I'm A Bad MTHFR

Diet Tips, SNPs and Resources for Other Bad MTHFRs

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So, should you eat animal protein, and if so, how much?

This has to be one of the greatest nutrition debates in recent memory.  And I want to share my experience so you’ll understand how I answer this question.

I’m a passionate gal and love everything about empowered living, smart fitness and clean nutrition  In my younger years I tried every diet I could find, convinced each time that I had found THE perfect diet, advocated aggressively for it, sneered at others that didn’t agree… only to discover what seemed to be a better way sometime later.  I was macrobiotic, vegan, was a Zoner, tried South Beach, ate raw, did Atkins, flexitarian, locavore, gluten-free, dairy-free, and many more people have never heard of.  I wasn’t flaky; I was simply fueled by passion and love new research.

Now, back to our question.  My answer on the meat issue is “It’s up to YOU; you’re the expert on this one.”  Your perfect nutrition plan needs to meet the needs of your story and struggle, your psychological sensitivities AND your physiologic expression.  I deeply believe that there is no one perfect diet but the best plan for you is the one that you can commit to, own, love, live with and see results from.  So your answer to this question depends on HIWFY (“How’s It Working For You?, pronounced “hiffy”).  Is your HIWFY “iffy”?

In truth, in the same way I might treat a diabetic for Diabetes, I often treat vegans for veganism, Paleo’s for Paleolithic eating.  When they come to see me, something’s not working anymore and we need to try some changes.

So in my practice I absolutely honor my client’s individual struggles and stories but I suggest you consider your HIWFY and entertain a challenge.  If ethical reasons are not at the root of your vegan/vegetarian diet, I say try adding some animal meat.  If you’re purely Paleo, but don’t feel great, I say cut back on the meat a bit.  You get the picture… if you’re “All-in” in one direction, try bringing some counter-balance.

Genetic panels will also give you a blueprint for your dietary needs. Having genetic SNP’s (single nucleotide polymorphism’s) for vitamin B12 will put you at a greater risk of B12 deficiency on a vegan diet.  PEMT genetic SNP’s require a greater needs for the nutrient choline, a key nutrient for brain and cellular health.  Choline is found primarily in animal based foods.  BCMO genetic SNP’s slow the conversion of beta-carotene to active Vitamin A. If you have BCMO SNP’s and eat a vegan diet, you will likely end up with a vitamin A deficiency.

For every “diet team” out there I can show you people that are failing miserably while others thrive… the same is true about eating meat.  For just about every bit of research out there, I can show you equally good research that offers a variation or even the complete opposite.  The reason: The success or failure of the diet, or the research… whether it’s positive or negative, depends on people and we’re all just so dang different.

You see, it’s all about HIWFY – you have to balance personal preferences, metabolism, sensitivities, genetic makeup, and such with positive and maintainable RESULTS.**

Let me know what you discover in your exploration.

In the meantime, take care of yourself.
photo credit: Fresh Wild King Salmon caught near Bodega Head. via photopin (license)


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I’m certain your genes weren’t on your mind over the holidays but we can’t overlook that they were players in everything you did and ate and thought.  The holidays with all of the various changes in your routine can reveal tons about your genetic weaknesses and strengths.  I find it fascinating, but imagine so few people take a deep enough look at the clues revealed during experiences like the holidays.

How you managed what you did, what you ate, and what you thought is ripe with delicious clues to your health.  I might go so far as to offer that if you’ve never consulted your genes for clues to your health, you’re missing out in a huge way.  Let’s take a look at what you might have missed.

We all recognize that this time of year is always filled with so many challenges… physical, mental and emotional… sometimes wonderful, sometimes not so much.  For myself, I feel blessed to have loving family around me, but also feel the pressure of expectations, social engagements and change.  It’s not easy for me to step out of my normal routine of patients, kids, food and exercise.  Knowing that another year has passed and so much remains to be accomplished weighs on me.  (See if you can figure out below which set of genes I need to work on.)

