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MTHFR Vitamins
Vitmain B-complex sources MTHFR alternatives treatment of autoimmune disease read our e-book
Other good sources include:
- asparagus, broccoli, spinach, bananas, potatoes
- dried apricots, dates and figs
- milk, eggs, cheese, yoghurt
- nuts and pulses
- fish
- brown rice, wheat germ, wholegrain cereals.
Dietary sources of vitamin B6 are similar to those for vitamin B12 and also include avocado, herring, salmon, sunflower seeds and walnuts.
Folic acid (folate)
Folic acid works closely in the body with vitamin B12. It is vital for the production of healthy blood cells.
Lack of folic acid is one of the main causes of anaemia, particularly in people whose diet is generally poor. Vitamins B6 and B12 help the body use folate, so are often given alongside folic acid supplements.
In pregnancy, low folate levels increase the risk of the baby's spinal cord system not developing completely (spina bifida). All women are now advised to take folic acid supplements in the first three months of pregnancy and ideally before conception occurs.
Folate occurs naturally in most foods but often in small amounts.
- Many food manufacturers now fortify white flour, cereals, bread, corn, rice and noodle products with folic acid.
- One serving of each enriched product will contribute about 10 per cent of the RDA for folic acid.
- Wholegrain products are not enriched because they already contain natural folate.
Liver contains the greatest amount of folic acid, with lower levels found in beef, lamb and pork and a range of green vegetables and citrus fruits.
Other sources of folate are dried beans, fresh orange juice, tomatoes, wheat germ (wholemeal bread and cereal) and wholegrain products (pasta and brown rice).
A study on lowering Homocysteine N Engl J Med 2006;354
Background In observational studies, lower homocysteine levels are associated with lower rates of coronary heart disease and stroke. Folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 lower homocysteine levels. Methods We randomly assigned 5522 patients 55 years of age or older who had vascular disease or diabetes to daily treatment either with the combination of 2.5 mg of folic acid, 50 mg of vitamin B6, and 1 mg of vitamin B12 or with placebo for an average of five years.
The primary outcome was a composite Conclusions Supplements combining folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 did not reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients with vascular disease