Hi Friends,
What if your body isn’t broken—it’s just biochemically misunderstood?
If you’ve been doing everything right but still feel tired, anxious, or foggy, the real issue might lie in your genetics.
I see this all the time in my practice—and in many cases, the missing link is a hidden genetic mutation called MTHFR.
This gene controls an enzyme that plays a critical role in your body’s ability to activate B vitamins—specifically folate (B9) and B12. It regulates a process called methylation, which affects everything from:
🧠 Brain neurotransmitters (like serotonin and dopamine)
🔄 Detoxification in the liver
💥 Hormone metabolism
🧬 DNA repair and inflammation
The problem? Nearly 50% of people carry one or more mutations in the MTHFR gene that may interfere with this process.
But here’s the good news:
You don’t need expensive genetic testing to find out if this is affecting you.
In my clinic, I often start by checking homocysteine—a simple blood test that provides major insight into your methylation function.
🔬 If your homocysteine is elevated (9 µmol/L or higher), it can indicate your body is struggling to clear this inflammatory amino acid.
🧠 High homocysteine has been linked to heart disease, stroke, dementia, and more.
✅ If your homocysteine is around 6, you’re likely methylating well — even if you do have a genetic variant.
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Symptoms Tied to Poor Methylation Include:
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Depression 😔
- Anxiety 😰
- ADHD
- Migraine Headaches 🤕
- High Blood Pressure
- Infertility
- Dementia 🧠
- Cancers 🦀
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Chemical Sensitivities ⚠️
✨ Here’s how you can support healthy methylation—no matter your genetics:
🥬 Eat more dark leafy greens like arugula, spinach, kale, and chard
✅ Methylated B Vitamins
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💊The Problem with Most Standard Vitamins
Most over-the-counter (OTC) vitamins use the cheapest and least bioavailable forms of B vitamins—namely folic acid (for B9) and cyanocobalamin (for B12). These forms require full MTHFR function to be converted into their active forms.
For someone with an MTHFR mutation, synthetic forms like folic acid and cyanocobalamin may not be efficiently converted into their active forms. This can lead to suboptimal methylation and, in some cases, unmetabolized folic acid may accumulate in the bloodstream, which has been associated with potential health concerns.
That’s why I always recommend the methylated forms:
✅ Methylfolate (active B9)
✅ Methylcobalamin (active B12)
These forms are already active and bypass the MTHFR enzyme—giving your body exactly what it needs.
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🔄 My Clinical Algorithm for Lowering Homocysteine
In patients with elevated homocysteine, I typically begin with either:
👉 Methyl B Complex– for broad-spectrum support
👉 Methyl B12 Tablet – very well tolerated even by those sensitive to B vitamins
If we don’t see homocysteine come down to optimal levels (around 6 µmol/L), I switch to:
👉 Methylation Support – which includes additional cofactors like trimethylglycine to more aggressively support methylation pathways.
Most people can also benefit from additional detoxification support—and that’s where Glutathione can make a big difference. As the body’s master antioxidant, it helps reduce oxidative stress and supports your liver’s detox pathways.
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💉 For our current patients, we also offer Methylcobalamin (B12) and Glutathione injections for even greater bioavailability—especially beneficial for those with gut issues or impaired absorption of oral supplements.
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And if you’re still wondering what MTHFR stands for (and no, it’s not a swear word 😅)… watch my video to find out! I also cover:
What the MTHFR gene actually does
How it affects your symptoms
The simplest ways to test and support your body
Dark leafy green vegetables are a natural source of folate to promote methylation. They also have magnesium, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin K and potassium.
Sautéed Chard:
Ingredients:
2 bunches of organic red chard, washed, and chopped
1/2 yellow onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tsp organic ghee
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
In a large pan on low-medium heat, heat the olive oil and add in the onions and garlic. Sauté for a few minutes until fragrant. Add the chopped chard, salt, pepper, and chicken broth. Cover and lower the heat to low. Cook for 5 minutes. Finish off the dish by stirring in 1 tsp of organic ghee.
Thank you for learning about the MTHFR gene—something many have never heard of, yet it could explain the fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, or hormonal struggles you’ve faced for years without clear answers. The truth is, your symptoms aren’t in your head. With the right support, like methylated B vitamins and nutrient-rich greens, you can optimize your methylation and begin to restore energy, clarity, and long-term health—starting at the cellular level.
Warm regards,
Rajsree Nambudripad, MD
Dr. Rajsree is a caring and compassionate physician, who is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Integrative/Holistic medicine. She is passionate about helping patients optimize their health through a preventative approach involving healthy lifestyle, dietary changes, targeted nutritional supplementation, and optimizing hormones. Her practice is unique in the personalized attention she devotes to each and every patient.