The ability to relax into the holidays and be ok with all of the change begins from the foundation within my genetic make-up.  Perhaps you can relate but maintaining the graciousness of an angel in someone else’s home and engaging in fruitful (and sometimes vaguely oppositional) conversation across the table from in-laws or new faces on energy fumes and a questionable diet is a challenge for my system to navigate (even this sentence was tiring for me to read).  Some people are juiced up by this environment; others are left depleted.  So how I fared stems most essentially from the strengths and weaknesses within my unique genetic makeup.

Let’s briefly review some “holiday genes” so you can see where you fit, and then consider if some changes to your routine in the new year might leave a few personal challenges in 2014.  You see… the nice thing about genes, as influential as they are, is that we now know we can change how we handle just about everything that comes into our lives… from stress, alcohol or sleep to our susceptibility to stroke, gluten, or hormonal weight gain.

Some may feel like alcohol and coffee got them through the holidays but a lot can be gleaned from that.  Your co-worker that was dancing on the table at the christmas party, and still arrived at work the next day bright and chipper, probably has CYP genes that are working really well.  If you find that a few sips from a cocktail leave you banged up the next day, you may need to give your CYP’s a boost.  As for coffee, I joke that I can’t even smell it after 3PM if I want to sleep but my father-in-law essentially drinks a cup in order to go to bed.  It’s in the genes.

Maybe you’re familiar with the tension of the holidays coursing through your veins and find relaxing a wishful hope.  You may have a slow functioning COMT.  COMT is the enzyme responsible for the breakdown of anxiety causing neurotransmitters, preventing their persistent cycling through your body and resulting stress overload.  While this may lead you to appear high functioning (ie. wow, this lady really thinks of everything when it comes to planning a party), it may not feel so good in your body.  Muscle tension, sleepless nights and racing thoughts are the unwelcome costs of the external perfection.

The holidays routinely bring a break from your normal diet.  New indulgences can leave you with a tired body, foggy brain, sluggish bowels or even aching joints.  There are several related genes that affect how you cope with anything from processed foods to the gluten in that delicious pie crust.

Then there are some of us that have no interest in another cookie, yet can’t stop ourselves… willpower has left until next year.  This is surprisingly common and has little to do with willpower in the end.  You may have a genetic susceptibility to lowered dopamine or serotonin causing you to seek out foods that ding your reward centers in the brain.  This is such a powerful mechanism that leaves many of us guilt-ridden.

I think we all know someone that gets that familiar “bar tan”.  You know the one at the holiday party with the flushed face.  Sometimes allergies peak, skin itches and eyes water.  This experience sheds insight into how histamine genes have managed all that aged cheese, the goblets of red wine and other histamines throughout the holiday spread.

Lastly, with the holidays coming to a close perhaps your stomach has not “been right” since they started.  Compared to the rest of your family, you haven’t overindulged much at all, yet you feel bloated constantly and you wonder how other people are managing to survive.  You may have any number of susceptibilities to poor gut function and bacterial imbalance that leave your gut gurgling.

These are just a few examples of how your genes can influence how you process foods and beverages or impact your mood.  Once you identify a genetic “weakness” in a certain area, you can learn how to change it.  Our old way of thinking about genes, is just that, old.  While you do inherit genes from your parents, how the genes influence various functions in your body changes based on your environment, the thoughts we think, the food we eat, the air we breathe, etc.

Again… you can change the function of your genes.  For example, if you are someone who has a tendency to high histamine levels, experienced as a flushed face, watery and itchy eyes after enjoying certain foods or drink, we can give you an enzymes called DAO which can help you breakdown histamine.  If you are someone who doesn’t breakdown stress-inducing neurotransmitters, we can give you magnesium and specific vitamins to speed up the enzymes and help you feel more balanced and relaxed.

To me, this information is so empowering.  Recognizing that you’re just unique genetically and not weird or crazy is a huge mental relief in and of itself.  Then knowing that you’re not at the mercy of your genes and that you can alter their function is truly life changing.

So enjoy the close to 2014.  Here’s to fresh chances in 2015!   As we consider new year’s resolutions I propose we resolve to capitalize on the fresh chances everyday to create a new future for ourselves.

