44 replies to this topic

[hani]

5-MTHF aka l-methylfolate (trademarked as Metafolin or Deplin).

There seems to be a lack of popularity/threads for this supplement on Longecity, and considering it's importance for a large group of people, I thought I would make a thread dedicated for it.

I will put some important information I found on this site: http://mthfr.net/

So basically, some people have an MTHFR gene mutation:

The MTHFR gene is responsible for making a functional MTHFR enzyme. If the MTHFR gene is slightly altered (mutated), the MTHFR enzyme's shape becomes distorted. Enzyme function depends a lot on shape. It is similar to the grooves on a key. If the grooves on a key are slightly different than the lock, the key may fit and turn the lock a little but it does not unlock the door.

In heterozygous MTHFR mutations, only 0.000098% of the MTHFR gene is mutated. In homozygous MTHFR mutations, the value is basically the same.

The most common MTHFR gene mutations are found at position 677 and/or position 1298 on the MTHFR gene.

There are a lot of diseases that may be caused by this MTHFR gene mutation, in particular: depression, bipolar and schizophrenia. Here's a link for the full list:
http://mthfr.net/mth...use/2011/09/07/

People that have this mutation (MTHFR C677T) have difficulty processing folic acid to methylfolate:


By taking a methylfolate supplement, you're directly skipping the processing and giving your brain the end product.

How can you know if you have this mutation? 23andme.com is one way. I haven't done it myself because it's expensive to ship to Europe (100$ shipping cost), but I already ordered LEF L-methylfolate 1000mcg and will see if it helps.

Edited by hani, 21 May 2013 - 08:30 AM.

[therein]

I've had the 23andme test done. Do you know which SNP I should be looking for?

If it is Rs1801133 then I have the [C;T] mutation, which puts me into:

Homozygous rs1801133(T;T) individuals have ~30% of the expected MTHFR enzyme activity, and rs1801133(C;T) heterozygotes have ~65% activity, compared to the most common genotype, rs1801133(C;C). This reduced activity (i.e. this SNP) has been linked at least once to each of the following disorders (though not necessarily reproducibly):

autism
cancer, including
gastric cancer
lung cancer
head and neck cancer
cleft lip and cleft palate
coronary artery disease
depression
hyperhomocysteinemia
migraine
neural tube defects
pre-eclampsia (gestational hypertension)
schizophrenia
thrombosis


Awesome.

Edited by therein, 21 May 2013 - 06:18 PM.

[hani]

Yes, so I guess you might benefit from meythlfolate. Do you suffer from any condition?

[therein]

I'm diagnosed with ADHD-PI and even though not diagnosed, I'm pretty sure I have social anxiety and minor depression stemming from that.

[hani]

So I guess you can try taking a methyfolate supplement. The prescription drug Deplin has 7.5mg or 15mg, usually given in conjunction with antidepressants to make the effect stronger. I've read some accounts of people lower their AD dose up to 50% when they started deplin... I ordered LEF l-methylfolate, which only has 1000mcg. But to be honest, I don't know why deplin has such a high dose and whether such a dose is needed or not.

Edited by hani, 21 May 2013 - 07:50 PM.

[therein]

Where did you get it from?

[OpaqueMind]

Is there any danger in trying out this supplement if one doesn't have this gene variant, and if it delivered an appreciable effect would that necessarily indicate undermethylation? What is the prevalence of this mutation in the general population? Sorry, i'd search myself but I'm on a tiny smart phone :(

[hani]

http://www.iherb.com...ggie-Caps/38523 if you're from the US.

http://www.healthmon...h.tJendct2.dpbs if you're from EU/UK.

@OpaqueMInd
I don't think there's a risk involved. From what I've read, there's a link between synthetic (unmetabolized) folic acid and cancer but not L-methylfolate. The genetic defect is quite common from what I've read, up to 20% for certain ethnicities.

[owtsgmi]

If you have one of the 3 major MTHFR gene mutations you may also want to add NAC to this stack in order to boost glutathione production.

[1kgcoffee]

I started taking metafolin after testing positive for the MTHFR mutation and boy does it help. If you have any reason to suspect this condition, I recommend trying it.

[therein]

If you have one of the 3 major MTHFR gene mutations you may also want to add NAC to this stack in order to boost glutathione production.

I used to use NAC, now I'm taking a break. It was very effective in inducing mental clarity. Do you know which SNPs the other MTHFR gene mutations are?

[ta5]

Do you know which SNPs the other MTHFR gene mutations are?

