One of the major side effects of having an MTHFR gene mutation is the higher risk of having a stroke. While it is a scary thought it’s also better to know how MTHFR can cause a stroke. But what you can do to prevent a stroke or even help yourself to repair your health. After experiencing a stroke caused by mthfr gene mutations.
What exactly is a stroke?
Most people have heard of the term stroke & or heart attack. But generally, people understand that it is a life threatening disease. But many people are not aware that these prominent afflictions are both caused by blockages or breakages in their arteries or veins. This causes the part of the body that has the problem to die from a clot or hemorrhage due to a lack of oxygen and nutrient supply.
50% of the population have a high chance of developing this disease and the risk percentage goes up even higher for those with mthfr gene mutations. However its more likely that many of the 50% represent people who have mthfr gene problems. Yet they are left undiagnosed and therefore could have been prevented from having a stroke and or heart attack.
MTHFR & Stroke
MTHFR or methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a regulatory enzyme that also involved in the metabolism of folate. When this enzyme becomes reduced as a result of a mthfr gene mutation. Then the metabolism of folate is disrupted which leads to one of the main causes of stroke called a homocysteine imbalance.
The gene mutation known as C677T is an also common polymorphism in the MTHFR gene which is associated with a decreased activity in the mthfr enzyme. That can also lead to stroke. For example, depending on how much you are affected, based on your gene mutation, even more, they could also indicate your risk toward having a stroke or heart attack:
- MTHFR C677T heterozygous = 30-40% loss of function
- MTHFR C677T homozygous = 60-70% loss of function
An additional mthfr gene mutation known as A1298C is another common polymorphism in the MTHFR gene. But which is associated with a decreased activity in the mthfr enzyme that can o lead to thromboembolism that can also lead to stroke. The A1298C is more likely to lead to a stroke in combination with having the C677T.
- MTHFR A1298C heterozygous = some % loss of function – (limited research)
- MTHFR A1298C homozygous = 40% loss of function
As you can see above if you have a mthfr mutation you also have a significantly higher percentage in reduced ability to produce a complex enzyme. That metabolizes folate which is needed to control methylation, But a vital process that keeps you healthy and alive. And it doesn’t stop there, reduce the ability to utilize folate means that other essential vitamins and minerals that are needed to keep your cardiovascular system healthy cannot work properly simply because they all rely on folate metabolism to work properly.
Causes of stroke
The are many different ways that a stroke can be caused, these include:
- Having one or more MTHFR gene mutations
- Family history of heart disease and stroke
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Homocysteine imbalances
- Poor diet
- High bad cholesterol/low good cholesterol
- Blood thickening
- Methylation imbalances
- Artery hardening
- Estrogen dominance
- Atherosclerosis
- Spasm in the brain blood vessels
- Amino acid imbalances
- Essential fatty acids imbalances
- Thromboembolism
Symptoms of stroke
- Facial weakness
- Weakness of the arms
- Difficulty with speech
- Weakness or numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg on either or both sides of the body
- Difficulty speaking or understanding
- Dizziness, loss of balance or an unexplained fall
- Loss of vision, sudden blurring or decreased vision in one or both eyes
- Headache, usually severe and abrupt onset or unexplained change in the pattern of headaches
- Difficulty swallowing
Preventing stroke with MTHFR
Preventing a stroke is far better than a cure as the saying goes and it’s important when you have genetic risks for a stroke to do everything you can to prevent a stroke. Here are just some of the things that you can do to improve your risk of having a stroke with mthfr.
- Know if you have mthfr gene mutations (get tested for mthfr gene mutations)
- Test your homocysteine, it should be between 7 and 7.5 when you have mthfr
- Test your methylation with a methylation cycle test.
- Seek a mthfr practitoner that can help support your nutritional status
Supplements for stroke prevention
Some nutritional supplements are helpful for stroke prevention, but each individual should seek professional advice before using these, this is because people with mthfr respond differently to supplements because of their mutations.
- Niacin
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- B complex vitamins
- Folate (avoid folic acid)
- Magnesium
- Omega 3,6,9 essential oils
MTHFR gene mutations and stroke
Nobody wants to consider the idea of having a stroke, but its important to understand that there are lots of things that can be done to prevent a stroke, especially when you know if you are genetically at a higher risk for having a stroke such as those with mthfr gene mutations. A mthfr practitioner can help you to identify which genes you may have that could cause you to have a stroke and help support these genetic weaknesses to significantly reduce your chances of having a stroke or heart attack.
If you have a family history of stroke or heart attack it is vital that you test yourself for MTHFR gene mutations, or if you identify with any of the symptoms of mthfr or other mthfr conditions this will give you a great advantage if you test positive, treatments can work to prevent the risk of having a stroke and even help support those that may have already had a stroke to recover.
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