Carrying a little holiday weight? What I'm really more interested in is what you do with the rest of the year to build fertility!

Right now we may be feeling a little guilty over the excesses of the Christmas period and thinking ‘ I ate so much between Christmas and New Year,  I’ve got to do something about it now 2015 is here’

While I always promote healthy eating, a few days out of 365 days isn't going to hurt your fertility if you indulge. Hey you’re not alone there, after 4 days at Heap headquarters with my Mum, Dad and the rest of the Heapsters, I am also ‘carrying a little holiday weight’ and as I track my cycle things have gone a little haywire there too, as I've stayed up late chatting and laughing with the family and popping a few chocolate nuts along the way! 

( I'm also now suffering as I have the dreaded lurgi which has lingered on from the 28^th until today!) The difference is, I know that it's normal to put weight on and feel a bit off colour as we wind down from the manic year, and I'm not beating myself up about it. My sister said to me only this morning ‘ who doesn't put a bit of weight on over this time period, if you don’t you are just plain weird!'

Yes, you may like me be a few pounds heavier, but once you resume healthy eating and exercise those couple of pounds you put on over Xmas will be gone with a few weeks of healthy eating and exercise.  And don’t forget if you have been good most of the year your system will be back to normal after a few weeks.

What I'm really more interested in is what you do with the rest of the year. Don't focus on a few days, when in fact you should be focussing on the other 360 days of the rest of year. If you can eat healthy and exercise 80% of the time, you are doing well. If you do it 90% of the time, you are doing fantastic. If you do it 100% of the time…… you need to get a life and live a little ….  (hey we are all human and we need a bit of structure but not so much it strangles us!)

Remember the time you spent with loved ones over the Christmas/New Year period? This time is all about enjoying yourself and removing the stresses as much as you can and ‘ gratitude’ for what’s good in your life and trying hard not to focus on the fact that 2014 didn't bring you that longed for baby. 2015 is a whole new year full of possibilities! I wrote a post about this in December too! 

Its estimated that people only keep their new years resolutions for up to ten days after the new year. Many of the reasons behind this are that people set themselves really unrealistic goals which can become a millstone round your neck. I would say I have been honored to be part of some amazing support groups for fertlity  the tail end of 2014 such as ' Your Fertility Support Group; https://www.facebook.com/groups/Yourfertilitysupportgroup/ and PCOS Fertility Suport UK https://www.facebook.com/groups/PCOSfertilitysupportUK/ However what has really hit home to me when I delve in and give advice is that when it comes to diet people really don't see the connection with low nutrient food in and deficiencies occuring; and how hormone balancing can really happen if you put the right fuel in the tank to build them correctly. What I also saw was that people are really confused and many rely on advice via lay people, where something has worked for their online friend,  as well as advice from colleagues and then there is always Dr Google!

Here’s a great New Years resolution to add to yours that is really simple. There is so much out there,  try not to confuse yourself with everything under the sun around improving fertility and focus on a few people you like and trust either on the internet or directly. I’d love to be part of your ‘ trusted source’. Most practitioners will offer a free chat to get to know each other, and after that its your choice to take things further!

I'm doing just that at the moment myself, as well as doing my annual calculation on success rates and I had a 63% pregnancy rate this year on the clients I saw, including 2 gorgeous twins  (one pictured below). Hooray! 

Here’s a recent interview I did with the lovely Kate Davies Fertility Coach for Your Fertility Journey to give you a flavour of how I work 

http://yourfertilityjourney.com/interview-fertilitynutritionaltherapist/

I'd love to hear from you to help you plan and take forward a personal food and supplement programme thats unique to your circumstances. I'd be delighted to have a chat, whether over skype of if you are based in the UK and want to do a' face to face' I'd love to see you in London in my clinic. You can reach me via the email below.

In the meantime I hope you are having a lovely break and are all charged up with fabulous realistic resolutions for 2015 and some great next steps to take in your fertility journey after the holidays.

With much love

http://www.fertileground-nutrition.com
angela@fertileground-nutrition.com
Fertility Nutritionist, NT, mBANT

Start a Gratitude Jar in 2015

If you are on Facebook, you may have seen something that is popping up called ' This is my year'.

Its a great idea to think back to the amazing things and people who have touched your life in the last year. I have made my own version and I would love it if you could join me in this new tradition for 2015.

