Autism/ADHD and MTHFR (Part 2)

This is Part 2 of my article on MTHFR and Autism/ADHD:
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This article follows on from my previous article on the MTHFR gene and its relationship to Autism and ADHD conditions.

Many published studies show the links between having the MTHFR genetic variants and Autism/ADHD symptoms and conditions, for a number of reasons:

1. Having an MTHFR variant can cause a functional deficiency of folate, which in turn can affect the metabolism of other vitamins such as B12, B6 and others, thus potentially causing a number of nutrient deficiencies and their related deficiency symptoms
2. MTHFR metabolic issues can affect energy levels, to cause weakness, fatigue, brain fog, poor memory and concentration, which are common in Autism/ADHD
3. MTHFR issues affect the production of hormones and neurotransmitters, to cause mood and behaviour changes, and other mental health symptoms such as depression, anxiety, anger and violence and more
4. MTHFR variants can affect detoxification functions, and causing increased toxicity, which can affect brain function to affect moods and behaviours and mental health
5. MTHFR variants reduce the ability of the body to metabolise homocysteine, resulting in increased inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, which in turn affects moods and behaviours and mental health
6. Some MTHFR variants, specifically the C677T variant, are associated with the increased risk of Autism disorders, Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia (Li et. al., 2020; Meng et. al., 2022), being serious neurological disorders which are commonly seen along with Autism/ADHD
7. The MTHFR A1298C variant is also related to Bipolar Disorder and ADHD, but not Autism disorders
8. Some MTHFR variants can increase the risks of, or worsen, heart and circulation issues.

Studies show that there is a link to having the MTHFR variants with these neurodevelopmental and neurological conditions, which includes Autism and ADHD, and therefore related to the metabolism of folate (and vitamin B12, B6 and others) (Meng et. al., 2022). Folate from foods, which the MTHFR gene metabolises, is needed for the development and function of the nervous system and the brain, hence the importance of your foods and nutrition for preventing and even treating Autism/ADHD! Or on the other hand, poor food choices and nutrient deficiencies can contribute to mental health symptoms and Autism/ADHD. Folate is particularly needed for DNA replication when cells divide and create new cells during periods of growth and development, especially in pregnancy for a foetus, or in the growing childhood years.

Sadly a common recommendation from doctors is for women who are trying to conceive, or pregnant women, to take high doses of folic acid to prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida, without actually checking the MTHFR genetic status of the woman first. Folic acid is NOT the same as folate from foods!

Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate in all non-organic wheat flour based products, processed foods, and in cheap (and nasty) supplements. Metabolising folic acid in the body is a much slower process than from natural folate in foods, which can create a deficiency of methylfolate (the active form the body uses) when it’s needed. If you have any of the MTHFR genetic variants, this will compound the problem of metabolising folic acid (and natural folate), to further slow down the body’s use of methylfolate, creating more of an issue of a deficiency of methylfolate, and leading to its related symptoms. Even worse, is that folic acid from wheat flour products, processed foods and supplements, can actually BLOCK the folate receptors on the cells, to even further slow down the ability of cells to use the methylfolate. Hence folic acid can make MTHFR related symptoms and conditions MUCH worse, including in those with Autism/ADHD and related other conditions.

But what do children and people with Autism/ADHD like to eat?! Lots and lots of beige foods of breads, bakery products, pasta, cereals, wheat flour crumbed chicken nuggets, and processed foods – ALL very high in folic acid! And you wonder why they have mood and behaviour issues, mental health symptoms, and Autism/ADHD.

Folic acid isn’t just a problem in children or people with MTHFR genetic variants, or with Autism/ADHD. Folic acid still slows down the metabolism of natural folate in everyone, but having an MTHFR issue makes it several times worse.

Folic acid must really be avoided by everyone!

There are, of course, other causative factors to Autism/ADHD conditions than someone’s MTHFR status. But having an MTHFR variant can contribute in many ways to the mood and behaviour issues and other symptoms of Autism/ADHD.

Stay healthy!

References:

Li, Y., Qiu, S., Shi, J., Guo, Y., Li, Z., Cheng, Y., & Liu, Y. (2020). Association between MTHFR C677T/A1298C and susceptibility to autism spectrum disorders: a meta-analysis. BMC Pediatrics, 20, 449. DOI: 10.1186/s12887-020-02330-3

Meng, X., Zheng, J. L., Sun, M. L., Lai, H. Y., Wang, B. J., Yao, J., & Wang, H. (2022). Association between MTHFR (677C>T and 1298A>C) polymorphisms and psychiatric disorder: A meta-analysis. PloS one, 17 (7), e0271170. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271170