Is MTHFR affecting your heart health?

Is MTHFR affecting your heart health?

Share This Post

23.3 million, that’s a big number!

by 2030 more than 23 million people will die annually from cardiovascular disease (CVD) (World Health Organisation)

imgres

Cardiovascular disease is already the number one cause of death globally, with more people dying annually from CVDs than from any other cause.

But what do we mean when we talk cardiovascular disease? Well, it’s an umbrella term, covering all diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including, but not limited to:

  • Coronary heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Heart failure/heart attack
  • Hypertension
  • Thromboses like DVT
  • High cholesterol

However, it is really important, to understand that heart disease is a problem of the vascular system, and that vascular health is largely about endothelial function – endothelial cells line the inner surface of our blood vessels.

At a biochemical level, the endothelial cells respond to a very simple signal telling them to either dilate (expand) or contract.

So where does MTHFR fit in?

There are a number of CVD risk factors, many in the main stream media every other day. These include:

  • Elevated cholesterol
  • Overweight and obesity
  • Limited/no exercise
  • Low fruit and vegetable intake
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Smoking

And…an MTHFR gene polymorphism

However, the MTHFR picture with CVD is not just about homocysteine levels. We have always thought of elevated homocysteine as being the biggest predictor of CVD but recent research suggests that it’s not directly related i.e. if you have high homocysteine it doesn’t just mean you will have a heart attack or stroke. However, it does have an indirect effect – through oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress causes free radicals, those nasty little things that go around our body wreaking havoc when they are allowed to! This ‘havoc’ includes the healthy function of the endothelial cells and ultimately, cardio health.

So, we can eat healthy food, exercise more, limit alcohol and do all of those things that we’re ‘told to do’, but what if there’s more?

Want to learn more?

Click here to watch the replay of our Cardiovascular Webinar.

Image 1: Source

Image 2: Source

Related Posts

Fertility

MTHFR and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Is there a link between Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and MTHFR gene mutations? Some women are unfortunate enough to have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS ...
Read More →
Coping with Christmas
MTHFR

Coping with Christmas

How to manage depression and anxiety over the festive season It’s supposed to be ‘the most wonderful time of the year’, but for many people ...
Read More →
Unmetabolized Folic Acid Is Detected in Nearly All Serum Samples from US Children, Adolescents, and Adults
MTHFR

Unmetabolized Folic Acid Is Detected in Nearly All Serum Samples from US Children, Adolescents, and Adults

AbstractBackground: Serum total folate consists mainly of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-methylTHF). Unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) may occur in persons consuming folic acid–fortified foods or supplements. Objectives: We describe serum 5-methylTHF ...
Read More →
Wild Caught Snapper with Wilted Greens
MTHFR

Wild Caught Snapper with Wilted Greens

INGREDIENTS: Serves 2 2 x 200 g (7 oz) wild-caught snapper fillets 10 g (2/5 oz) butter TERIYAKI GLAZE 60 ml (2 fl oz) tamari ...
Read More →
Blood Clotting
Conditions

Blood Clotting

What Is Blood Clotting? Some people are born with an increased tendency to form blood clots, which increases their risk for developing blood clots in ...
Read More →
Is MTHFR affecting your heart health?
Genes

Is MTHFR affecting your heart health?

23.3 million, that’s a big number! …by 2030 more than 23 million people will die annually from cardiovascular disease (CVD) (World Health Organisation) Cardiovascular disease ...
Read More →
Scroll to Top
Carolyn Ledowsky

Stay Connected!

Sign up for our monthly newsletter with current MTHFR research, health tips, recipes, special offers and news about upcoming events including Carolyn’s live Q&A.

Subscribe