Hi there, ready to tweak your diet?
I’m going to talk about…
MTHFR Diet Restrictions
You’ve probably heard a lot about MTHFR gene mutations and how they can make you more susceptible to various health problems.
But, having this gene mutation doesn’t mean you’re out of options…
There’s a lot you can do to protect your health and prevent health complications.
Diet modifications play a huge role here.
Avoid Folic Acid
Wait a minute, isn’t folic acid supposed to be good for us?
And now you’re telling me I have to ditch it?
These questions are probably on your mind at the moment, but the explanation is simple.
You see, folic acid is a synthetic form of folate.
And folate is vitamin B9 actually.
Most people get enough folate from the diet, pregnant women and those who want to conceive are advised to take folic acid.
Some people take dietary supplements and other products that also contain folic acid.
Since folic acid is good for our health, why is it on the MTHFR diet restrictions list?
People with MTHFR gene mutation experience difficulties to convert folic acid into its usable form.
As a result, the symptoms of your health problem can worsen.
If you have MTHFR mutation and also take folic acid supplements, you should switch to folate-rich foods instead.
Yes, you can eat foods rich in folate, but not take products and foods containing its synthetic form.
Consult your doctor if you take folic acid supplements.
Also, you should go through other supplements you’re taking to check whether they also contain folic acid.
If so, you should stop using them.
Speaking of folate-rich food options are endless e.g.
- Dark green leafy vegetables
- Peanuts
- Whole grains
- Seafood
- Fresh fruits
- Sunflower seeds etc.
Avoid Processed Foods
Processed foods are everywhere.
They’re cheap, easy to prepare, and most people find them delicious…
But, despite their convenient nature, these foods are bad for us.
Their effects go beyond weight gain and increased risk of many health conditions…
If you have MTHFR gene mutation, you should stay away from these foods because they may also contain folic acid.
That way, you would end up eating folic acid without even realizing it.
Sometimes folic acid is added to pasta, cereals, bread, and commercially produced flours to enrich them.
It can also be found in other processed goods.
It’s also useful to mention that processed foods aren’t nutritious.
Consumption of these foods doesn’t allow you to supply the body with nutrients it really needs, including vitamin B12.
No Alcohol
Alcohol is bad for us in many ways, but you probably didn’t expect it among MTHFR diet restrictions.
Consumption of alcohol can worsen your symptoms.
Why?
That happens because alcohol can impair DNA methylation.
You see, DNA methylation plays a critical role in gene activity.
When you drink alcohol, you impair this activity, which only enhances the effects of mutation you experience.
Plus, there are so many other, better, more delicious beverages you can drink.
Don’t Eat The Wrong Animal-Based Products
Processed animal-based products such as meats should be out of your menu.
If you simply can’t resist meat, you should opt for hormone-free, grass-fed meats.
You can also go for hormone-free and grass-fed ghee and organic, free-range eggs.
Why is this so important?
That way, your body can obtain all the much-needed nutrients for proper function.
The symptoms won’t worsen because there are no harmful substances that would trigger them.
Do I Have To Make MTHFR Diet Restrictions?
To avoid health problems associated with MTHFR gene mutation, you need to take care of your health.
This includes changing your diet and exercising more…
You should also manage stress, get enough sleep…
But let’s get back to diet restrictions; they’re not here for the sake of it.
By avoiding the above-mentioned foods and nutrients, you can avoid experiencing a worsening of the symptoms.
You can also protect your health and quality of life.
So there you have it…
In this post, I wanted to shed light on MTHFR diet restrictions!
Certain nutrients, such as folic acid, can worsen your symptoms, and it’s so easy to avoid this problem.
If you have a mutation of this gene, try to follow recommendations from this post, and you’ll feel much better.
Share MTHFR diet restrictions with your friends, especially if they have a mutation of this gene too.