When we are on your own personal Fertility journey, you live each month from ovulation to pregnancy test and it’s a harrowing one, not just of you but also for your nearest and dearests.  Life almost standstill  and months and even years can seem like a blur of monthly cycles from birthdays to Christmas’s, in an endless carousel.

I know you all think, ‘ hey its alight for you Angela, you aren’t in the same situation as me, waiting and longing for that baby that never comes, but we all suffer from the ‘ Never Enough Syndrome’  

Sometimes I wake up and my first thought is 'I worked too late last night and I didn’t get enough sleep'. I get to the kitchen, open my fridge and realise I don’t have enough veg for my breakfast. I get showered and feel a momentary happiness as the water cleans and cleanses. Then I get to my desk and sigh as I look at my to-do list is as long as my arm and it means another 12am day. Then I go out and I miss the bus….I’m late to my first appointment and the lady I’m seeing is of the same negative thought pattern and I get met with ‘ Angela can changing my diet and having these supplements really help me to get my  baby in my arms?.. as its just me and my husband at the moment and I’m sad to say I don’t think this is enough for me’.

The Never Enough syndrome

As human beings, we spend our lives ‘ being’ something and focusing on the past and future, that we miss the present. We move from one moment to the next moment so fast, that we forget to appreciate the moments where life changes in a whisper; kind words from a stranger on the underground that can make you smile, the fantastic meals that are made for us to ‘cheer us up’ by family members friends and other halves. Or presents around Christmas  to try and help you to remember how life used to be to take your mind off the conveyer belt of ‘ babymaking’  before it all started.  A self-defeating cycle that will always ends with the same conclusion: We are lacking. We never have enough. We  are never enough.

Here’s the answer to the Never Enough Problem: Gratitude.

Gratitude will remind you that you have enough and that you are enough and it can help you to fill the time in between the happy moment when you do get a BFP ( Big Fat Positive)!

I created a Gratitude jar in January 2014. I took some advice from Sarah Holland which I'm really excited to look through on the 31st of December. I’m not sure where she got it from, but its genius!

It’s a fabulous way of reminding us to flip the negative to the positive in all our lives.

I don’t add something every day, but sometimes I do updates several times daily. I write down what I am grateful for and add these "Gratitude Notes" to my own jar that sits behind family photos and my bookcase of favourite books.

Something about being British and Irish decent means you are almost programmed in your DNA to be a little cynical, negative or suspicious – however since starting the gratitude jar something in me has shifted. I no longer feel like I am inadequate from the food I have available in my fridge, to the activities and appointments I have during the day, no matter what sadness I may have in front of me with clients stories.  I am grateful. From the  sunrise and beautiful blue winter sky, to the amazing summer we had, to the fabulous friends and support I have on a daily basis, to a kiss blown to me by a busker in the street! And I record it as I have a brain like a sieve as some of you may know! Sadly the big ones are colour coded! 

I implore you to try it! Appreciate yourself for your strengths and your imperfections as this is what sets you apart as a good human being and an amazing one. This will allow you to find a sense of belonging and to feel more connected to life.

A Gratitude Jar reminds you that life is full of wonderful things to be grateful for and with the jar being either half full or empty you will have the strength and support to overcome anything! Particularly if you are having a crappy day. Best thing for it is to write 3 things down you are grateful for daily if you have a bad day, and if this doesn’t do it.. empty out the jar from the previous scribbles and read all the things you have added so far! I guarantee you will feel better after 20 mins!

Starting it is the easy thing… like anything including being healthy  and eating the right amount of protein and 7-10 veggies a day. It takes practice and setting this up as a routine is the first step which you then need to nurture like fertile ground! And as you do this it will yield an appreciation for life and for yourself.

What I really loved this year that I saw on FB was The Journey of Purpose. A video put together from an inspiring speech Jim Carrey made at Maharishi University. Powerful stuff and I came back to it lots of times last year to remind me to live in the moment, not the past. One quote really got me and its one I am taking forward to 2015 is "As far as I can tell, it's just about letting the universe know what you want, and working toward it, while letting go of how it comes to pass." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJD5-R_HPCc

Gratitude Jar Ingredients

·         1 jar

·         Paper for writing Gratitude Notes on

·         Gratitude

·         Time

Are you getting enough protein to build yourself a baby?