For those that are interested, please join us for the start of our next in-class Metabolic Cleanse.  We’ll learn how to positively influence our genes together and identify what works for you.  Join us locally in our downtown office or online from anywhere!  (You must register to attend.  If you’re not in Charleston, you can do it online/anytime: Online/Anytime Metabolic Cleanse)


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Epigenetics and Breast Health

Breast Thermography

Before I share some exciting news for Charleston locals, I remember that I have something else to tell all the HealthE gals out there…

So, breasts have been on my mind a good bit recently…

Perhaps it’s because of all of the media around Angelina Jolie, or because I’m actively trying to wean my youngest (who is not so young anymore), or it’s the new Doc in town with an innovative approach to screening (more on that to come), or it could just be trying to update my Pinterest account with my favorites reads… for certain, I have been thinking a lot about breast health.

Regardless, yesterday, I recalled one of my favorite books… Breasts, A Natural and Unnatural History, by Florence Williams… remembering I should tell more people to read it.  Is it about nutrition?  Not necessarily, but it is about the effects of our modern environment on our health… particularly breast health.

I urge you to read Florence’s book but here’s a one of my blogs, Modern Day Canary in a Coal Mine, where I share some of her key points.

So, we have to ask, “Do we have any control over the effects of environment on our health?” “Do we have control over our genes?”  Yes and Yes.  But wait… we’ve been told forever that if it’s genetic, then that’s it… it’s to be our life’s burden.  Current research shows it’s not really so.

Epigenetics is the study of how our environment affects our genes and gene expression.  (One of the most significant areas that we all need to know about involves a gene mutation, MTHFR, that affects methylation.  Methylation is occurring billions of times per second at the cellular level turning genes on and off and affects every system in your body… don’t overlook this one.)  To understand epigenetics, simply, think of a suntan. (Sun = environmental “exposure”, tan = responsive change in gene expression and subsequent protein synthesis).  The genes coding for melanin production are turned on by the exposure to the sun.  Until that exposure, they lay dormant.  I go into it further in Do I Look Healthy in these Genes?, but the take-home message is that a genetic condition can be in your genes but never affect you.

So, here’s what I wanted to share with Charleston locals that ties this all together.  I’m excited to introduce Dr. Ariane Cometa.  She’s a wonderful practitioner that’s bringing her Thermography skills to Charleston.  Dr. Cometa is currently opening a thermography practice, locally, and I think we all need to know about it.  I know her personally and can assure you… her heart (and practice) is in the right place.

Let me know if you’ve had it done.  Perhaps for something other than breast health.  What was your experience?


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Aging: How I’d Start it All Over Again

If I could age all over again, I would methylate better… let me explain.

Fact: Our genetic material is switched off and on by our environment- the food we eat, the thoughts we think, the air we breathe (this is the study of epigenetics).

The most common change we see scientifically in the genetic sequence of our cells as they respond to our environment (the food we eat, the thoughts we think, the air we breathe) has to do with a chemical group (methyl) and the process of change called methylation.

Interesting part of methylation is newborns show a significantly higher amount of methylation than older people (aged 89-100).  The younger we are, the better we are at methylating.

Research link here: Distinct DNA methylomes of newborns and centenarians

This loss of methylation is associated with increased risk of cancer, infection and diabetes.

Even more interesting (to me) is the main component of a whole foods, hypoallergenic diet, supplements in specific forms and a good cleanse program has to do with giving methyl donors (i.e. Increasing methylation).

Interested in being a better methylator? (i.e..slowing the aging process) It is never too late.

  • Make sure your B-vitamins (particularly folic acid are in their methylated form)
  • Limit exposure to toxins (chemical cleaners, pesticides, processed foods)
  • Support phase II liver detoxification (phase II is where the methylation happens) by living a cleanse style life, green vegetables (especially the cabbage family), clean protein (this refers to high intake of protein, but also absorbing it well)
  • Additionally, you can test your methylation pathways with a simple blood test.

The researcher from the study above summed it up nicely….

