For a long time I have known that homocysteine is an important marker for heart disease and inflammation. Homocysteine was discovered about the same time as cholesterol in the 1950's. Because drug companies couldn't make any money from treating homocysteine (it is treated basically with B-vitamins) it was for the most part ignored by mainstream medicine. Instead drug companies developed cholesterol lowering drugs and convinced physicians these medications are essential to treat heart disease and all types of hyperlipidemias. However, when researchers completed the human gene project and started relating gene defects to the manifestation of different diseases, the topic of homocystiene and other problems with methylation has resulted in renewed interest.
Problems with methylation can result in high homocysteine but also include a wide variety of metabolic problems that affect the body's ability to detoxify on a cellular level. These problems of detoxification have been associated with almost every chronic illness including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, immune system dysfunction such as autoimmune diseases, MS, irritable bowel disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, autism, neuropsychological problems, cognitive dysfunction, and Down's syndrome.
This gene defect is quite common. As much as 30% of the population (depending on their ethnic background) may be affected to varying degrees. It is called MTHFR which stands for methyl- tetra-hydro-folate reductase. The chemistry is complicated but people who have this gene defect have problems activating folic acid. Folic acid is used in multiple cell processes but it especially important for detoxification. Treatment for this defect is to take a special activated form of folic acid which is MTHF (methyl-tetra-hydo-folate) along with B-12 and B-6. Treatment for the MTHFR gene defect may also require glutathione and SAM-E. This will depend on the individual and this is where the chemistry gets more complex. However it has been said by experts that study this field that glutathione levels are low in almost every chronic illness. In fact it seems the sicker you are, the more you may need glutathione. It has been called "the Great Protector" and the "most powerful anti-oxidant".
In my practice I have seen treatment of MTHFR help many different health issues including dysfunctional uterine bleeding, anemia, GI problems, psoriasis, strokes, depression, diabetes, chronic fatigue, hypertension, hypothyroid, and more. There are affordable gene tests to see if you have the defect, tests to check glutathione and SAM-E levels, as well as comprehensive metabolic panels to figure out difficult to diagnose problems.
I recommend anyone who has a strong family history of any chronic illness be tested. Especially if family members were diagnosed before 50 years old. If parents have the defect of course children should be tested too. The sooner people are treated the better their health will be as they get older. It is hard to treat someone who is sick from 70 years of accumulated toxins. It's much easier to address the problems and reverse symptoms before symptoms are severe.