One thing I always seem to do at the start of seeing new clients is always get a food diary. I don’t know what it is, but women in particular always seem to be lacking in protein when we work through their daily food intake. I know its all about veg and protein, but what’s this all about? Possibly that they have forgotten the vital part protein plays in ensuring life and also the importance of this in the preconception diet to give the body the signals that there is enough ‘fuel’ to maintain a new life and sustain hormonal health too! Men on the other hand are all too happy to be given my recipes which contain more meat, beans and legumes ( although to be fair sometimes the legumes make them a bit more unsociable if not told how to properly prepare them!!)

In order to perform as a human being it is vital that we gain ‘fuel’ to sustain life. I’m sure you read all about this in biology at school, but as a trip down memory lane, here is a bit about why we need protein.

The Word protein was coined by a Dutch chemist in 1833 and comes from the Greek word ‘Protos’ which means of prime importance. After water the body is primarily made up of protein. Protein is used by the body to build, repair and for growth of new tissue and  to maintain muscle.  Protein is made up of amino acids or the building blocks. There are approximately 20, of these 9 are considered essential, as they cannot be made by the body and therefore must be supplied by diet.

If you don’t have adequate protein, your body will begin to break down its tissue.

Our bodies are in a constant state of building up and breaking down tissue and to do this they need protein. There are many thousands of combinations of amino acids needed to perform the necessary ‘transfers’ in the body for tissue and neurotransmitters which all require sequences that are very different from the amino acid needed to complete this process.

According to loads of nutrition textbooks healthy people should have at least 0.8g of protein a day per body weight. This is particularly important for those trying to get pregnant, as hormones are made up largely of protein!

Unfortunately this calculation isn’t accurate for everyone as we all have different levels of activity, stress in our life and we also have to be careful of acidity of the protein! If you are deficient I would recommend upping this to 1.2 – 1.8g per body weight. However if you have inflammation in the body as seen on blood tests in high amounts of C-reactive protein, in this instance excess protein will be harmful to the liver.

Another important thing to consider is -  what kind of protein are you having? You always need to consume the highest amount of bioavailable protein with the full package of amino acids.  Nutritional Scientists will rate this using a scale called the Protein- Energy Ration. (PER) and Biological Value (BV) ratings of proteins, which measure how well the body utilizes amino acids in a protein. Here’s how the main proteins rate (from highest to lowest) by how well they are utilized in the body.

·         Whey protein

·         Egg white

·         Fish

·         Dairy products

·         Chicken

·         Beef

·         Legumes (e.g., beans, lentils)

For me Whey is out, as its just so mucus forming and lots of people lose the enzyme to digest this past 3 years of age, I do however like raw prepared and fermented kefir and I'm really starting to become obsessed about fermented food ( more about this in later posts)

However  - Top of my list is always Eggs! At least 2 daily, and if lacto ovo veggie 3-4 daily.

Cold water fish, great, but with caution large fishes build up heavy metals in their tissue so only go for wild caught or in non polluted areas.

Chicken, quite a substantial amount of protein! So please add this also but make sure its free range and organic.

Grass fed and organic red meat, such as lamb and beef and buffalo at least once weekly

Beans and Legumes – and make sure these are produced organically! Huge amounts of folate, prepare by popping a piece of seaweed in the pot while cooking t absorb the gas. Also pre-soak and rinse a few times.

Other forms of ‘protein’

I don’t like soya at all, i'm sure you have heard me banging on about this! – unfortunately this is creeping into the UK quite rapidly, and many with dairy intolerances are having this as an alternative to lactose! Also it is used almost without a thought by a lot of vegetarians in some form as it has been touted as a ‘ health food’  and is a source of protein. Soya can have a very strong effect on your thyroid disrupting vital hormones here and disturbing fertility. Soya is also a low sulphur based amino acid, and sulphur is the compound that is vital for glutathione to get a kick start, and support your methylation cycle, which is one of the most important things that happens in the body billions of times a second in order to survive and replicate our own DNA. Glutathione is one of the most important substances in this process as it helps with detoxification, so is the ‘ cleaner’ so to speak and gets rid of excess nasties in the body and is a major antioxidant. Other proteins do have sulphur bases, and most meat has the complete package! Soya is also not a good choice for sperm health as it has been cited as reducing count in some studies, and is very detrimental as a whole, so if you are using soya, as milk substitute or to increase protein as a veggie or vegan, consider the other options of hemp, beans and legumes instead.