Widschwendter, likens the DNA sequence to the genome’s “hardware” and epigenetic changes to its “software,” says that the Esteller team’s study supports earlier research suggesting that “as a function of age and environmental exposure, this software accumulates defects” that can cause “age-related cancer and degenerative diseases.”

Happy Methylating!

~Dr. Sherri

 

 

 

photo credit: pedrosimoes7 via photo pin cc


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Which Fats are Good for YOU?

Fats… should we eat them or not?

Fats have seen their fair share of ups and downs when it comes to the media and nutrition advice.  In the 80’s they were vilified by most, now they’re being praised by many, what are we to believe?  If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that broadly, I’m on the whole foods side of the equation, which includes healthy fats.  A big question is, which fats are healthy for you and which may be harmful.

Here’s what I’m talking about.

Butter and lard are making a come back as traditional healthy fats that we should have in the diet, so should we really be eating them?  Then what about all of the information out there from respected physicians like Drs. Campbell and McDougal who advocate a very low fat diet without any animal fats at all.  They appear to have a good following of clients who get great results?

Here’s my take on what fats you need in the diet.

Wait for it… you may already know what I’m going to say… it depends on the you, and all of your unique loveliness.  I’m sure you’ve never heard me say that before, wink.  But it leaves you to wonder, “What are my individual needs… how do I know?”  So I want to help you answer that.  There are a few key ways to help you decide how much and what kinds of fats you need.

First, why should we care about fats?

I think most of us have been okay with the need to stay hydrated by replenishing with clean water because our bodies are composed largely of water.  Seemingly, the same rational falls flat for many when we discuss the need to consume healthy fats.  Near daily I watch as clients turn pale at a given recommendation that includes the word fat.  I understand it but we need to evolve our thinking here.  Healthy fats are essential to creating a healthy body.

Figure out what kinds of fats you should be eating.

I feel the most comprehensive (and most exciting) way is to get a Holman Omega-3 Test.  Here’s what I like about this test.  I’ve run fatty acid panels many times before, but they’re expensive and require a visit to a lab for a full blood draw.  Thanks to Holman, we now have a way to test your fatty acids with blood from a simple finger prick.  I had mine done recently and I could not believe the level of detail I received from a simple blood spot.  I do love advances in technology… (sometimes!).

Complete with charts and graphs, the test reveals how you compare to the typical American diet and outlines personalized details to improve the fats in your diet.  Do you need to eat more fish?  Take a fish oil supplement?  Eat more nuts and seeds, maybe eat less?  From a simple blood spot test you get a breakdown of over 20 fatty acids, the ever important omega 3:6 ratio as well as your total Omega- 3 HUFA score.  While the test has the most traction in evaluating cardiovascular risk, I would offer that the results have so much more life than that.  By knowing and improving your fatty acid profile you can take steps to peak your health and even prevent certain conditions.  (We are carrying these in office and on our HealthE Naturally online store.  It’s easy to complete at home as long as you are okay with pricking your finger.)

Additionally, you can now take a look at your genes.  APOE (Apolipoprotein E) is a gene with several variations.  Your gene variant can help you decide how well you process fats from your diet.  You can ask your doctor to run this or you can do a simple saliva collection through 23andMe.  There are app’s you can run the data through which can tell you your APOE status.  Right here is likely central to why some people do well on high fat diets and some do well on low-fat diets.  I like this kind of information because it removes guessing and clarifies an approach to personalized nutrition.

Lastly, you can also track your yearly screening labs in combination with a diet dairy to get a sense of how well you’re metabolizing fats.   A skilled practitioner can determine a lot from this approach.

You are You… we need to respect that.

I will likely always come back to this but what I know for sure, is that each one of us is unique beyond belief and so are our optimal dietary needs.  So whether fats are your friend and which fats are your “besties” depends on YOU.  Now, you have the tools to figure out for yourself.

 

photo credit: mchelen via photopin cc


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Supplements: Should You Be Taking Them

“Do I need to take supplements?”

This is a fair question and one that I’m frequently asked.  To arrive at the answer depends on three things: Supplement Quality, Your Digestion and Nutrient Deficiency (Need)

How’s it working for you?

