The Mthrfckr Gene

I, not so, affectionately call the MTHFR gene the Mthrfckr gene. MTHFR stands for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, which is an enzyme produced in our bodies that processes b vitamins. And why do I hate this gene? Because it has mutations that really mess us up.

The MTHFR gene maintains our cells by taking folate from our food that affects our serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, make healthy blood cells for our bone marrow, convert carbohydrates into energy, and creates DNA and RNA. Simply this means that if we have one or more MTHFR gene mutations our body is not going to be operating properly and it shows up in a variety of health symptoms and disorders. Globally, at least 60-70% of the population have at least one mutation. And the more mutations you have, the less efficiently your body is going to operate.

So, I will continue to scream it from the rooftops, if you have:

anxiety

depression

bipolar disorder

schizophrenia

ADHD

Autism

Autoimmune disorders

Gut and digestion issues

Hormonal issues

Cancer

miscarriages

You very likely have at least one gene mutation. And your reduced ability to process folate and b vitamins will exacerbate all of your symptoms. See, it is a mthrfckr!

But not all hope is lost. All natural changes to your diet, supplementation and lifestyle as well as detoxification can help manage your symptoms. My personal suggestion, the easiest one to start with, is stay away from folic acid (hint: it’s in all “fortified” foods like cereal, pasta, bread). Why do you have to stay away from folic acid? People with the MTHFR mutation have trouble converting folic acid into a usable form.

Feed a child cereal or a waffle for breakfast and then they go to school and struggle with their ADHD and get in trouble. It’s also why a lot of parents notice improvements in behavior when they put their child with autism on a gluten free diet. And I know, a gluten free diet seems daunting. So don't start there. Start by making sure you are supplementing yourself or your children with a multi-vitamin that has methyl-folate, NOT folic acid.

Does gluten affect MTHFR? how and why?. Methyl. (n.d.). https://methyl-life.com/blogs/mthfr/mthfr-gluten

Karthik Kumar, M. (2024). MTHFR gene mutation: Deficiency, symptoms, testing, treatments. MedicineNet. https://www.medicinenet.com/what_does_the_mthfr_gene_mutation_cause/article.htm

Robin Berzin, M. (2024, August 6). MTHFR gene mutation: Symptoms, testing, and 6 natural treatments options. Parsley Health. https://www.parsleyhealth.com/blog/mthfr-mutation

What percentage of the population has an MTHFR mutation? Biology Insights. (2025). https://biologyinsights.com/what-percentage-of-the-population-has-an-mthfr-mutation/