MTHFR and Breast Implants

MTHFR and breast implants can be a significant factor in your health and your ability to detox. What is MTHFR? In 2003  the Human Genome Project revealed an important gene to our detoxification, the MTHFR gene, which is defective and mutated in many people. When it’s working correctly the MTHFR gene produces the MTHFR enzyme. The MTHFR enzyme works with folate vitamins (B9, folic acid), breaking down and converting to the amino acids homocysteine and methionine which is used by your body to make proteins, utilize antioxidants, and to assist your liver to process fats. Methionine helps with depression and inflammation. It also helps convert estradiol (E2) into estriol (E3). Methionine is converted in your liver into SAM-e, which is an anti-inflammatory, supports your immune system, helps produce and breakdown your brain chemicals serotonin, dopamine and melatonin, and is involved in the growth, repair and maintenance of your cells. So a proper methylation pathway means you will be able to eliminate toxins and heavy metals easier than if it is defective and mutated.

When it is not working correctly the MTHFR gene only functions at 40% to 80% of its capacity which means you won’t break down toxins or heavy metals very well and you could find yourself accumulating toxins and heavy metals. The defective gene does not break down folate vitamins properly which can cause high homocysteine and homocysteine is poorly converted to glutathione which is your body’s master detoxifier and so you are more susceptible to toxin buildup. If you have MTHFR and breast implants your health may decline faster and worse than someone without MTHFR and breast implants.

How to treat it?  You can’t change a defective gene but you can help it do its job better and minimize problems. Some find their folic acid lab test levels are high (it’s one of several folate vitamins) since a defect in the gene prevents your body from using it, it goes high. The recommended solution is avoid supplements and many processed foods with folic acid.   Healthy foods that contain folate should be okay, as would be the active form of folate called methyl-folate as a supplement, also called 5-MTHF (5-methyltetrahydrofolate). B12 might also be high, so patients tend to avoid the synthetic supplemental version of B12 called cyanocobalamin and instead favour the more useable methylcobalamin (methylB12), which will help break down those high levels. But the methylB12 will be used by your body in detoxifying you, so you may need to start low to avoid detox side effects like fatigue, achiness, etc. Another good B-vitamin is the methyl version of B6, called P-5-P.

Dr. Ben Lynch feels that “repairing the digestive system and optimizing the flora should be one of the first steps in correcting a methylation deficiency”, and that especially includes treating Candida because of the toxins it releases, inhibiting proper methylation.  Some experts recommend eating clean, such as Paleo or the GAPS diet. Avoiding exposure to toxins is important. Minerals play a key role in several enzymatic functions. Vitamin C helps reduce oxidants.  Molybdenum (500 mcg) helps break down excess sulfates and sulfites.

High copper and low zinc is a common finding when you have an MTHFR defect–a high level of copper, which will conversely mean your zinc levels will fall. And since the ratio of these two metals is highly important, correcting the problem is crucial, since high copper can be related to hyperactivity, depression, headaches, acne, frequent colds due to lowered immunity, sensitive skin and/or bruising, worsening hypothyroid, adrenal stress and more.

Here are some great resources about MTHFR

• mthfr.net

• knowyourgenetics.com

• selfhacked.com/blog/need-know-mthfr-genespolymorphisms-c677t-rs1801133/