If you’re taking supplements, this may be the first test.  With most of my new clients I find that I’m taking them off supplements.  They have a bag full of products that they take but they don’t remember why.  They don’t even really know if they’re doing anything.  You should notice a difference when you take your supplements, or when you discontinue them.  (Or, perhaps a qualified practitioner trained to know what to look for.) Used appropriately, supplements can offer an effective bridge to better health, so be sure your routine is working for you.

Supplement Quality:

First and foremost, you should only take high-quality supplements.  With some poorer quality products I might advise my clients to open up their bottle, take out the recommended daily dosage and throw the pills right in the trash.  It’s a bit snarky, I know, but many poor quality products are, at best, a waste of your money and, at worst, bad for your health.  So, how do you find quality among the mass-marketed, global nutrition industry products available today?  A solid start is to see if they’re MAD DOC approved.

Watch our MAD DOC video and get our free supplement guide and convenient wallet cards.

Here’s a solid tip from MAD DOC:
One of my indicators for quality (the M in MAD DOC) is methylfolate, a vital nutrient form of folate.  Emerging research shows there’s significant reason for concern about taking the synthetic form, folic acid, the form found most often in supplements and fortified foods.  “The more we learn about folic acid, the more it’s clear that giving it to everyone has very real risks,” according to David Smith PhD, professor of Pharmacology at the University of Oxford in England (Prevention Magazine).  So, why is it so abundant in supplements and foods?  One idea notes that it’s up to 400 times cheaper for the manufacturer to use the synthetic form than the natural form.  But, another reminds us that we have seen some benefit in the decrease in conditions like Spina Bifida.  With methylfolate the benefits are delivered but without the increased risks for such conditions as various Cancers.  (An estimated 15,000 Cancers annually in the United States could be attributed to synthetic folic acid.)
If you’re interested, check out this recent article in Medical News Today about the treatment of depression with methylfolate.

Your Digestion:

Now, there’s the matter of digestion.  There may be no need to take supplements if your digestion is not working well.  People tend to get a bit squeamish about digestion but the inconvenient truth is that it’s the foundation of your physical health.  All other aspects of physical health (and this includes less obvious things like mental performance, emotional health, athletic performance, sexual health, sleep, stress adaptation) depend on the performance of the gut.   So, why would you not take supplements if your not digesting foods well?  Because you may not digest the supplements well, either.  The problem is with your digestion; you’re not breaking down foods and absorbing the nutrients from your diet very well.  Get your digestion straight and you may find all sorts of pings and pangs relieved by the enhanced  nutrients absorption.
Our squeamish nature around digestion leads many to quickly claim, “My digestion is perfect.” Or, “Nope, no problem, there.”  What I frequently find is that they meant “I’m not comfortable talking about that, yet, because it’s really a mess.”  Others still, have never even considered their digestion as anything more than an inconvenient part of their day.  I get it, no judgment here, but remember, it’s the foundation for your health.  So, if you experience gas, bloat, reflux, diarrhea, constipation or any other chronic digestive complaint, you need to consider that your foundation may be weak.  Here’s a recent article I wrote that you may like on food, digestion and supplements.

Nutrient Deficiency:

So, a nutrient deficiency might be the most challenging one for you to figure out.  The internet and grocery store shelves are abundant with miracle nutrients that clearly you must not be getting enough of because if you were (as the images suggest) you’d look and feel like a model running on a beach with adoring fans all around.  There is a truth that the right nutrient for the right person can have dramatic, life-altering effects.  I wrote an article in First for Women where zinc was “that nutrient” for my client… because she was deficient.  The challenge and the art is figuring out if you have any deficiencies.
People loved this article so for starters, get a mirror out and read this article: 10 Signs of Good Nutrition.
Here’s another barometer you can use anytime… check your mood, energy and cravings. Imbalance depicts imbalance.
Get routine labs from your doctor reviewed from a functional nutrition perspective.  Most labs are just looked at for high and low values, but there’s a ton of information to be drawn out when you consider them from a functional perspective.

It’s a start.