Take a look at the sample report:
http://geneticgenie....alysis-example/

Run your own analyses:
http://geneticgenie....ation-analysis/

[therein]

Thanks. Doesn't look too good.

[owtsgmi]

Thanks. Doesn't look too good.

 

Actually, not bad for the MTHFR mutations. The "bad" ones are homo at C677T (++), homo at A1298C (++), and the combo of hetero C677T (+-)/hetero A1298C (+-). I have the latter of the three, but you only have a hetero at C677T. Now, you do have issues with your overactive COMT, which means you are metabolizing more dopamine than you should. If you feel you lack dopamine, you can try adding a COMT inhibitor to your stack, such as the quercetin/CILTEP stack.

Edited by owtsgmi, 23 May 2013 - 09:16 PM.

[ta5]

I sure wish I understood this better. I don't have MTHFR mutations specifically. But, I have a bunch of the others. Some day hopefully there will be more precise recommendations based on your genes.

[OpaqueMind]

According to this wiki article (http://en.m.wikipedi...evomefolic_acid), roughly 10% of people can't convert folic acid to this and a further 40% have some deficiency in doing so. That's roughly 50% of the population who could benefit from supplementation of this cheap chemical. Hopefully knowledge of this spreads and more people try it. My supply is on the way and should be with me in a few days.

[Metagene]

What is the best way to post my Methylation analysis results? I suck using chrome.

Edited by Metagene, 29 May 2013 - 05:55 PM.

[hani]

Why do you mean? You have a picture of the results you can upload or something?

[Metagene]

Why do you mean? You have a picture of the results you can upload or something?

Yeah I should have just taken a screen grab instead of copying HTML. I'm posting from my phone now so it will have to wait.

[golden1]

I had deplin prescribed, doubt I have a need for it though because all it did was make me after a couple days feel like I was restless, as in I had uncomfortable energy that I couldnt make use of that was just distracting and uncomfortable.

[therein]

I had deplin prescribed, doubt I have a need for it though because all it did was make me after a couple days feel like I was restless, as in I had uncomfortable energy that I couldnt make use of that was just distracting and uncomfortable.

How did you have it prescribed? Did you go to a psychiatrist?

[Ultravioletbllc]

this post is brilliant , exact reason I became a member here

[OpaqueMind]

Took a 1000mcg pill of this with coconut oil this morning. As I was walking down the street I started smiling for no reason, and felt a subtle fog lift from my thoughts. I have a strange feeling in my head, like the voltage has been increased ever so slightly. This is very promising.

It makes me wonder if almost all depressions are due to or begin with the seed of atypical physiology. How many needlessly suffer when the solution is simply so nearby? Well I'm getting a little bit ahead of myself here. But anyone who's ever experienced prolonged low moods should really try this out.

[therein]

It could definitely be an innate chemical imbalance crawling its way into the person's personality and leaving its mark as the person is growing up. I'll be ordering Life Extension's Optimized Folate and some Quercetin when I'm back at the US. I'll keep you guys posted!

[hani]

Took a 1000mcg pill of this with coconut oil this morning. As I was walking down the street I started smiling for no reason, and felt a subtle fog lift from my thoughts. I have a strange feeling in my head, like the voltage has been increased ever so slightly. This is very promising.

It makes me wonder if almost all depressions are due to or begin with the seed of atypical physiology. How many needlessly suffer when the solution is simply so nearby? Well I'm getting a little bit ahead of myself here. But anyone who's ever experienced prolonged low moods should really try this out.

Keep us updated. Mine should get here by Monday or Tuesday.

[Metagene]

So how does this look?

Edited by Metagene, 30 May 2013 - 08:06 PM.

[maxwatt]

You can search by the rsID numbers at promethease.com and get an explanation for the SNP's. most (but not all) of the heterologous SNPs are probably harmless. The Homologous marked +/+ you will need to pay special attention to.

[hani]

Seems good MTHFR wise, you have a hetero A1298C. I don't think it's a big deal.

[Metagene]

Seems good MTHFR wise, you have a hetero A1298C. I don't think it's a big deal.

That's good to know thanks.

You can search by the rsID numbers at promethease.com and get an explanation for the SNP's. most (but not all) of the heterologous SNPs are probably harmless. The Homologous marked +/+ you will need to pay special attention to.

Okay sure thing. I"ll check out my mums next.

[tunt01]

my genetic genie is pretty clean, but my bro (10 yrs of anti-depressants for him) is below. i see the hetero MTFHR, but am wondering about the COMT and others if anyone has thoughts