Methylation Cofactors Check

Certain MTHFR gene defects can impair methylation which is the process responsible for making, maintaining and repairing DNA. The vitamins B12 and folate play important roles in methylation, and deficiencies can slow down MTHFR enzyme activity. Methylation is the process where nutrients called ‘methyl donors’ are added to our gene markers and proteins to keep them active. Vitamins B12 and folate play important roles in this process. Testing of the cofactors Methylmalonic acid (MMA) and Formiminoglutamic acid (FIGLU) is more effective than measuring the levels of the B vitamins themselves - this is because impaired methylation can cause these vitamins to build up in the blood where they are measured, but the vitamins can't get into the cells where they are needed. Understanding your B vitamin levels are especially important if you have elevated homocysteine levels. Elevated homocysteine is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is a multifactorial condition with genetic and environmental factors involved, and can often be managed providing there are sufficient B vitamins.