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The question "What does choline do" is a complex one. Once it enters the body, it can be directed toward several very different jobs. It can help build cell membranes, become the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, or e converted into betaine and contribute methyl groups to the methylation cycle.

You may read that a CBS variant causes the pathway to run “too fast,” depletes methyl groups, creates too much ammonia or sulfur, and means you should avoid sulfur-rich foods. Let's demystify and do some truth telling.

Your body actually has two major pathways for recycling homocysteine back into methionine. One depends primarily on folate and vitamin B12. The other uses choline-derived betaine.

If you have an MTHFR variant and trouble sleeping, it can be tempting to assume that the answer to "Does MTHFR cause insomnia?" Is a simple "YES." Sadly, like everything else with MTHFR, it's complicated. MTHFR influences folate and one-carbon metabolism (methylation), which in turn affects homocysteine, methionine, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), neurotransmitter biology and many methylation reactions throughout the body.Sleep itself also changes methylation patterns.

You get your bloodwork back and your homocysteine is elevated. If you've ever looked at Instagram ever your first thought is probably "It must be MTHFR!" You might be right, especially if you have an MTHFR C677T variant, which is most closely associated with high homocysteine. But there are many other reasons for homocysteine to be elevated, so don't stop looking once you see MTHFR.

Search for information about MTHFR online and you'll quickly encounter two very different messages. One group screams if you have an MTHFR variant, avoid folic acid and use methylfolate instead. The other group insists that people with MTHFR variants can process folic acid, so there is no reason to avoid it. Today, we'll explore the research and answer the question "Do you really need to avoid folic acid if you have MTHFR?"

If you've had genetic testing and discovered an MTHFR variant, there's a good chance your report mentions one or both of two names: C677T and A1298C. These are both variances in the same gene, MTHFR, but these two variants aren't the same (see the magic chair analogy for a simple explanation). They affect the MTHFR enzyme differently, and their practical significance can vary considerably. The question of MTHFR C677T vs. MTHFR A1298C is more complex.

Most conversations about blood sugar focus on carbohydrates, insulin, body weight, and exercise. These are all important, but glucose regulation is also influenced by quieter biochemical processes taking place inside every cell, including methylation. Methylation is one of the places where MTHFR and blood sugar intersect.

Pots, or postural orthostatic tachycardia, is a complex condition which often appears in people with MTHFR gene variances, so in this post we explore possible links between MTHFR and POTS.

When people think about estrogen, they usually think about how much of the hormone their body produces. But the other side of this story is how well your body processes and clears estrogen once it's been used. This process, called estrogen metabolism, is just as important as estrogen production itself. One of the body's most important tools for processing estrogen is methylation, a biochemical process supported by the MTHFR gene. MTHFR and hormones are linked.

MTHFR gene variants and hypothyroidism are often found together and several studies have looked at the link between the two, but the only real conclusion we can draw is that the connection is not simple. A 2022 meta-analysis published by Yang et. al. shows that C677T variants are associated with an increased risk of hypothyroidism, while A1298C variants are associated with a lower risk than the average population.

Understanding the difference between these two conditions can prevent unnecessary fear while also helping families recognize when true medical evaluation is needed.

With MTHFR and slow COMT, you may produce neurotransmitters inefficiently (MTHFR), but also break them down slowly (COMT). This can lead to fluctuating dopamine levels, periods of overstimulation or underperformance, and increased sensitivity to small biochemical changes.

MTHFR is one of those topics that can send parents down a rabbit hole very quickly. A child has anxiety, allergies, ADHD symptoms, food sensitivities, a tongue-tie, a sacral dimple, or a “sugar bug” vein between the eyes, and suddenly the internet says: “It’s MTHFR.” While it may be MTHFR, the truth is far more nuanced and definitely less scary.

Two human figures made of glowing wires and neor representing Norepinephrine and methylation. Norepinephrine is both a neurotransmitter in the brain and a hormone in the body, and more importantly, symptoms of low or high norepinephrine could tell us something about methylation patterns.

MTHFR and the gallbladder are linked, but not directly. Bile production and gallbladder function are deeply connected to liver metabolism, nutrient status, phospholipid production, inflammation, cholesterol balance, and methylation. That means common MTHFR gene variants may influence gallbladder health indirectly, not because MTHFR “controls the gallbladder,” but because methylation helps support several biochemical pathways that make healthy bile possible.

In clinical practice, however, patterns often emerge before the research fully catches up. One such pattern I observe is a striking overlap between individuals with MTHFR gene variants and symptoms of ADHD or ADD. To be clear: this is not yet a fully established causal relationship. But there is enough emerging evidence—and strong biochemical plausibility—to warrant a closer look.

The MTHFR gene mutation has gained attention for its potential role in various health issues, including food sensitivities. Understanding this connection can help individuals manage symptoms more effectively. This post explains how the MTHFR mutation may influence food sensitivities and provides clear steps for conducting an elimination and challenge diet to identify problematic foods.

Normal weight obesity (NWO) is a health condition that often goes unnoticed because it hides behind a normal body weight. People with NWO have a body mass index (BMI) within the normal range but carry excess body fat, especially around the abdomen. This post explores normal-weight obesity and MTHFR gene variants, and how these two are linked.

If you’ve been exploring your genetics, you may already be familiar with the MTHFR gene and its role in methylation. But if you also carry a slow MAOA variant, it adds an entirely different layer—one that directly impacts mood, stress response, and neurotransmitter balance. MTHFR and slow MAOA must be optimized together to avoid making symptoms worse.