Is your teenager experiencing normal teenage anxiety, depression, and moodiness or is there something to worry about? Genetics may be the underlying culprit for their abnormal behavior.
Depression is one of the top health problems among teens, yet only 20% of teenagers ever receive help for teen depression. Left untreated, teen depression can lead to problems at home and school, drug abuse, self-loathing, and even thoughts of suicide.
A growing body of research suggests that methylation gene defects (MTHFR) can play an important role in the susceptibility to depression. You may not have heard about MTHFR yet, but it is a major player in many aspects of physical and emotional health. MTHFR stands for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and it is an enzyme that is involved in folate metabolism. Folate is a general term for Vitamin B-9 that comes in many forms including folic acid, the synthetic version commonly found in supplements and processed foods. Folic acid and folate are normally transformed by the body into methyltetrahydrofolate (MTHF), which is the bioactive form of the B vitamin that your body needs for a variety of normal functions.
Unfortunately genetic variations in MTHFR are a big problem. Although the exact prevalence is not known, it is estimated that up to 40% of Caucasians have a mutation on one or more of the genes that normally produce the MTHFR enzyme, with varying frequencies in other populations. People who have an MTHFR variant are not able to process synthetic folic acid properly, and they have a limited capacity to make MTHF.
This genetic variance causes this key enzyme in the body to function at a lower than normal capacity. This often leads to a variety of medical conditions including bipolar disorder, behavior and learning disorders, ADHD/ADD, autism, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, autoimmune diseases, cancer, depression, high anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, perfectionism, panic disorder, addictions, PMS, chemical and food sensitivities, amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), infertility, hair loss, anemia, elevated blood sugar, high blood pressure, memory loss, violent behavior, hypothyroidism, skin rashes, headaches, insomnia, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), sensitive skin, spaciness, racing thoughts, arthritis, asthma, allergies, weight gain, weight loss, chronic infections, and so much more.
Activated folate, aka methyltetrahydrofolate (MTHF) is an important part of something called the methylation cycle. This metabolic cycle is involved in neurotransmitter production, detoxification processes, and the regulation of inflammation. Activated folate is also needed for appropriate cell growth, which is why deficiencies in folate can lead to anemia. Neurotransmitters are chemicals produced by the brain and nervous system that are used for communication throughout the body. These important chemical messengers include serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, and melatonin. Neurotransmitters have potent effects on mood, energy, sleep, digestion, muscle and nerve function, memory, and cognition.
Depression is not a Prozac or Wellbutrin deficiency; it’s a biochemistry and brain imbalance.
Making too much or not enough methyl impairs our ability to think clearly, have meaningful relationships, have a healthy body, and live a fulfilling life. In today’s world, methylation problems are commonplace due to food and environmental toxins, emotional trauma, genetic errors, and stress.
Persons who carry this gene variation tend to have low amounts of vitamin B-6, B-12, and folate. Low levels of both folate and vitamin B-12 have been found in studies of depressed patients. There are two predominate genes that affect MTHFR; these include the C677T gene mutation and the A1298C gene mutation. Some people are diagnosed with just one of the genes. Others are diagnosed with both, and this can make a big difference when it comes to depression.
Those who have only the C677T gene mutation can experience depression in several ways. This gene tends to have an indirect effect on the cause of depression through the inability to use important, essential nutrients. This is because folate metabolism is impaired, which sets up a chain reaction that leads to depression. Reduced folate metabolism is associated with a deficiency in folate. The brain and nerves need folate in order to function properly, and folate is needed for the utilization of certain amino acids required in the manufacture of neurotransmitters. This means those with C677T gene mutations can get depression. Further, the reduction in folate that causes a folate deficiency affects the homocysteine cycle. So folate is needed for supporting very important chemical reactions that protect and balance mental health. When this important cycle is disrupted, depression can easily result.
Those who have only the A1298C gene mutation can experience depression in a different way from those with the C677T gene mutation because those with the A1298C gene mutation experience a direct effect on the neurotransmitter pathway. They often have a reduced metabolism of important brain chemicals needed to prevent, reduce or eliminate depression. Serotonin is one of the major brain chemicals that keep us mentally healthy and happy — it is a natural antidepressant. Those with A1298C often don’t make enough serotonin, or the serotonin that they do make gets broken down too fast. Either way, depression is the result. Tryptophan, an amino acid, is also an important protein needed for making serotonin. This essential protein is also disrupted by the A1298C gene, further limiting the production of serotonin. Other amino acids such as phenylalanine, tyrosine, and arginine are also affected by the A1298C gene. Often people with the A1298C gene are found to have amino acid imbalances that cause their depression. This is because many amino acids play important roles in the production of neurotransmitters. Therefore testing for amino acid imbalances can be a great way to improve or even correct MTHFR-related depression with this gene problem.
While there is no simple fix for depression, patients who are chemically balanced tend to have better treatment results. A simple gene mutation could put your teen at a higher risk. Depression, fatigue, anxiety, and moodiness are all issues that stem from chemical imbalances resulting from one or all of the following factors: genetics, nutritional deficiencies, and environmental factors. If you suspect that your teen’s behavioral issues could be due to an MTHFR genetic variance, please test and get them on a path of healing.
We offer MTHFR genetic testing as well as micronutrient testing to test for amino acid imbalances at TLC Medical Centre Pharmacy. This is a simple blood test that can be performed conveniently at the pharmacy with our in-house phlebotomist. Please call to make your appointment for testing and consultation with our integrative and functional medicine pharmacist to help guide you on a path to a happier healthier life.
