Unraveling Anxiety: Understanding the MTHFR Connection may lead to your relief.
If you’ve ever found yourself wrestling with anxiety, let’s ponder on a few things together. Firstly, has anxiety been a constant companion on your life’s journey? If so, it might be linked to a common gene quirk known as MTHFR. This type of anxiety tends to stick around over the years. Now, think about your triggers. Can you always pinpoint what sets off your anxiety? My guess is, no.
That’s because, more often than not, it’s not about external factors but something woven into your body’s workings. And, if you’ve given anti-anxiety meds a shot without much relief, you’re not alone.
Unraveling Anxiety: The MTHFR Connection
The MTHFR Connection & Your Path to Relief
Basically, MTHFR mutations hinder our body’s ability to transform folate (vitamin B9) into methylfolate. Without methylfolate, our brain doesn’t get what it needs to function properly. This can lead to depression, anxiety and other health complications. MTHFR mutations paired with mood disruptors can wreak havoc on our mind and physical well-being.
In cases like these, it could be worthwhile to dig a bit deeper and get tested for the MTHFR gene mutation. This gene plays a crucial role in converting folic acid and folate into a form called methyl folate, which your body can actually use. It’s like the VIP pass for nutrients, ensuring they’re in a form your body can work with.
So, if your body struggles with this conversion, you might end up with deficiencies. These deficiencies, in turn, can manifest as various conditions like depression, anxiety, ADHD and more. The key here is understanding that these aren’t external forces acting upon you but internal processes within your body. Unraveling this can open doors to targeted approaches for your overall well-being.
MTHFR commonly causes pyrroluria, a disorder that hinders the body’s ability to transform folate (vitamin B9) into methylfolate. Something that without sufficient levels in the brain, can cause depression, anxiety, and other health complications. When proper folate levels are restored to normal, anxiety and depression can be decreased by over half within a few weeks.
Read: Pyroluria – A Hidden Cause of Addictions, ADHD, Anxiety and Other Afflictions
Unraveling Anxiety: The MTHFR Connection
Symptoms of MTHFR Induced Anxiety
Everyone experiences anxiety differently. The symptoms range from mild feelings of an upset stomach and fast heartbeat to feeling completely out of control, experiencing nightmares, panic attacks and dark thoughts you can’t control. A general feeling of fear and worry, troubled sleep, poor concentration and restlessness are also common.
When things go south, anxiety can turn into full-fledged anxiety attacks. These often build up slowly and look very similar to panic attacks. People dealing with anxiety attacks can feel faint or dizzy, experience shortness of breath, dry mouth, sweating and chills, feel distressed, experience severe apprehension and worry, restlessness, fear and numbness or tingling.
These are all serious symptoms that affect the quality of our lives. It’s important that we have a plan to tackle anxiety symptoms.
Make A Plan
B-vitamins show promise in treating depression and anxiety, especially if it’s associated with MTHFR mutations. Studies show that appropriate levels of methylcobalamin (vitamin B12), methylfolate, and SAMe help with mental health by normalizing MTHFR conversion activities in our bodies. SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) is a compound in the body that is often added to help manage anxiety symptoms. Taking methylfolate helps the body make more SAMe.
If you’re dealing with anxiety and you fear you might have an MTHFR gene mutation, there are some simple steps you can take that should help control your condition or at least make it more manageable:
Talk to your doctor about getting tested for MTHFR.
When discussing MTHFR testing with your doctor, it’s essential to communicate openly about your concerns regarding conditions like depression, ADHD and anxiety. You can approach the conversation like this:
Express Your Concerns: Begin by expressing your concerns about the symptoms you’ve been experiencing, such as depression, ADHD and anxiety. Let your doctor know how these conditions are impacting your daily life and well-being.
Mention Family History: If there’s a family history of similar conditions or if you know that certain family members have MTHFR gene mutations, share this information. Family history can provide valuable context for your doctor.
Discuss Symptoms and Patterns: Describe your specific symptoms and any patterns you’ve noticed. For example, if you’ve experienced anxiety that doesn’t seem directly related to external triggers or if you’ve struggled with mood disorders over an extended period, mention these details.
Inquire About Testing: Inquire about the possibility of testing for MTHFR gene mutations. You can express a desire to understand if there’s a genetic component contributing to your symptoms, and testing for MTHFR could provide valuable insights.
Be Open to Discussion: Be open to discussing various testing options and what the results could mean for your overall health. Your doctor may recommend specific tests or refer you to a specialist for further evaluation.
Ask About Treatment Options: Inquire about potential treatment options if MTHFR mutations are identified. Discuss how addressing these genetic factors could be integrated into your overall mental health care plan.
Remember, open communication and collaboration with your healthcare provider are crucial. Your doctor is there to support you, and discussing genetic testing can be a proactive step toward understanding and managing your mental health.
- Start supplementing with an active (bioavailable) form of folate. We recommend L-Methylfolate supplementation daily for the best results.
- MTHFR mutations can also compromise your body’s ability to absorb B12. Adding an active B12 supplement into the mix helps your body stay balanced. Make sure you consider only the active forms of B12 (hydroxocobalamin, methylcobalamin and/or adenosylcobalamin), NOT cyanocobalamin. We suggest you start your research with a L-Methylfolate and B12 combination. (Read more about the company we suggest here.)
Switch to a healthy and balanced diet with folate-rich foods like dark leafy greens, broccoli, lentils and other beans. If you are seriously working at helping yourself, then don’t put bad things in to your body while trying to get it turned back around. Your effects will prove unprofitable and defeating. Think about what you eat and work to add only those foods that benefit your body, mind and spirit.
- —- Be certain to talk first with your health care provider before adding any suppliments to your health care routine and always talk to your doctor FIRST if you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
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Disclaimer: The information and/or products mentioned in these article are provided as information resources only and are not to be used or relied on to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The statements made in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, but rather to be considered as an informational resource only to encourage critical thinking and personal research. The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by licensed medical physicians. Please consult your doctor or health care practitioner for any and all medical advice.
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