Karen Reynolds Acupuncture

What are the recommended ages for the new Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine?

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The newest HPV Vaccine is now recommended for women and men up to 45 years of age. It is called GARDASIL 9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant).

In 2006 the first version of the Gardasil HPV vaccine was released. At that time, it was recommended for girls and women 11 to 26 years of age. Currently as of October 2018, the FDA is advocating broader age ranges and is urged for both men and women. The newer Gardasil-9 vaccine covers a total of 9 different types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). In comparison: the original Gardasil vaccine addressed only 4 types of HPV. 

What kinds of cancers does HPV cause?

Dr. Douglas R. Lowy, distinguised NIH researcher has devoted more than 30 years to the study of HPV and preventing the cancers which it causes.

The source is Dr. Douglas R. Lowy, MD. Dr. Lowy is an NIH distinguished researcher of the Center for Cancer Research in Bethesda, Maryland. For more than 30 years, he has focused studies on HPV. Each year approximately 500,000 women develop cervical cancer and 250,000 die from it.1

Cancers caused mainly by HPV

  • Malignant anogenital tumors
  • Anal carcinomas
  • Vulvar cancers
  • Vaginal cancers
  • Penile cancers
  • Oropharyngeal cancers ¾ of which are in men2

“Virtually all cases of cervical cancer are attributable to HPV infection.” 3

~Dr. Douglas R. Lowy, MD. (Chief of Laboratory Cellular Oncology & NIH distinguished researcher of the Center for Cancer Research in Bethesda, Maryland)

Tomorrow I am posting an expanded blog about HPV and this newest vaccine. Is this vaccine good for you or your children? Please visit my blog to help make a decision for yourself.

Thank you for reading! 

•Please leave any questions you may have here and I am happy to answer them. 

~Karen Reynolds, RN, MS, LAc

All content here is written personally by me in with the goal that it is be helpful to you. As long as you include the link for this blog entry to credit me as the author, it is fine to repost or share if you wish. 

Citations 1,2,& 3:
Lowy, D.R. (2016). HPV vaccination to prevent cervical cancer and other HPV-associated disease: from basic science to effective interventions. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 126(1), 5-11.

How do you prevent the spread of contagious infections?

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We are officially in cold and flu season. Do you get a yearly flu shot and/or regularly see an acupuncturist during cold and flu season? That is perfect to boost your immune system and keeps you safer from inevitable exposures. That being said, how do you prevent the spread of contagious infections? Beyond the common cold or flu, some people will develop more severe infections this season. Many such infections are very contagious. 

This blog helps you prevent the spread of highly contagious infections. Below are recommended precautions if you or a loved one is diagnosed with a highly contagious infection. I have noted the specific infection names below so you can keep them in mind.

You will see 3 transmission precaution categories for patients in hospitals or care facilities. 

Contact precautions

Contact Plus precautions

Droplet and Airborne precautions

Highly contagious infections like those noted in this blog can be transmitted by contact or in some instance can be airborne.
Handwashing and personal protective gear like gowns and gloves are required for Contact precaution infections.

Contact precautions are for:

  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
  • Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE)

MRSA and VRE need Contact precautions because they are spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or the patient’s environment. Therefore being in the same room with your loved one means you need safety precautions. These types of infections often occur after a hospitalization or while in skilled nursing facilities. 

What are Contact precautions?

Before entering the patient room:

  • Wash your hands with a sanitizing gel OR soap and water.
  • Put on a disposable gown over your clothing. (Remember to tie your gown securely.)
  • Put on gloves. (Pull gloves over your gown cuffs.)

When exiting the patient room:

  • Remove your gown first then gloves. (Pull gloves off so that they roll inside-out as you dispose of them.)
  • Wash your hands with a sanitizing gel OR soap and water.

