As more people get DNA Testing, some of these tests are inevitably through the larger international websites that on-sell multiple types of lab tests.

Often these reports are identical to what we offer, however we are finding many of these clients coming to us to get help with understanding their results.

If you do not know where to get started in working with your results, or even what the most important findings are, then you are not getting the value out of your expenditure.  These reports are there for you to make a real difference to your health profile moving forward.

We are finding that many people are not interpreting the results entirely correctly, and this is especially true for the methylation profile.  You really need an understanding of the weighting the different SNP's hold, as well as the combinations of SNP's that tend to be more problematic.

So if you have a DNA report that is the same as we offer and are struggling to use it, we are offering a 1 hour stand alone consultation to go over it with you.  This is a consultation that can be done face to face in our Christchurch clinic, or on-line.   If your report is substantially different, we may still be able to help.

Contact us for more information on how we can help.
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MTR = Methionine synthase
The role of MTR is to convert homocysteine back into methionine. To do this is uses a methyl group from 5-MTHF. Methyl B12 is a cofactor, and the process is dependent on Zinc.

MTRR - Methionine synthase reductase
The role of MTRR is to regenerate oxidized B12, and support MTR activity.  Vitamin B2 is a cofactor

If we have SNP's in one or both of these genes, this can leading to an associated degree of compromise in the methylation process.   However, we never assess methylation based on 1 or 2 genes.  We need to look at the entire picture before deciding if supplementation is necessary.  

Often the most sustainable way to address moderate levels of compromise, is to understand how to find the necessary nutrients in the diet.   This is a simple process that should be included in your genetic report.  After all, the only reason to get a genetic report is to understand what you can do to address any potential issues.

Supplementation if needed, should be tailored to directly intervene in your most problematic areas.  

Another aspect to consider is that not only are there factors that can increase gene activity, there are also factors that decrease gene activity.  For MTR these include:  excess alcohol, excess sugar and heavy metals.  MTRR can be negatively influenced by a number of common pharmaceutical drugs.

MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) is an enzyme that converts folate into 5-MTHF.  This vital conversion takes place early in the methylation cycle.   

A SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) is a variation in a gene sequence that can result in the under functioning of a gene.

MTHFR can have a SNP in the coding which correlates to under functioning of the methylation cycle.  In fact it can have two SNP's MTHFR 677 and MTHFR 1298.  Depending on the combination of these SNP's, this under functioning could be significant.

However, there are also other points within the methylation cycle and its off-shoots that can be compromised by SNP's. These include MTR, MTRR, MTHFD1, DHFR, CBS, COMT, FUT2 and TCN2.

The point to make here, without getting any more complex, is that Methylation is a cycle.  It goes through a number of processes to reach its end goal.  To understand the efficacy of this process, we need to assess all the genes involved.    

There is no doubt that MTHFR has a significant impact and is a well researched gene.  If we just test for this, we are getting very useful information.  However, if we wish to understand and optimize methylation, then we need a complete picture.  This involves  testing all the clinically relevant genes that we know have an impact on methylation function.

This understanding of the inter-connectedness of methylation genes can now be expanded out further.  Methylation impacts every other system within the body.  When we assess complete functional genetic profiles such as the myDNA Comprehensive Health Report, we begin to see these web-like fingers that branch out to affect other organs and systems.  Which in turn can be impacted by their own specific SNP's.  

Only the SNP's that meet the threshold for clinical relevance are included in these profiles.  In summary, my suggestion is that you get the most comprehensive DNA test that is currently available in order to understand and optimize your health.