Do vegans get enough protein and is this a wise choice to follow for preconception and pregnancy?

Speaking of vegans, this is one group that eat and have a fantastic knowledge of food combining and in my experience have the basic foundations for an excellent diet! However as much of what they eat is lacking in B12 deficiencies can build up, so its wise to always take a B12 supplement such as Methylcobalamin ( low dose, to begin with) It sounds factitious to say this but the level of veggies vegans eat is enviable, however – the proteins to help sustain the metabolic processes in the body are incomplete and over time this may pose health issues. Thankfully many do keep an eye on the protein levels they eat, and also if you are vegan, its worth going for regular vitamin and mineral blood tests as well as having regular Full blood counts to see if inflammation is setting in.

Personally I recommend a diet from a paleo perspective, with a mixture of animal and vegetable protein but modified depending on your circumstances where you may have more need for it during times of stress or illness and heavy exercise. Pregnancy is a time where you need less protein as the liver and kidneys are under a tremendous amount of stress hormonally. At different times of your life will have more need for certain things and a balance ratio of carbs to protein based on your situation.

I'm not about ‘ one size fits all’ as your genetics will also play into this and if you have MTHFR and other mutations expressing your need for folate will be huge and the diet will need to reflect this ( beans and legumes must be had here until coming our your ears!). Some may also may have compromised digestive systems and need digestive enzymes to help them to break the food down in order to optimize absorption of the amino acids in the protein. As I always say everyone is a snowflake, and your level of protein needs to be a safe 50g as a woman ( if average weight and not overweight  and 60g as a man in a similar situation. To be safe try the calculation mentioned above 0.8x kg weight and start off at a lower amount I mentioned and build up to your level. If you find this is too much, you may have weaker kidneys and anything more than that may be too much for your kidneys to process. However you need to try this and see how you get on with it before throwing higher protein away as a lifestyle and preconception model suggestion!

Are your Genes Blocking Your Fertility?

Hi lovely people.

I'm just winding down from a manic day in Fertile Ground Nutrition HQ. 

I launched my new website, http://fertileground-nutrition.com/ and talked for around 45 minutes about Genes and their effect on Fertility at the amazing Fertility Focus Summit http://www.fertilityfocustelesummit.com/ 

I'm still buzzing from the day and I've already had so many people sign up to the free guide I have produced on my website and I've also had a few queries already!

My talk was almost at the end of such an amazing week with so many fabulous experts all talking about fertility!  If you missed any of the talks including mine - the upgrade to this is such a reasonable price and includes a massive array of Fertility specialist all under one event so to speak. 

Sarah Holland has done such an amazing job this year! (To be fair she does an amazing job every year and as this is the 5th year running she pushed the boat out with some really interesting speakers for the 2014 line up) 

I spoke to her at around 6pm this evening as, as usual I was a little excited and needed some last minute info about the talk around the logistics ( well prepared as usual - dyslexic bird!) and while we were talking, she had unloaded the dishwasher, was feeding the baby and her eldest son and was preparing for the evening ahead, as she also had her talk that evening!! I left the call feeling a bit in awe! Which put me in a bit more of a clear and present place - that girl was destined to be an EFT guru! My talk went ahead without a glitch, which she assured me it would! I'm now unwinding and took her advice to chill out and relax afterwards and in a sec I'm taking my tired behind off to bed! 

Lots of love

Angela x

AMH Is it all that?

New studies published in the Journal Nature in 2004 led by Jonathan Tilly at the Vincent Centre
of Reproductive Technology in Boston indicate that women may actually regenerate their eggs each month and we may in fact be born with the ability to produce newbie eggs on demand! This is contrary to what we are led to believe and are told when past 30.