Contact Plus precautions are for:

Handwashing before and after contact with individuals with contagious infections is key. See this article to determine additional recommendations for protective gear such as gloves and gown as well use of hand sanitizer.
Contact Plus precautions for infections such as Clostridium difficule and Norovirus require handwashing specifically with soap and water after contact with the patient. Hand sanitizer is not effective on spore forming agents.
  • Clostridium difficile (CDI)
  • Norovirus

Clostridium difficile (CDI) and Norovirus are also spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or the patient’s environment. However, with these infections, spores are shed by the body. Additionally, patient rooms and equipment need to be cleaned with sporicidal agents like bleach. Also: when you exit the room of a person with a virus requiring Contact Plus precautions, you must wash your hands with soap and water, not just sanitizing gel. 

What are Contact Plus precautions?

Before entering the patient room:

  • Wash your hands with a sanitizing gel OR soap and water.

Put on a disposable gown over your clothing. (Remember to tie gown securely.)

  • Put on gloves. (Pull gloves over your gown cuffs.)

When exiting the patient room:

  • Remove gown first then gloves. (Pull gloves off so that they roll inside- out as you dispose of them.)
  • Wash your hands with a soap and water, NOT sanitizing gel. 

Droplet precautions are for:

  • Bordetella Pertussis
  • Influenza virus
  • Neisseria meningitidis
General face masks are required for being near people with infections requiring Droplet precuations. This includes: Pertussis, Influenza, and N. Meningitis.
Infections, which are spread by droplets suspended in the air, require visitors to wear general masks to preven spread of infection.

Some pathogens like Pertussis, flu and Neisseria meningitidis cause coughing or runny nose. These infections can then be transmitted by droplets which hang in the air. Hand washing and wearing a simple mask creates a barrier to help prevent contracting illness. 

What are Droplet precautions?

Before entering the patient room:

  • Put on general face mask.

When exiting the patient room:

  • Remove mask.
  • Wash your hands with a sanitizing gel OR soap and water.

Airborne precautions are for:

  • Rubeola virus aka Measles
  • Varicella virus aka Chickenpox
  • Mycobacterium Turberculosis aka TB
Infections like Measles, Chickenpox and TB require Airborne precautions to prevent infecting others. This is because infected droplet materials can remain in the air over long distances. Specific N95 or PAPR face masks are recommended.
Specialized protective masks are needed for infections requiring Airborne anti-transmission precautions. These include N95 masks and/or PAPR masks.

You may notice that Airborne precautions are similar to Droplet precautions. However with Airborne precautions, you need face masks with advanced filtration. Airborne precautions are for infections in which droplets hang in the air and travel over very long distances. This is used for Measles, Chickenpox and TB. Loved ones who are hospitalized and require Airborne precautions will also be placed in special Airborne Infection Isolation Rooms (AIIR), aka negative pressure hospital rooms.

What are Airborne precautions?

Before entering the patient room:

  • Wash your hands with a sanitizing gel OR soap and water.
  • Family members typically wear N95 Respirator masks
  • Staff may wear a Powered Air Purifying Respirator mask (PAPR)

When exiting the patient room:

  • Remove N95 Respirator masks or Powered Air Purifying Respirator mask (PAPR)
  • Wash your hands with a sanitizing gel OR soap and water.

These are the infectious disease and currently recommended safety precautions for you. I hope that you and your family will remain happy and healthy this season. If your loved one does develop some of the specific infections discussed here, I hope this blog will be helpful to you.

Thank you for reading! Please leave any questions you may have here and I am happy to answer them. If you found this article helpful, I would appreciate liking my Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/KarenReynoldsLAc

All content here is written personally by me in with the goal that it is be helpful to you. As long as you include the link for this blog entry to credit me as the author, it is fine to repost or share if you wish. 

For scheduling information and appointment availability, do please visit my website at: https://kreynoldsacupuncture.com/

Breast Infections (Mastitis)~What You Can Do

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Are you postpartum or post-piercing and having breast redness or pain?

If so: you may be suffering from “mastitis”. Mastitis is a general term for breast infections. These can happen while breast feeding, but also can develop even in women who are not breast feeding. Some non-breast feeding related causes are: cracked skin of the nipples or when healing from nipple piercing. Skin breaks from dryness or trauma can allow bacteria to get into your milk ducts and wreak havoc.

beast infection mastitis

Are you having breast pain related to breast feeding or a piercing?