We have a Food First philosophy and recommend food as your first choice, but our clinical practice leads us to recognize the value of high quality supplements.  Appropriately used, they can be an invaluable part of your health journey, an excellent bridge to get you where you want to go.  Just make sure you’re taking the right ones, that they work for you, not against you and that you get results.

photo 1 credit: atomicjeep via photopin cc

photo 2 credit: Hey Paul Studios via photopin cc


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Epigenetics Feature in Cooper River Bridge Run Magazine

Thank you to the Cooper River Bridge Run

… for asking us to be a part of this great event.

Be sure to check out our featured article on personalized nutrition: Good Genes, Bad Genes.  The Choice is Yours.

Congratulations to all those participating.

~ Dr. Sherri and the Team at HealthE Coaching

Cooper River Bridge Run 2014 article overlay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

photo credit: Cooper River Bridge Run Magazine


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DO I Look Healthy in These Genes?

The fancy term is epigenetics.

The take home message on epigenetics is, we are not at the mercy of our family history.  We have control over our health and whether our genetic code is going to express health and vitality or dis-ease.

For many of us, this is exciting news, especially when our family lineage is riddled with heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Since this month, October, is breast cancer awareness month and the topic of my talk this week to Santee Cooper employees, I would like to share some highlights with you.

Continuing with our theme,“Nutrition Made Simple”. Here are the Bullet Point Facts: About 5% to 10% of breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary, resulting directly from gene defects (called mutations) inherited from a parent. (American Cancer Society)

1. Nutrients (diet) change the expression of our genes that are associated with various pathological processes, like diabetes, aging and cancer.

2. The term “epigenetic diet” was coined by researches at the University of Alabama.  After pulling together global studies and reviewing the literature, these researchers concluded, there are specific foods which will help people live healthier lives and prevent debilitating illnesses like, Alzheimer’s Disease and Breast cancer. 

3. It is becoming clear- we have an inherited genetic code, but how that code expresses itself, is based on our Environment (The food we eat, the air we breathe, the thoughts we think, the toxins we are exposed to!)

*This sounds a lot like my Toxic 10 list, which you can access here 

4. Food is information. Think about this…really think about it.  Food is not calories or grams.  It is a signal to our cells, to our genes– create health or create dis-ease. What signals are you sending?

5. Here is a list of researched, epigentic foods we need in our diets.  Why are these foods important?  They are integral player in one of our detoxification pathways – The methylation pathway.  These foods are all methyl donors and this pathway is why detoxification and eating clean foods are crucial. 

  • brassicaceae family of plants help us remove harmful estrogens from the body. Broccoli, cabbage, kale, brussel sprouts
  • green tea
  • garlic
  • onions
  • Salmon (wild)
  • Grass-fed meats
  • Pastured eggs
  • Strawberries
  • Almonds
  • Walnuts

6. Important Tip: *check your B vitamins and your multi vitamin for methylated forms of B12 and folic acid* I cannot stress the importance of methyl donors from food, supplements and healthy functioning detoxification pathways in your body. Your vitamin should say: methylcobalamin (b12) and methyl folate or natural folate (folic acid) 7. How well are you methylating?  Simple tests can screen your methylation pathways.  Ask your Doctor or healthcare professional.

  • CBC
  • Homocysteine
  • Methylmalonic acid
  • Urinary organic acids.

~ Dr. Sherri

photo credit: Rubber Dragon via photopin cc


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I’m a Bad MTHFR

I'm a bad MTHFR .com black

That’s right.  I am a bad MTHFR, and I want you to know about it.  It’s a simple fact and perhaps the number one reason I pursued an education in natural health.  Of course, unless  you’re a bad MTHFR too, I need to clarify.

I have a few key genetic mutations that limit my ability to process certain nutrients.  I’m at a higher risk for a constellation of health conditions from depression to infertility to dementia.  Awesome, right?  I guess I’m in the right profession.

It was about 6 years ago when I heard a lecture by Dr. John Berrardi on genetics and nutrition.  He figured the future of individualized nutrition would involve the complex web of genetics, using the term nutrigenomics, I believe.

