Methylation is a biochemical pathway and process happening in the body all the time. It is a fundamental process necessary to generate energy, manage inflammation and detoxification. Vitamins B2, B6, B9 and B12 are absolutely necessary in adequate amounts for Methylation to occur efficiently. For many people, this pathway and process is reliable and does not cause any difficulties. However for those people with a particular gene mutation, called the MTHFR gene mutation, this process is less efficient. For some people it is significantly less efficient and this contributes to the development of a range of symptoms with implications for treating serious chronic health and mental health conditions.

Dr Rajsree Nambudripad has prepared a short video which does a good job of reducing the complexity of both the biochemistry of methlyation and the effect the MTHFR gene mutations have on Methylation to something more easy to understand. Understanding the role methylation plays in both chronic health and mental health disorders, makes it easier to put a finger on exactly where to focus treatment.

The researcher and group likely to be most responsible for this discovery is Psychiatrist Dr William Walsh of the Walsh Research Institute. Dr Walsh’s focus for research over the last 30 years, drawing from a data base of 30 000 cases, has been the successful treatment of multiple serious mental health presentations by focusing on patient biochemstry and using predominantly nutrition based interventions.

The best way to learn about his research and findings is to dive in, visit his website and do a lot of reading trying to understand the enigma of biochemistry … or you could watch a YouTube video.

Here is Dr Walsh discussing his research and findings with Psychiatrist Dr Yang of the Yang Institute of Integrative Medicine.

Understanding Dr Walsh’s findings and treatment protocols is important if you have any major mental health symptoms and or a diagnosis, but this is particularly true if you have or know someone who has Autism, Schizophrenia, ADHD and or Bi Polar Disorder. The findings also have important implications for progress of Alzheimer’s Disorder and Dementia.

Dietician Katie Krejci, explains more about the MTHFR gene, why it is important, what it does in the body and how it can be managed if you test positive for either the homozygous or heterozygous gene mutation. This test can be completed reliably, easily and quickly using a cheek swab, at low cost.