As a woman on a quest for a baby I'm sure you are no stranger to that good old chestnut ' You are born with millions of eggs that are literally withering and dying every year past 25’ and my personal favourite ' Why did you leave it so long to try'. Which is always the first thing on a 25 year old womans mind with a mature man at her side and in a career that is paying the mortgage nicely! Sarcasm aside women are amazing and with all that is going on outside and inside the cave its a huge relief we make it through the day sometimes! If you need some inspiration on this watch Dr Libby Weaver on TED Australia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ0SME6Z9rw  

Anyway back to AMH...
When you look inside an ovary you will only see follicles not an egg. They are far too small at the early stages and haven't grown sufficiently to predict overall fertility. It is only by following a woman's ability to produce an egg through careful consideration over a couple of months that will we know if she really is fertile or in fact heading to menopause. However this would be a costly affair involving multiple blood tests, scanning and invasive procedures and unless you are the owner of a clinic this is probably not the cheapest of routes!

In 2002-2004 a new tool in town to help assess fertility came about in the form of Anti- Mullerian Hormone (AMH). This was a simple test and it promised to hold the answers and indicate if our egg reserve was low or high.  Ovarian reserve its a term used to indicate the amount and number of oocytes ( eggs) and also their quality.

As I mentioned above, when women are born they have over a million primordial follicles, which are largely dormant until they are triggered into action by puberty. As a woman gets older these primordial follicles are then pulled into the growing follicle pool, to be used as part of the woman's cycle and given the right chemical markers over the month are grown to maturation.  

As she grows older, less of the primordial follicles are pulled into the growing follicle pool. AMH is the substance given off by the growing follicle pool and is thought to also predict the primordial follicle pool also.

According to the Journal of the Society for Reproduction and Fertility in the Netherlands: ‘…Direct measurement of egg from the primordial follicle pool is impossible.’ 

http://soft-infertility.ca/blog/anti-mullerian-hormone-ovarian-reserve/

When I looked into this further, I wasn't convinced about the science behind it!
According to another study I found low AMH is not an overall measurement of reproductive function. In this study in question overweight and obese women with PCOS and reproductive dysfunction were studied as part of a 20-week weight loss intervention. This resulted in improvements in reproductive function but no change in AMH levels.In this case when reproductive function improves AMH being tied to this should improve also, however this is not the case. 

I think AMH may be a good indicator together with detailed blood analysis that something isn't right hormonally, but should not be used as the only indication of whether a woman can conceive or not. I also feel we have a lot to learn when it comes to analysing AMH hormone which will unfold in years to come and maybe use it in a much less cruder fashion. Using it to predict egg reserve and quality can be tricky. As a measure of fertility it never seems to stack up in my clinic. This is especially when women are frightened into not going for fertility treatment by a low AMH level, only to find that when they began to relax, eat well and look after themselves their stress levels reduce and all their key fertility hormones, such as FSH reduced and they produced viable eggs that survive implantation.

Scientists are basically making assumptions based on the number of growing follicles that they can see on the ovaries based on a substance released by these follicles, AMH and using this to 'predict' primordial egg reserve isn't in my view the cleverest way to pinpoint fertility. This method really is like counting the chicks by looking at the chicken!

There are no long term studies to see if AMH levels are an indicator of overall egg count. I have researched through many journals and have not found any studies or peer reviewed studies that have looked at women and AMH levels in their 20's or 30's and then followed these women until menopause to determine who had children.  This would be a little difficult I hasten to add as the test only started to be used as another stick to beat  'Infertile' women in clinics from 2002.

Until we have proof that it really is a useful test then, in my view, it should be used with caution and along side a thorough hormone panel over a period of 4 months to look at patterns to diagnose fertility.

FSH  (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) is another test that clinics and surgeries use to indicate possibly infertility. A crude assessment is given again and high levels of this hormones are enough evidence in some consultations that a women is not producing eggs any more. However the human body and particularly female reproduction is incredibly complicated and the precarious waltz it dances in order to produce an egg, is more than the sum of one hormone! 

In regards to FSH; I have seen many clients with varying FSH levels and personally think if this is high in one month I need to consistently see a high level over a 4 month period to indicate that the ovaries have ‘shut up shop’ so to speak. As part of this assessment I look at all the key hormones and how they are also presenting.  I have supported women with FSH as high as 30, and I  have helped them to bring these levels down. I don't look at FSH in isolation I have also put programmes together that look at all fertility hormones in order to bring them into a more natural state. Many have gone on to become pregnant 'defying the odds' with both a high FSH and Low AMH level.

http://soft-infertility.ca/blog/anti-mullerian-hormone-ovarian-reserve/ 

http://healthland.time.com/2012/02/27/scientists-say-ovary-stem-cells-can-make-new-human-eggs/  

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19380385If  

I'm talking at the Fertility Focus Summit on genes and fertility - why not join me on the 2nd May?

