Mental Health, MTHFR and Nutrient Suggestions

And these experiences are physiologically transmitted to our brain cells through neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Disruptions in the balance of these neurotransmitters has been associated with mental health.

The production of these neurotransmitters relies on the presence of bioidentical folate in the body, commonly referred to as methylfolate.

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 methylfolate amount to affect neurotransmission for most is 7.5mg - 15mg of L-Methylfolate. This is based on the "medical food", Deplin, which is specifically prescribed as an adjunct for depression. Deplin has clinical data demonstrating its effectiveness in improving depression. Deplin therapeutic doses of L-Methylfolate come in either 7.5mg or 15mg.

You may only be able to take half or less of the suggested amount, but that may be just right for you personally.

Dr. Neil Rawlins generally recommends his depressed patients who tolerate it, take 15 mg of methylfolate for up to 4 months before deciding if the treatment option is working or not. He also highly recommends boosting intracellular glutathione levels before and while taking methylfolate. This is optimally done through NAC / NACET or sublingual glutathione supplementation. Some folks respond quickly (within weeks) and others may take a full 4 months before they respond favorably to the higher therapeutic methylfolate doses.