[soccertese]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...522166664.html

[lurkingforacure]

Originally Posted by soccertese

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...522166664.html

I would recommend that everyone read this article AND the comments to it at the bottom. I followed one of the comments onto youtube where there are several videos about this and it sounds very, very promising. THIRTY percent of Americans have both of these genetic mutations and FORTY percent have a single mutation (677 and 1298)-rather huge.

We are going to get tested for this mutation. The videos I saw indicate that you can function OK with one or even both of the mutations on the MTHFR gene but when the stress level gets higher, the balance tips and until you give the cells what they need, the balance will never get restored (and as we all know, gets worse). Apparently this deficiency affects how much glutathione the body can make which directly impacts how much the body can detox. This also helps explain why more and more folks are getting dx'd with PD and at younger ages too.

I know someone complained in a comment to the WSJ article about the Deplin (Rx folic acid) costing $98.00 bucks a month but this is chump change to most of us paying for PD meds. I would love to pay $98.00 a month for pills that actually helped significantly. Compared to what we pay now for drugs that don't, that's a no brainer.

We'll white rat this and see how it goes, and report back. Thanks soccertease for posting this.

Oh, forgot to add that in one of the videos I saw, these mutations can cause thyroid issues....so many here have talked about having thyroid issues that this cannot be a coincidence...

[mrsD]

I looked around the net not long ago, and found a discussion on depression and Deplin. The posters on that blog did not find it helpful. There are studies suggesting it works for some, but the 4 or 5 people were adamant that it did not work for them.

It is pretty strong --7.5mg and in nature we don't consume that much at a time, and perhaps this is a problem?

It comes OTC by Solgar at 800mcg tablets. Less expensive.
http://www.iherb.com/Solgar-Folate-M...ets/13961?at=0

People who have that MTHFR polymorphism DNA mutation, really need this form of folate. They cannot methylate folic acid in the body properly.

Please don't take this if you are low in B12... as low B12 + folate can lead to more nerve damage. Either get tested for the B12 or take it anyway with any folate you supplement.
Methylcobalamin is best, is the active form, and only pennies a day.

[wordsmithy]

The MTHFR gene mutation is tested at 23 and me, where I would assume most of us have registered, since they offer free service to those with PD. I have the mutation -- which is most known for faulty methylation and elevated homocysteine (and hence coronary artery disease) and my doctor promptly gave me Thorne's OTC 5-MTHF 5 mg.

wordsmithy

[lurkingforacure]

Originally Posted by mrsD

I looked around the net not long ago, and found a discussion on depression and Deplin. The posters on that blog did not find it helpful. There are studies suggesting it works for some, but the 4 or 5 people were adamant that it did not work for them.

It is pretty strong --7.5mg and in nature we don't consume that much at a time, and perhaps this is a problem?

It comes OTC by Solgar at 800mcg tablets. Less expensive.
http://www.iherb.com/Solgar-Folate-M...ets/13961?at=0

People who have that MTHFR polymorphism DNA mutation, really need this form of folate. They cannot methylate folic acid in the body properly.

Please don't take this if you are low in B12... as low B12 + folate can lead to more nerve damage. Either get tested for the B12 or take it anyway with any folate you supplement.
Methylcobalamin is best, is the active form, and only pennies a day.

The article makes it sound like you can only get the bioavailable form Rx, but I followed your link and also googled it and there are many vitamin companies offering L-methyl folate OTC. Is this the same form as the Deplin, just at a reduced dosage (800mg)?

Is Iherb the best formulation of this to go with? We also supplement with methylcobalamin and I wonder if it should be taken at the same time as the L-methyl folate? This is where a background is chemistry would come in handy, as there seem to be many variations on a vitamin theme!

[mrsD]

Yes, you can take them together. Take that methylB12 on an empty stomach for best absorption.

There was a time when there were many OTCs. Then the Merck company (your favorite ) who holds the patent stopped selling it OTC. They wanted to confine to RX only. Metanx, Deplin and Cerefolin NAC.

But there was huge cry and complaint and I guess they didn't sell as much RX as they had hoped, and so then it trickled back.
Solgar was the first to get the new permission and permission to use the MetaFolin name. There is another the Autism community uses... Folapro. iherb.com is really affordable and has many hard to find items...and many of us have used them for years.

The problem with huge folate doses, seems to be beyond the MTHFR problem. The alternative doctors have theories about methylation issues, high histamine etc. And too much folate, seems to affect these. I myself get really edgy on too much folate. So I don't use it much any more for that reason.

This is discussed here.
http://www.alternativementalhealth.c...s/pfeiffer.htm
But not all doctors agree with these theories.

I'd start at the 800mcg dose daily for a while..say 2 weeks and see how you feel. If you feel ok, raise to 2 tablets. But be aware that there are some studies coming out with HIGH folate being a cancer flamer. Some young women taking 5mg a day for pregnancy and fetal issues have developed colon cancer. So if you search this subject you will find warnings and pros and cons of high dose folate.