Common signs & symptoms of mastitis (breast infection)

  • Breast tenderness and warmth.
  • Classic wedge-shaped area of redness pointing toward the nipple.
  • Fatigue.
  • Body aches and flu-like symptoms.
  • Increased pain or burning during breast feeding.
  • Fever often 101 F or greater.

 

Specific causes of mastitis

Milk back up in your breast’s milk ducts is one mechanical reason for mastitis. This might happen if your baby favors one breast over the other or has some trouble with attaching. It may also occur if your baby is eating irregularly. With nursing challenges, you’ll find consultation with a lactation specialist helpful.

Other causes of mastitis can be bacterial infections. It is important to be examined by your MD to be certain a mastitis is not bacterial in nature.

Usual bacterial culprits:

staph MRSA

Bacterial causes of mastitis most often are from staphylococcus aureus or Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Staphylococcus aureus

or

Methicillin-Resistant

Staphylococcus

aureus (MRSA) (“mer-sa”).

Staphylococcus aureusis normally found on the skin and in nasal passages.

About 20% of the general population are carriers of Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA but have no symptoms. It can also be transmitted from your baby to you from the infant’s mucous membranes.

 

MRSA is typically found in institutions such as hospitals, gyms, schools, athletic facilities, military barracks etc. To get it, you usually have to come into direct contact with someone carrying MRSA. To survive, MRSA needs moist settings like your skin after a work-out or exercise. A nasal swab culture is the most common way of testing to see if you or someone you know is a MRSA carrier.

 

Things to do to help prevent staph infections

  • Shower routinely & immediately after exercise.

    MRSA staph infections

    Staph infections & MRSA are frequently found in gyms, schools, hospitals & crowded locations.

Various types of Stapholcoccus can enter the body through hair follicles. MRSA also can live on the skin. However if it’s only a short contact, it can be washed away. So: the sooner you shower after exercise the safer you keep yourself.

Keep sportswear, sports bags & equipment clean too. Regularly wash gear like elbow pads& knee pads.

 

  • Place silica gel packets in your gym and sports equipment bags.                 Silica packs enclosed in many types of shipping boxes are excellent to reuse by dropping them in the bottom of gym bag pockets. They will dry moisture and make it inhospitable for staph to grow. Do of course take care to keep gel packs away from small children.

 

Things you can do at the start of a suspected breast infection

Used at the earliest stages of discomfort, I have seen the options below be quite successful. However, I do want to stress that seeing your MD & taking antibiotics may be necessary if a mastitis is worsening. It can progress to what is called a breast abscess, which is far more serious condition.

If you are having rising fevers, increasing pain, thirst, or hard areas forming on your breast, it is best to seek medical attention.

Sometimes clients in my private acupuncture practice are very concerned that antibiotics will be disruptive to their baby’s bodies and to the necessary E-coli in their baby’s intestines. It is true: issues can occur after courses of antibiotics. However, the risk of a breast infection becoming widespread in your system is a substantial. Please keep in mind there is a time and place for medicines. The ultimate health of you and your baby is the prime factor so please discuss in detail with your doctor.

 

topical compresses for mastitis

Topical compresses can help reduce pain for breast infection/masititis

For an acute mastitis:

  • Get acupuncture and use topical Chinese herbal compresses/washes.    There are classical acupuncture protocols, used for thousands of years, which alleviate pain, improve circulation and help detoxify the breast. The treatments are quick, relaxing and relieve pain. (By the way: acu-points directly on the breast are NOT used.)

 

  • Get breast massage from an experienced practitioner such as a doula, a lactation specialist or birth educator. Proper massage will encourage your blocked ducts to open and relieve pain. Essential oils mixtures of lavender, tea tree, German chamomile, Roman chamomile, & thyme can be used during breast massage too. Consult an essential oils specialist for recommended amounts and carrier oils.

 

  • Sometimes women erroneously think they must stop breastfeeding if they develop mastitis. Usually this is not the case, but do consult with your MD if you have questions. In fact, continuing to breast feed and/or using a breast pump can help open congested ducts and ultimately ease the situation.

