supplementation on depression response have produced mixed results.

What is abnormal folate metabolism?

Abnormal folate metabolism leads to higher rates of congenital malformations, particularly neural tube defects (NTDs). While women with poor diets are at increased risk for NTDs, even those with normal dietary intake of folate decrease their risk for NTDs with supplemental folate.

What happens if you can’t metabolize folic acid?

An inability to properly process folate can raise levels of homocysteine. Homocysteine is an amino acid in the bloodstream that can be dangerous when levels are too high. High homocysteine is linked to an elevated risk of heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

What does reduced folic acid metabolism mean?

Folate-deficiency anemia is the lack of folic acid in the blood. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps your body make red blood cells. If you don’t have enough red blood cells, you have anemia. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body.

What interferes with folate metabolism?

A number of drugs such as aminopterin, methotrexate (amethopterin), pyrimethamine, trimethoprim and triamterene act as folate antagonists and produce folate deficiency by inhibiting this enzyme.

Is MTHFR gene mutation serious?

Over time, the downstream effects of mutations in the MTHFR gene can put people at higher risk for many common health problems, such as preventable heart disease, colon cancer, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and more.