To Health With That! MTHFR Mutations and Methylation.

This week we've got some questions from listeners - all about MTHFR. We'll talk about: What to do if you want to work with Amy. The three different options and how to find them. How MRI Contrast medium might be different for MTHFR folks What mamas nursing MTHFR babies should do about MRIs How to ask a question of your own. I'll try to do answer sessions once a month. If you do have a question, go...

We've all heard so many  things we're supposed to do to be happy, but do you know anybody who actually does them? This week we'll talk about simple joyhacks, most of which take five minutes or less, that have been shown by science to boost your happiness. We'll talk about: A two-minute trick with a pencil (no joke!) Why smaller, achievable goals boost your joy more than bigger, shinier ones....

Research has mostly shown that mental health issues often correlate with imbalance in neurotransmitters and so that idea has been locked in socially. We have painted ourselves into a corner in which ALL mental health issues must be neurotransmitters. This week, we'll talk about: Four reasons why it might not always be about neurotransmitters. Why the word "depression" might mean something differen...

One more episode in our mini-series on neurotransmitters, MTHFR also affects your levels of norepinephrine and its metabolite, epinephrine. We'll discuss: The only two neurotransmitters that are also hormones and what that means. Why too high norepinephrine looks like you've taken too much cocaine. The sloth of too low norepinephrine. A few simple things you can do to boost or quench your norepine...

In our little mini-series on MTHFR and neurotransmitters, we'll move on to discuss the relationship between MTHFR and dopamine. We'll talk about: The unlikely first symptoms you might see of low dopamine levels Why banana smoothies might help with dopamine related weight gain (like after you quit smoking) The issue with dopamine receptors And how to boost your levels without drugs. For the complet...

MTHFR is tangled up with neurotransmitters via its direct link with the BH4 pathway, which is where most neurotransmitters are made. So let's talk about MTHFR and serotonin. This week we'll go over: The surprisingly mixed evidence with serotonin and depression. The first thing you should do to boost serotonin with MTHFR. Low serotonin symptoms you might never think of. Some amazing serotonin boost...

Decision fatigue is the weary, burned out feeling that comes from the constant burden of too many choices. Simple choices and consequential ones all add into this issue, but today we're talking about some strategies especially for the decision fatigue that comes along with MTHFR and any other chronic health issue. We'll discuss: 4 red flags that tell you you're in decision fatigue territory. 7 way...

This is our most frequently asked question in Genetic Rockstars, the MTHFR community, so I figured we'd better have a conversation about it. This week we'll discuss: The four most common forms of B12 available Which forms are active Which form is already methylated The form that can have the most side effects for MTHFR folks The form that needs to be detoxified as well as methylated. B 12 is pivot...

These two amazing research studies are actually measuring how active the MTHFR gene is and how Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils change that. We'll talk about: B vitamins and omega-3s together and what happens to homocysteine when you take them. The remarkable effects of omega-3 for pregnant women with MTHFR. Why EVERY pregnant woman with MTHFR should take fish oils. Thanks for listening and if y...

Research is starting to show that some magic happens between B vitamins and fish oils, or omega-3 fatty acids, that allows the two of them together to work far better than either one alone.  Especially in areas that are of some concern to MTHFR folks, like cognitive decline, homocysteine levels, and inflammation. What is the magic here? You can check out the full show notes here: MTHFR, B Vit...

We've talked about the risks of homocysteine and optimal  levels and even the link between Covid-19 disease severity and Homocysteine, so now, let's talk about how to tackle the problem when your homocysteine is high. Let's learn about: Why it's important to remember you can have fleas and ticks on the same dog. Other causes of high homocysteine A step-by-step plan to get your homocysteine le...

Ok - so we get that homocysteine is a problem for MTHFR folks. But what levels are we talking about here? In this episode we'll talk about: Important things your doctor might forget to tell you when you're getting your homocysteine tested. The normal range, and why in this case "normal" has little to do with optimal. What the research is beginning to show might be a more ideal range to shoot for....

