What is the MTHFR Gene?

Reader, over the last few months, much of the world has been introduced for the first time to the vast intricacies of the global supply chain… and with huge shortages impacting many of our lives, it has felt like a rather rude introduction for some! 

When these supply chains are working the way they should, it’s easy to forget their existence altogether. But manufacturing relies on a smooth chain of interdependent events, linking together–and as we’ve come to learn, just a single broken link can send the whole process into disarray. 

The processes that inform our health and wellness are not so dissimilar to the supply chain that keeps our collective lives running smoothly: when all the processes involved in creating and sustaining health are in order, we can forget about the incredible intricacies behind our good fortune. But when one link is weakened or broken, we suffer… and nothing illustrates this point better than the functioning of our MTHFR gene. Read on to find out why!

The MTHFR Gene and Your Mental Health

The MTHFR gene is responsible for the production of the MTHFR enzyme in your body–and while this production may not sound familiar, it is critical to your mental health. 

You see, like a manufacturing plant, the body has a number of “raw materials” that must be processed into a new form before they can be used. Folate is one of those raw materials, and the MTHFR enzyme is the tool the body built to process it. With this enzyme’s help, folate is transformed into methylfolate, which in turn is responsible for building the neurotransmitters–including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine–that determine how good we feel.

Methylfolate is also incredibly important in supporting a process called methylation. Essential for good mental health and the maintenance of life itself, methylation is responsible for turning genes “on” or “off” through epigenetics. Methylation declines as we age, making our efforts to bolster methylfolate all the more important for sustained mental health. 

MTHFR and Genetic Testing

Up to 40% of all individuals have a genetic mutation on their MTHFR gene leading to low production of this critical enzyme. Some individuals with this mutation may find themselves suffering from depression or anxiety for decades without knowing what’s wrong. 

Taking a genetic test can help determine the root cause of their suffering–and when that root cause is a lack of the MTHFR enzyme, a psychiatrist can immediately help to adjust their brain’s manufacturing processes to get MTHFR back on track and improve mental health. This may involve an Enlyte prescription to support the methylation process. 

Supply chains run the world, whether we like it or not. But the more we understand them–both the ones outside of our bodies and the ones within–the more freedom we have to make choices that lead to greater happiness, longer lives, and a healthier mental outlook. 

Contact us today to learn more about genetic testing or schedule an appointment.