Short post today lovely people! My fabulous friend and colleague Sarah Holland is yet again hosting the amazing and free Fertility Focus Telesummit.

This is the 5th year of the Fertility Summit - and its shaping up to be the best year yet with lots of amazing speakers! I'm really excited and privileged to be part of this great event this year. I’m going to be talking about  a subject you may not be familiar with, but have been eluding to on this blog for a few months now …'Are your genes blocking your fertility? How lifestyle and good nutrition can provide a solution' 

This might be for you - If you been trying to get pregnant for over a year with no sign of a baby. Or have you had more than 1 miscarriage at either early or after 12 weeks. You might have consulted more than a dozen health care practitioners, seen General Practitioners,  tried all sorts of super foods’ even tried every supplements you ever heard of on the many forums claiming it healed their fertility. If this sounds like you then it might be time to look a little deeper and dig around in your genetics. Join me on Friday, 2nd May at 1pm Pacific | 4pm Eastern | 9pm UK time 

http://www.fertilityfocustelesummit.com/

Why I'm not in love with Folic Acid

Folate is the name given to a water soluble b-vitamin and is also known as B9. Folic acid refers to the oxidized synthetic compound used in dietary supplements and food fortification, whereas folate refers to the natural substance which is derived from eating folate rich food.

To make new cells, an existing cell divides in two. But first it copies its DNA so the new cells will each have a complete set of genetic instructions. Folate is a vital component in this cell replication, and understandably an important nutrient to developing a new life, as well as sustaining your own cell life!

The history of folate dates back to 1931 when chemists concluded that anaemia was caused by a dietary deficiency of the vitamin, based on their discovery of it in folate rich foods. Pharmaceutical and supplement companies moved quickly to counterfeit this vitamin. Folic acid was created in a lab in the early 1940s and today has largely replaced natural folate consumption as part of pregnancy support. In the US and also in other countries like Australia this was taken one step further in the late 1990s through mandatory food fortification. Government intervention in this areas was due to what scientists deemed as overwhelming evidence that folic acid would protect babies and as part of preconception plans  to ensure that that development of neural tube defects (NTD) in new-borns was eliminated.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/498421883731034732/

The body recognises the natural form of folate which can enter the methylation cycle, a cycle of donation of methyl groups which enables us to carry on living, so pretty important. However in order to complete this cycle we need specific enzymes to break  down substances in a multi step process. This is also the case for many things we ingest; they need converting many times before the body can use them.   Folate is such an important nutrient for fertility and sustaining life! The folate you eat has to be converted via many steps to the active folate 5-MTHFR

The low activity of this enzyme in the human liver, combined with a high intake of folic acid, may result in unnatural levels of unmetabolized folic acid entering the bodies systems.

Several studies have reported the presence of Unmetabolized folic acid in the blood following the consumption of folic acid supplements or fortified foods. Human exposure to folic acid was non-existent until its chemical synthesis in 1940s.

Risks associated with excessive folic acid intake

While the incidence of NTDs in the United States been significantly reduced since folic acid fortification began,  (as up to 60% people can process folic acid) there has been concern about the safety of chronic intake of high levels of folic acid from fortified foods, beverages and dietary supplements. In recent years this has been increasingly studied in terms of how we are made and our genetic make up. Genetics is the reason why some people can smoke and drink like a trouper and live to a ripe old age and some people develop chronic diseases when they live a wholesome life and fade away in such a short time. 

It’s all in your genetics                                                         Chromosomes are organized into short segments of DNA called genes. If you imagine the chromosome as the bookshelf then your DNA as a cookbook in a shelf, and your genes are the recipes. Written in the DNA alphabet - A, T, C, and G, which are the DNA bases - the recipes tell your cells how to function and what traits to express. For example, if you have blue eyes it is because the genes you inherited from your parents are instructing your eye cells to make blue eyes!

To make new cells, an existing cell divides in two. But first it copies its DNA so the new cells will each have a complete set of genetic instructions. Cells sometimes make mistakes during the copying process – a bit like typos. These typos lead to variations in the DNA sequence at particular locations, called single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs  (this is where the DNA bases have paired with the wrong base. One I want to look at that has been widely studied as to implications around folate and currently  has a total of  34 mutations is a more widely known SNP called MTHFR.

