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.

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.

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.

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.

PEMT quietly works alongside MTHFR, and when both are affected, the impact on health can be much more significant. MTHFR and PEMT must be managed together to avoid consequences to fertility, liver function, neurotransmitters, and more.

Inflammation is a natural response by the body to injury or infection, but when it becomes chronic, it can contribute to many health problems. One factor linked to higher resting levels of inflammation is a genetic variation in the MTHFR gene. This post explores why MTHFR mutations may increase inflammation, reviews current research, and offers practical strategies to reduce inflammation naturally.

Choline is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in brain function, liver health, and cellular metabolism. For people with the MTHFR gene mutation or methylation imbalances, understanding choline’s different forms, food sources, and health benefits becomes even more important.

Methionine is an essential amino acid that plays a critical role in many biological processes, especially as a methyl donor in the body. Its relationship with homocysteine, a sulfur-containing amino acid linked to cardiovascular health, has attracted significant scientific interest.

Blood clotting disorders can pose serious health risks, including stroke, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. One genetic factor that influences clotting risk is the MTHFR gene mutation

Vitamin B6 plays a critical role in several biochemical processes essential for health. One of its most important functions is supporting the activation of folate and facilitating methylation pathways. These processes are vital for DNA synthesis, gene expression, and overall cellular function

Choline is often overshadowed by other nutrients, but its importance, especially for individuals with the MTHFR gene mutation, cannot be overstated. This blog post will explore the vital role of choline in managing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), its biochemical pathways, and its overall health benefits.

The connection between MTHFR gene mutations and blood clot risk often centers on homocysteine levels. The common story goes like this: if you have an MTHFR mutation, your homocysteine will be high, and that means you face a greater risk of blood clots. But this narrative oversimplifies a complex relationship.

Blood tests for folate have one big fatal flaw, making them both innaccurate and functionally useless, and the most common folate levels that we see on the blood tests of people with MTHFR might surprise you.

High homocysteine is one of the most medically recognized consequences of having an MTHFR gene mutation, and learning to lower homocysteine with MTHFR can protect your health long-term. Balancing your methylation and boosting your B vitamins, especially B2, folate or 5-LMTHF, and B12, is the usual first step with MTHFR. But for true health, there are some other things that matter as well.

MTHFR and homocysteine are linked because homocysteine builds up when the folate cycle isn't working efficiently, which can happen with MTHFR. Because of this, testing homocysteine can be a helpful way to determine whether the health changes you are making for your MTHFR gene mutation are actually effective for you. In this post, we will cover Homocysteine testing and parameters - what is normal, what isn't, and what is considered normal but maybe shouldn't be.