 

Topical remedies for acute mastitis

  • Apply cool cabbage leaves 

    to the breast. Leaves can be tucked into the cups of your brassiere.

  • Pain alleviating natural compresses for reddened breast areas 

Moisten the affected area with water. Sprinkle a small amount of papain extract (meat tenderizer) on the affected area.

Saturate a cloth in chilled vinegar. Hold cloth against the breast directly over the area to which the papain was applied.

Do not use this remedy on broken skin.

Do notapply this remedy to the nipple or aerolar area.

Only apply papain/compress to the red area, not the entire breast.

Cleanse the breast before breastfeeding.

Note: this remedy works exceedingly well for bee stings too.

 

I hope these options will be useful for you in the event that you are developing mastitis (breast infection)-like symptoms. Always consult with your doctor as well and never allow for symptoms, pain, or fevers to worsen.

Thank you for reading!

  • Please leave any questions you may have here and I am happy to answer them.
  • If you found this article helpful, I would appreciate liking my Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/KarenReynoldsLAc

All content here is written personally by me in with the goal that it is be helpful to you. As long as you include the link for this blog entry to credit me as the author, it is fine to repost or share if you wish.

 

For scheduling information and appointment availability, do please visit my website at: https://kreynoldsacupuncture.com/

Be well!

~Karen Reynolds, RN, MS, LAc

Statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. All information on this site is provided as education and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. No information on this site is intended to replace or delay the use of any conventional medical treatment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Antiphospholipid antibodies and miscarriage

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antiphospholipid antibodies and recurrent miscarriage

Antiphospholipid antibodies associate with blod clots & recurrent pregnancy loss.

Welcome back to my Autoimmune Fertility series. The topic of this blog is anti-phospholipid antibodies and miscarriage. Antiphospholipid antibodies are commonly abbreviated aPL in literature and on lab work. You will see this abbreviation as well as some others explained in this article. Could anti-phospholipid antibodies be affecting your ability to have a healthy pregnancy? Let’s discuss and you can consider for yourself.

Antibody quick review

Here is a quick review about antibodies in general. Antibodies are normal and needed parts of your immune system. They circulate in your blood stream and in body tissues to keep you healthy. Typically, antibodies seek out intruders or foreign substances. These intruders might be bacteria or viruses. In some cases, antibodies can attack your own tissues or in the case of pregnancy: the fetus. This is the nature of autoimmune problems: the body is attacking itself.

Antiphospholipid antibodies and miscarriage

 

The presence of Lupus anticoagulant, Anti-cardiolipin antibodies, and Anti-beta-2-glycoprotein I antibodies significantly increases risk of blood clotting and loss of pregnancy

Various types and levels of aPL in your system can contribute to repeated miscarriages.

Anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) are a specific type of antibody found often in women and men with autoimmune issues, such as Lupus erythematosus. Do keep in mind that persons without obvious disease processes can also have measureable amounts (known as titers in the blood stream) of aPL. Even experts do not know exactly aPL works in your body. However medical research recognizes that the presence of aPL, even in small amounts, is significantly associated with: blood clotting, pregnancy complications and pregnancy loss.1

Treatment success for antiphospholipid antibodies and miscarriage

Treatment enormously improves pregnancy outcomes in women with aPL. Eight research studies reviewed by the 14th International Congress on Antiphospholipid Antibodies found that treatment improved live birth rates by 71-83%.2 My next blog post this week will include most common conventional medicine as well as complimentary medicine treatment approaches. A healthy pregnancy and baby is the key point you. For my part: I strongly advocate testing especially if your history reflects patterns such as those below.3 Additional valuable information is available through local genetic counselors too. These are conversations well worth having with your health care team.

SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME

Blood clots

(aka Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT)

 Transitory ischemic attacks (TIA)
History of miscarriage Rashes with lacy or web-like patterns

(aka Livedo reticularis)
History of stillbirth Chronic headaches or migraines
High blood pressure in pregnancy

(aka Preeclampsia)

 Heart valve diseases
Stroke

Bleeding tendencies

(aka Thrombocytopenia)

 

What tests check for aPL?