The MTHFR gene sits on Chromosome 1. There are two key variants we test for.

·         MTHFR C677T  so the 677 position

·         MTHFR A1298C – on the 1298 position

If you get a mixture of the Gene bases and one bases is wrong you may be ‘Heterozygous’   = 1 copy of the gene from either parent.

Or if you pair wrongly with both base pairs you are then deemed ‘Homozygous’  = 1 copy of the gene from each parent

MTHFR C677T Heterozygous = 40% loss of function
MTHFR C677T Homozygous =  70% loss of function

MTHFR A1298C Heterozygous = 20% loss of function (research on this SNP is limited)

MTHFR A1298C Homozygous  = between 50-70%

MTHFR C677T & MTHFR A1298C heterozygous = compound heterozygous = 50% loss of function in this SNP

http://io9.com/10-unusual-genetic-mutations-in-humans-470843733/all

What does having a mutated gene at chromosome 1 and position 677 or 1298 have to do with folic acid?

When ingested and as part of the break down process folic acid will bind to folate binding proteins to help carry folate around the body. It also binds to folate receptors, which are important as these are the keys that allow folate to move in and out of cells when needed. These proteins and receptors are really designed to recognise the broken down  methlyfolate and not folic acid, so in effect folic acid as it is an early part of the methyl pathways will be recognised by the receptor, will  go into the lock and jam it, as its meant to be broken down many times by the time it gets to the receptor. It will also do the same with proteins riding on the back of the proteins leaving no room for the correct passenger methyl folate in the transportation of folate round the body. This then gives your body less of a chance to complete the transfer and allow your body to gain the right type of folate.  With this happening it would make sense to assume that harm would occur as folates are needed for DNA production, balancing methylation and to support neurological development. In fact there have been studies that have shown that high metabolized folic acid have been found in the breast milk of mother, and also seen in serum blood tests.

How does this harm you?

If you have one of the polymorphisms mentioned above MTHFR your ability to break down folic acid is negated. In fact you may be one of those people as an early indication of having MTHFR if your  serum blood levels of this are very high! Unmetabolized folic acid can also do more harm.  If you aren’t getting enough folate you can’t replicate DNA, and it will further damage your ability to uptake B12 which is a vital cofactor to helping you transport Oxygen in red blood cells, so over time you can suffer from anaemia!  In terms of pregnancy and preparing, if you have this SNP you won’t be helping reduce NTD also, as your body can’t complete the transfer process. There will also be effects in the baby as folate helps to build healthy intestinal mucosa. If not properly built there may be issues with weakened ability to uptake nutrients and disease may set in or at the very least allergies, which will then be passed to future generations.

What can I do – I’m already taking a multi with folic acid and regularly eat fortified food

Do some reading around this! One of my main sources of early knowledge and continued information is www.mthfr.net you will find a load of information on how folic acid isn’t the panacea of all for preconception and pregnancy.

Dr Ben Lynch is a Naturopathic doctor who set up this site. He has tons of experience in this area and campaigns tireless about the dangers of folic acid. He has a fabulous action plan and if you want more ‘technical’ detail please read his blog on where he raises the possibility of having a folic acid awareness week.

His recommendations are:

• Throw out all folic acid enriched foods. These are processed foods such as cereals, breads, pastas, energy bars, drinks, snacks.
• Throw out all folic acid containing supplements.
• Eat folate rich foods. Note that when I state folate, I mean naturally-occurring folates such as dihydrofolate, folinic acid and methylfolate.
• Eat uncooked leafy greens (more you cook greens, the more folate gets destroyed)
• Eat beef liver (organic, free range)
•  Eat various beans such as lentils, pinto, garbanzo,  black, navy, kidney and lima.
•  Opt for supplements containing active folates.  
• Test your genetics and see where you may have blocks in your folate pathway. Knowing this is useful as you can be proactive in bypassing these blocks with various nutrients, avoiding various medications and increasing certain foods.
• After you test your genetics via www.23andMe.com  then run your raw data through something like  www.MTHFRSupport.com
•  Most of all speak to a practitioner who can help you fight  your way through this new world 

For further information visit this link:http://mthfr.net/folic-acid-awareness-week-2014-want-awareness-here-you-go/2014/01/08/