In good-ish news, Covid-19 has been around long enough for us to get some DNA-specific research into the mix. Not much research has been done yet on Covid-19 and MTHFR, but we do have some data. We'll talk about: The link between C677T mutation, Covid-19 and mortality rates How high homocysteine might be a predictor of Covid-19 outcomes Why MTHFR folks are more susceptible to acute viral-related h...

It's really easy to get into the mindset that methionine is "good" and homocysteine is "bad" but the truth is so much more interesting than that! Let's talk about: The nutrients you are probably getting way too much of if you live in the West. How "boosting your protein" might be a failed strategy. The weird link between methionine and Covid-19 Why MTHFR folks have to be extra careful about their...

Homocysteine is usually the first thing that tips you or your doctor off to the fact that there may be an MTHFR mutation or an issue somewhere else in this genetic process. But what is the big deal? In this episode we'll talk about: The risks of having high homocysteine - it's not just about your heart (but heart attacks are a real problem, so don't underestimate that part). The link between MTHFR...

We've had a few conversations about detox, but let's revisit some of these concepts in greater detail. This week we'll talk about: The symptoms that can happen if you're pushing detox too hard. Why being emotionally "toxic" and physically toxic are eerily similar. Three lovely ways for MTHFR folks to detox without the drama and life-crises of detox kits. If you're looking for the complete show not...

Last week we talked about the idea of breaking mental bad habits and I gave you three tools you can use. The Fantasy The Stop and Drop The Distraction So what happens when you actually start using these tools? Find out in today's episode. You'll learn about: The four phases of progress Why step two is vital, but feels like you're moving backward The science behind what seems so good it could only...

Let's talk about Overmethylation. Do overmethylators even need to have the MTHFR mutation? Unique gifts overmethylators bring to the world and the strengths of this group. The darker side of those gifts. Health risks that are more common in overmethylators. Drug and nutrient reactions that are more likely for the folks in this group. For the complete show notes, look here . If you're not sure if y...

This week we're expanding on the conversation about other factors in depression and talking about the single most overlooked factor in mental health - bad habits. Mental bad habits are a fact of life, but we'll talk about three different techniques to break them. The fantasy The stop and drop The distraction We'll also talk about how these bad habits form to begin with and what neuroplasticity has...

Depression isn't an MTHFR problem, it's a human problem. Having said that, there are lots of ways MTHFR can contribute and the best news is, they're mostly fixable. In this episode we'll talk about: The two contributors to depression that every parent of a toddler understands. How balancing your methylation can help reduce five potential contributors to depression. Why when your doctor "runs out o...

Undermethylation is the most common MTHFR basic state, and it has its own unique strengths, challenges, and reactions to the world. In this episode you will learn: The amazing things about undermethylators that have helped them push their dreams into the world. The three most common health issues undermethylators face. Drugs and supplements to which  undermethylators tend to react badly. The...

Healing can be a messy process, but by using a systematic approach you can avoid some of the craziness. In this episode we'll talk about: Supplement Soup, and how to avoid it. The three phases for working with MTHFR The four piles you should put your supplements into (and which ones you can toss). The beta group for Amy's new MTHFR 101 course - launching this spring, and how you can be a part of i...

This week will help you to get a mental image of how all of your tiny stressors end up turning into symptoms your body. It's an MTHFR fairy tale (don't worry, there's a happy ending.) Remember - the goal is to empty your bucket. :) The full show notes can be seen here: https://www.tohealthwiththat.com/ the-bucket-theory-and-mthfr /

Let's face it - MTHFR goes hand in hand with allergies and sensitivities in a number of different forms. In this episode, we'll talk about: The four known links between MTHFR and allergies. The four types of allergies or sensitivities that are common for MTHFR folks. How these sensitivities can be a strength, if you can harness them. For details about the upcoming MTHFR community, follow this link...

This episode resulted from a great question from listener Jane Turner - thanks, Jane! We'll talk about: MTHFR and Tylenol (or paracetamol, or acetaminophen - just depending on what country you happen to be in) MTHFR and NSAIDS (or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) Surprising information about MTHFR and aspirin The sad truth about MTHFR and opioid medications One commonly used anesthetic that is n...