Blood testing for aPL’s is available. Currently the 3 most clinically important aPL’s related to reproductive health are:

Lupus anticoagulant                                          (abbreviated as LA)

Anti-cardiolipin antibodies                             (abbreviated as aCL)

Anti-beta-2-glycoprotein I antibodies         (abbreviated as ß1GPI)

 

It is possible to have only one or two of the above types of aPL in your body or even all three present at the same time. It is recommended to have aPL blood work titers drawn and then redrawn again 12 weeks.4 This is because some brief infections are associated with false-positive results, especially with the aCL test. Please note: there are other types of aCL antibodies beyond those listed above. Tests are available for them as well. However, detailing them goes beyond the scope of this article. If you have further questions, do please leave me a message in the comments section.

 

This quote is taken from a 2016 extensive review of research in Reproduction journal:

“…there is growing acceptance that LA’s are strongly correlated with disease and that patients who are positive for all three aPL are the most risk of disease (Ruffatti et al. 2011, Galli 2012, Roggenbuck et al. 2012).” 5

 

Live birth outcomes increase by as much as 71-85% with treatment of aPL

Treatment of aPL significantly improves live birth outcomes

Pregnancy problems considered to be related to Anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL):

  • Recurrent spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) before week 10 of pregnancy.
  • Development of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (high blood pressure) before the 34th week of pregnancy.
  • Development of placental insufficiency before the 34th week of pregnancy.4

The good news is that both conventional medicine and complimentary medicine treatment drastically improves pregnancy outcomes for women with aPL. Stay tuned for my next blog which addresses both aspects of treatment.

 

Thank you for reading!

  • Please leave any questions you may have here and I am happy to answer them.
  • If you found this article helpful, I would appreciate liking my Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/KarenReynoldsLAc

 

All content here is written personally by me in with the goal that it is be helpful to you. As long as you include the link for this blog entry to credit me as the author, it is fine to repost or share if you wish.

 

For scheduling information and appointment availability, do please visit my website at: https://kreynoldsacupuncture.com/

Be well!

~Karen Reynolds, RN, MS, LAc

1De Jesus, G. R., Agmon-Levin, N., Andrade, C. A., Andreoli, L., Chighizola, C. B., Porter, T. F., Salmon, J., Silver, R. M., Tincani, A., & Branch, D. W. (2014). 14th International Congres on Antiphospholipid Antibodies Task Force Report on Obstetric Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Autoimmunity Reviews, 13, 795-813. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autrev.2014.02.0031568-9972/
2 IBID.
3 Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/antiphospholipid-syndrome/symptoms-causes/dxc-20307662
4 Pantham, P., Abrahams, V. M., Chamley, L. W. (2106). The role of anti-phospholipid antibodies in autoimmune reproductive failure. Reproduction, 151, R79-R90.
5 IBID.

Statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. All information on this site is provided as education and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. No information on this site is intended to replace or delay the use of any conventional medical treatment.

MTHFR Infertility & What You Can Do

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MTHFR genetic testing is recommended for histories of miscarriage, failed IVF cycles, and specific familial risk facotors

Learn here about when to consider MTHFR genetic testing.

MTHFR infertility: here are two challenges I frequently see in my acupuncture practice. Did you know your fertility can affected by an MTHFR gene mutation? How would you know? This blog helps you understand exactly that.

MTHFR infertility?

The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene is in charge of instructions for the body to convert folate to folic acid. This chemical process (called methylation) is crucial for the health of your brain, processing of toxic heavy metals, your hormone balance, your immune system and your cardiovascular system. MTHFR gene variances are more frequently found in women with infertility and are associated with fetal development issues.1  Some of those developmental and pregnancy problems include: miscarriage, blood clotting irregularities, autism, spina bifida, and Down’s syndrome.

 

Keep in mind: there are varying degrees of symptoms with genetic mutations. Some genetic abnormalities cause few problems and others create enormous health challenges. It is also now recognized that significant numbers of the human population carry MTHFR mutations.2

 

Take for example this quote from the immensely respected, Dr. Francis S. Collins. He is the former director of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Collins also directed the National Human Genome Research Institute and led the Human Genome Project to its successful completion.

