MTHFR and Supportive Nutrients for Cardiovascular Health

Dealing with homocysteine levels is important if you have an MTHFR genetic mutation or a family history of cardiovascular issues. If too high, homocysteine levels can cause serious damage to the heart and blood vessels (including increased risk of vascular occlusion [blockage of a blood vessel] and all-cause mortality). 

High homocysteine is also linked to low mood, migraines, cognitive decline, dementia and poor memory function.

Women with high homocysteine levels may have trouble getting pregnant and are at risk of recurrent miscarriage.

Consider taking bioidentical B12 forms in conjunction with L-Methylfolate because they work synergistically together in the body on the methylation pathway and can amplify its benefits. Stay AWAY from cyanocobalamin in supplements and fortified foods! Methyl-Life® carries affordable, vegan versions of active B12 in a tasty sublingual tablet (some products even include L-Methylfolate).

Bioidentical Active B12 Forms:

• Hydroxocobalamin - harder to find, expensive, typically well-tolerated and used for pernicious anemia among other things
• Methylcobalamin - fairly available and found in some supplements. Note: it's not always well tolerated
• Adenosylcobalamin - harder to find, expensive, the most well-tolerated and often used in muscle recovery

B12 does NOT absorb well via the gut, so be sure to get a product that allows you to dissolve the B12 under your tongue. Sublingual transport is the best way to get B12 absorption (research has proven it's even better than B12 injections for increasing B12 sufficiency). If B12 blood serum levels test "high", consider Methyl-Life®'s Non-Methylated Multivitamin.

Learn more about the best bioidentical B12 forms to take.

Consider getting your homocysteine levels checked by a healthcare practitioner. Lowering homocysteine levels may take additional nutrients and different dosing than what's suggested.

Start LOW with your initial dose and increase SLOWLY until you get to your targeted amount or reach tolerance.

The daily target amount for Cardiovascular Support is approximately 3 mg of L-Methylfolate. This is based on the Metanx prescription product usually prescribed for Diabetes (specifically helping to reduce homocysteine levels and improve peripheral neuropathy). Metanx contains 3 mg of L-Methylfolate and has clinical studies demonstrating improvement for neuropathy.

You may only be able to take half or less of the suggested amount, but that may be just right for you personally. Some people respond quickly (within weeks) and others may take a full 4 months before they respond favorably to the therapeutic methylfolate dosing.