Having studied along side Dr. Ben Lynch, one of the foremost researchers in the area of nutrigenomics, I’d personally been intrigued by the possibilities.  But the moment Dr. Ben transitioned his entire practice and focus to nutrition and genetics, I knew this was going to be big.  For the past couple of years, I have taken a special interest in discovering how diet and lifestyle, even individual nutrients influences the expression of our genes.  I see this frequently in practice so, “Why does one person thrive off a certain diet while the next person tanks?”  “Why do certain nutrients completely resolve one person’s health issues and create symptoms in the next?”  Resolving a client’s health issues takes on a new level of depth when you consider individual genetic make-up.  Now  we can and it’s fascinating, confusing, complicated… I’m convinced it can’t be overlooked.

When 23andMe came out with their ridiculously detailed (and inexpensive) genetic test, I was on board from the start with my family and me.  This is how I discovered I’m a BAD MTHFR… and so much more.

I’ve written extensively about the MTHFR gene mutations in the past.  So today, I won’t bore you with the details, but to bring you up to speed, methylation plays an essential role in how you feel (I think the 23andMe test gives about 70 genetic markers just for your methylation).  Methylation occurs billions of times per second in your body and everything from your energy levels and your mental health to your success at getting pregnant and having a healthy kid are affected.

I was surprised to learn, out of the 2 most well characterized methylation genes, MTHFR C677T and MTHFR A1298C, meaning I only have 1 good copy of each.  This is currently considered the most severe of the methylation defects and probably explains my interest in this field from such an early age.  I was young when I realized that I have to take better care of myself than the average person to feel well.

People think it’s scary to discover issues with their genetics.  Admittedly, I was scared when I first learned about my increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes and other conditions.  But now I’m grateful because there’s so much I can do to change or prevent the outcomes.  My genes contain potentials not confirmed diagnoses.  I’m convinced if you’re scared of your genetics, it’s at least in part because you’re unaware of the recent advances in the understanding of genetics.  I have good news.  Whether your genetics (good or bad) express themselves in health or dis-ease, is a function of a constellation of influences in your lifestyle, not just their presence in your genes.

Knowing your genetics allows you some control over whether you remain healthy or become sick.  I feel that’s pretty cool and find it very empowering.  I can now take more preventative measures and order more detailed preventative labs and stave off blood sugar issues years before they would ever become problematic.  In the end my genetics revealed my individual needs in a way no other test can, as yet.

I find myself interpreting other doctor’s 23andMe results frequently because there are so few experts across the nation.  With a recent well-known doctor/author’s 23andMe raw data results, I was able to describe her health complaints without even having met with her.  She had complex health issues, which like myself, brought her into the field of medicine.  To her credit and thanks to her training, she had managed over 30 years to tweak her diet and lifestyle enough to manage many of her issues.   She had arrived at the conclusions about some of the foods she needed to avoid, supplements and meds she should avoid and which ones to take.  The difference is that it took her the past 30 years of research, self exploration and clinical experience with patients to find her answers.  We were able to sum it all up from 1 genetic panel.  This is just remarkable to me.

So, I am a bad MTHFR and I am proud of it.  I am blessed because knowing my genetic potential started me on a course of health and wellness at a young age.  And now that technology is catching up, I finally have a blueprint to help me understand some of the health concerns I’ve had over the years.  I can finally see why I have a low tolerance for stress, am sensitive to many meds and supplements, have never done well with coffee, alcohol or green tea.  I can see how to focus my plan on prevention of diabetes and how to optimally process hormones.

I hope you’re not afraid of your genetics and that you want as much information about your health as you can get.  We only have one body in this life and we want it to function at it highest level.  When we know better we can do better.


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Personalized Nutrition is Here

Imagine… we can now get a genetic sample from your saliva, retrieve hundreds of little hidden gems of information about your health and tailor a unique plan that works for YOU.  This simple and informative test has never before been available to you and me.

Methylation: Cool topic, unsexy name.