MTHFR infertility: gene mutations impact fertility

MTHFR infertility: gene mutations impact fertility & are connected to miscarriage, blood clotting disorders and neural tube birth defects.

“…genes are generally not destiny, especially for common conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or cancer.” 3

If you know you do have gene mutation such as an MTHFR gene mutation, rather than worry, you can be proactive about your health and self-care choices. In my Corte Madera, CA private practice, I share this information daily with my acupuncture and fertility patients. It is absolutely possible to reduce risk factors and thereby help your body function at its best.

 

Should you get MTHFR gene testing? How do you decide?

As I discussed in the blog post previous to this one, if you have experienced multiple miscarriages, infertility, blood clotting or failed IVF cycles, you may want to consider MTHFR testing. It is also valuable to consider the health history of your family members. If there are members of your family who have had: heart attacks at an early age, a history of addictions, or a history of mental illness, these are indications to consider MTHFR testing. All of the above noted health issues are associated with what are called “methylation defects”. Methylation defects occur if the MTHFR gene is not functioning well.

What do the MTHFR letters & numbers on your lab results mean?

MTHFR infertility gene mutations vary in severity and impact on fertility.

Should you consider MTHFR gene mutation testing?

If you seek MTHFR genetic testing, you will find lots of terms with letter and number combinations on your lab result reports. The names of genes or locations on specific genes contain both letters and numbers. The names may reflect normal genes as well as what are called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP’s or “Snips”). SNP’s are a type of genetic mutation. Below you’ll see the more common MTHFR gene names and MTHFR gene mutation names.

 

MTHFR INFERTILITY:

GENES & MUTATION NAMES & WHAT THEY MEAN

 
MTHFR 677CC Normal MTHFR gene
MTHFR 677CT One base on the MTHFR gene is mutated

(aka heterozygous mutation)
MTHFR 677TT Both base pairs of the MTHFR gene are mutated

(aka homozygous mutation)
MTHFR 1298AA Normal MTHFR gene
MTHFR 1298AC One base on the MTHFR gene is mutated

(aka heterozygous mutation)
MTHFR 1298CC Both base pairs on the MTHFR gene are mutated

(aka homozygous mutation)
MTHFR 577CT & MTHFR 1298AC Both base pairs at 2 different positions on the MTHFR gene are mutated

(aka compound heterozygous mutation)

 

Science nerd information for inquiring minds

SNPs, or “snips,” refer to single nucleotide polymorphisms. They are modifications in the DNA building blocks of adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C).

An SNP is a difference in one of the building blocks above or a difference in the order of those building blocks. Most have no significant effect on health. However, some can actually predict things like response or tolerance to drugs, risks of developing illness, or sensitivity to toxins, etc. There is great scientific interest in logging and studying SNPs in order to improve medical care and fertility challenges.

 

Regarding MTHFR infertility:

MTHFR 677CT & MTHFR 1298AC are the most common MTHFR gene mutations

MTHFR 677CT mutations are associated with:

  • Cardiovascular problems,
  • High homocysteine levels,

    MTHFR infertility is associated with neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly

    MTHFR leads to methylation defects, which can impair the cardiovascular, immune & reproductive systems as well as contribute to mood disorders and addictions.

  • Stroke,
  • Migraines,
  • Neural tube defects (birth defects of the brain & spine such as spina bifida & anencephaly).

MTHFR 1298AC mutations are associated with:

  • Fibromyalgia,
  • IBS,
  • Fatigue,
  • Chronic pain,
  • Schizophrenia,
  • Mood related problems.

 

What about high homocysteine levels & MTHFR? What is the connection?

Some MTHFR gene mutations cause high levels of homocysteine in the body. This happens as a result of folate not being processed correctly. When homocysteine levels rise in your body, you have higher risks for stroke, high blood pressure, blood clotting and pulmonary embolus. If you are seeking to become pregnant, those are significant concerns. Recommended supplements to address the build-up of homocysteine include types of Vitamin B.

 There are so many kinds of Vitamin B. What kind of Vitamin B is best if you have a MTHFR gene mutation?

