Stress and its effects on health are a growing concern in today’s fast-paced world. If you have a MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) and COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) gene mutation, stress can have a particularly significant impact on your well-being. These gene mutations can affect your body’s ability to process stress hormones and nutrients, and the added stress of daily life can exacerbate these effects.
MTHFR mutations can reduce your body’s ability to convert folate into its active form (methyltetrahydrofolate), which is essential for proper functioning of the nervous system and for DNA synthesis and repair.
COMT mutations can affect your body’s ability to break down neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which regulates mood, attention, and the stress response.
It’s important to understand that while having MTHFR and COMT gene mutations can increase stress-related health problems including:
- Depression and anxiety: MTHFR mutations can impair your body’s ability to convert folate into its active form, which is essential for proper functioning of the nervous system. Chronic stress can increase the demand for folate and deplete your body’s stores, leading to a buildup of homocysteine and cause depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. COMT mutations can affect your body’s ability to break down neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which are involved in regulating mood, attention, and stress responses. Chronic stress can increase the levels of these neurotransmitters, leading to an overstimulation of your nervous system, and also cause anxiety and depression.
- Cardiovascular disease: Chronic stress can increase the levels of homocysteine in your blood, which is one factor contributing to cardiovascular disease. If you have a MTHFR mutation, your body’s ability to convert folate into its active form may be impaired, which can further cause the development of cardiovascular disease.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome: If you have a MTHFR mutation, you may have difficulty producing sufficient levels of energy resulting in chronic fatigue syndrome. Chronic stress can further exacerbate the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Migraines: MTHFR mutations can contribute to one of the causes of migraines, and chronic stress can trigger or worsen the symptoms of migraines.
Having a mutation of either MTHFR, COMT, or both do not necessarily guarantee that you will experience these effects. Other factors, such as lifestyle, environmental, mental and emotional factors, can also play a role in determining the impact of stress on your health.
If you have a MTHFR and COMT gene mutation, what can you do to manage stress and maintain your health? Here are some tips that may be helpful:
- Eat organic, whole foods: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help support your overall health and reduce the negative effects of stress. You’ll also want to avoid processed foods, alcohol, and identify any foods that increase inflammation and cause stress internally in the body.
- Low-Moderate Impact Exercise: Exercise is a great way to manage stress and improve physical and mental well-being. Aim for at least 20 minutes of movement 3-5 days a week such as going for a walk, yoga, pilates, or swimming.
- Calm the mind & body: Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and deep breathing, can help calm the mind and reduce stress.
- Get quality & quantity sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to help your body and mind recharge. Using an Oura Ring can help track if you are getting enough quality sleep.
- Avoid caffeine & alcohol: Caffeine stimulates the adrenals and may cause you to feel on edge or anxious. Both can interfere with sleep, caffeine keeps you awake and alcohol decreases REM, when your body repairs and restores itself.
In conclusion, stress can have a significant impact on your physical and mental health with MTHFR and COMT gene mutations, but there are steps that you can take to manage its effects. If you have concerns about how stress may be affecting your health, it’s important to speak with a practitioner who can help you develop a personalized plan for managing stress and supporting your overall well-being.
To speak with Kate Vazquez to learn more about how to support a MTHFR and/or COMT mutation, schedule a Clarity Call.
