MTHFR gene and Schizophrenia

[link to www.schizophreniaoptions.com]

Time to stock up on fat soluble B-vitamins.

The enzyme 5,10-Methylene Tetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) converts inactive folate to its active form, namely 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate, or MethyFolate.

Many Schizophrenics have defective forms of this enzyme and as a result have low folate levels. The form of folate that crosses the blood-brain barrier is methyl-folate. Supplementation with methyl-folate seemed to relieve the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

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"Many individuals with schizophrenia have deficits in metabolism related to methylation, a metabolic process involving carbon donation. This issues stem from multiple interrelated risk factors involving Cobalamine (B12), Folic Acid (Folate) and Pyridoxine (B6) and the enzymes that interact with these vitamins.

Specifically, low folate levels, high homocysteine levels, and poor folate activation genetics are common in schizophrenia, and these issues appear to confer significant increased risk for development and maintenance of the disorder. While these deficits occur for a variety of reasons, research has shown that supplementation can correct some aspects of this problem and directly improve symptoms in many individuals."

Last Edited by MarPep on 07/01/2015 09:33 PM