As for Vitamin B: methylfolate is considered a better choice as opposed to folic acid or folate. If you are reading labels, you will probably see folic acid and folate listed in products a lot. In part, this is because it is a cheaper form of Vitamin B for manufacturers to use. Secondly, folic acid and folate have also been the topic of more research studies as compared with methylfolate.

MTHFR infertility Specific MTHFR gene mutations require specific types of Vitamin B

What is the correct type of Vitamin B supplement for you if you have a MTHFR gene mutation?

Please note: individuals with MTHFR 677CT mutations do not process folate or folic acid well. It is best for them instead to take supplements with methylfolate. Methylfolate is an easily digestible form of Vitamin B. When methylfolate is listed on labels, it is called:

“L-methylfolate”, “5-MTHF” or “L-5-MTHF”.

Being that methylfolate is safe, is immediately and easily absorbed, and not radically more expensive, I do recommend it to my patients. It is good to carefully read product labels, especially if you have the MTHFR 677CT or MTHFR 677TT mutations. Even though some debate continues: methylfolate is safe for almost all people; so why risk it?

Below is a list of supplements recommended for most people who have MTHFR gene mutations. I am deliberately not listing dosages because it is always best to consider these supplements while under the care of a health care professional.

*Please always consult with your physician and licensed health care team before embarking on any new course of action.*

  • Methyfolate

Labels will read: L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolatemethylfolate, L-5-MTHF or L-5-MTHF.

**Please note some literature exists cautioning use of high dose L-methylfolate for individuals with a bipolar diagnosis. These persons tend to tolerate Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B6, and Magnesium as alternate methylfolate.**

Please see this article written by Dr. Ben Lynch, ND on supplements to support best absorption of methylfolate http://mthfr.net/preventing-methylfolate-side-effects/2014/11/26/

  • L-Methylfolate Calcium

    also known as Levomefolic acid and Metafolin

  • Active B12 Also known as holotranscobalamin

  • CoQ10

  • Vitamin D3 oral drops

  • Fish oils with EPA/DHA in triglyceride form.

  • Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Riboflavin has been found to lower blood pressure, specifically

     in patients with MTHFR 677TT gene mutation.5

Thank you for reading!

  • Please leave any questions you may have here and I am happy to answer them.
  • If you found this article helpful, I would appreciate liking my Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=karen%20reynolds%2C%20lac%2C%20rn%20acupuncture%20for%20optimal%20health

All content here is written personally by me in with the goal that it is be helpful to you. As long as you include the link for this blog entry to credit me as the author, it is fine to repost or share if you wish.

For scheduling information and appointment availability, do please visit my website at: https://kreynoldsacupuncture.com/

Be well!

~Karen Reynolds, RN, MS, LAc

 

1Reyes-Engel, A., Munoz, E., Gaitan, M.J., Fabre, E., Gallo, M., Dieguez, M., Ruiz, M., Morell, M. (2002). Implications on human fertility of the 677CàT and 1298AàC polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene: consequences of a possible genetic selection. MHR: Basic science of reproductive medicine, 8(10) October 2002, 952-957. https://doi.org/10.1093/molehr/8.10.952
2Wilson, C.P., McNulty, H., Ward, M., Strain, J.J., Trouton, T.G., Hoeft, B.A., Weber, P., Roos, F.F., Horigan, G., McAnena, L., Scott, J.M.  (2013).  Blood Pressure in Treated Hypertensive Individuals with the MTHFR 677TT Genotype is Responsive to Intervention with Riboflavin. Hypertension, 61, 1302-1308. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONHA.111.01047/-/DC1
3Collins, F.S.  (2010).  The Language of Life: DNA and the Revolution in Personalized Medicine. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.
4Wald, D.S., Law, M., Morris, J.K.  (2002). Homocysteine and cardiovascular disease: evidence on causality from a meta-analysis. British Medical Journal, 2002: 325:1202. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.325.7374.1202
5McNulty, H., Strain, J.J., Ward, M  (2014). Riboflavin lowers blood pressure in hypertensive people with MTHFR 677TT genotype. Hypertension, 72 Supplement 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/2049-3258-72-S1-K2

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