If you have been in to see me in the past year (individually, during the Metabolic Cleanse or simply follow my blog), you have probably heard me talk about something called methylation, a process responsible for almost every cellular function in the body, from DNA repair (read – cancer prevention, quality of life, and longevity) and regulating inflammation (read – lowered pain and reduced risk of cardiovascular events) to detoxifying and dealing with stress.

I’m sorry I don’t have a sexier term for methylation but hopefully by the end of this blog you’ll forgive the blandness and you’ll just want more of it.

Here’s why I’ve been talking about methylation.  It happens billions of times per second in your body – so it’s fairly important.  When methylation pathways go wrong, as in the case of MTHFR (and no, it is not a dirty word) enzyme defect, sometimes severe health outcomes result.  With MTHFR enzyme defect, key methylation enzymes are not able to effectively metabolize B-vitamins, neurotransmitters, hormones and protect the body by efficiently carrying out basic detoxification.  The compounding effect is you feel like dirt, you don’t know why and few practitioners would know where to begin to help you.

Methylation: The Most Exciting Area of Natural Medicine Today.

You might consider me an early-adopter when it comes to working with methylation defects, not because it’s new but because it’s stinking complicated and few practitioners have committed the time and energy to master it.  I’ve discovered that individuals with known methylation defects can run circles around most practitioners on the topic.  It’s essentially its own language and with few practitioners able to speak it, individuals have had to study up on their own, develop support groups and help each other.  On a side, I have to say it’s pretty beautiful to watch this community of caring and motivated individuals.

So, I’ve been learning the language and the clinical application for some time and working with select clients but this is the first time I am making a very public announcement about it.  In my opinion this is the most exciting new area of natural medicine and personalized care today.  It blows my mind.  Stay with me as I share my initial hesitation in going big with it.

Brian Cox and SherriWhy I’m Telling You Now.

If you came by my office in the last few months, you may have met the 4th year Naturopathic Medical Intern working with me. (Yeah Brian, for wanting to practice someday in South Carolina!)

One day he says to me, “I am a little scared for you!”  “Why?”, I ask. “Because you love utilizing this extremely complicated test in your practice.  I see the time and energy you put into interpreting these panels.  If you keep this up, you won’t be able to see many people.”

His comment struck a cord with me, but I don’t think it was the one he meant.

So, other than a few blogs, I have been keeping it close, reserving the service for my inner circle of patients and Cleanse folks.  When I first started interpreting these tests, it would take me 8-10 hours or more to interpret one test.  Despite its value, clearly you can see the practical limitations of implementing it.

I look around at my colleagues and we’re all talking about it because we want to offer it but the learning curve is super steep and there’s really only a “handful” of practitioners qualified to interpret and utilize them accurately.  And, of course, most of them can’t take on new clients.  Well, I’ve tackled the learning curve now, but it’s still an extremely detailed test and my interpretation time is still around 2-3 hours.  But still, can it work?  I began thinking….

Personalized Care: Wellness and Prevention.

Brian reminded me of my two greatest areas of passion and the two greatest concerns for my patients.

  1. Personalized, preventative care – I know what it is like to not get personalized care… I was very sick once, too. I felt like a number, a lab value. It was a terrible experience.  According to my numbers, and after only a few minutes with the practitioner, I was to be on a medication for the rest of my life.  I refused to accept that.  I wanted another way.  I found it and now I bring that to my patients.  But now, there’s a test that takes personalized care to a distinct new level.  One that provides insights into exactly how you’re made up and how and why your body responds to everything in your environment and lifestyle…. that’s awesome.
  2. Detoxification – This is a cornerstone of life today.  Sadly, life is polluted – chemicals, negative thoughts, bad food, too much media, our fast-paced lifestyle, and on.  I’m no alarmist but we have challenges our parents didn’t face and that we can’t ignore.  We lose sight of the magnitude of it because it’s simply how we live.  But, unlike our parents, we absolutely have to be concerned with our exposures.  We must take steps to lead cleaner, healthier lives, actively avoid the multitude of toxicity in our lives, and of course, routinely detoxify from it.  But, if you’re not methylating, you’re not detoxifying.

One Invaluable Lab Test.

For the first time, we have the ability to take your genetic makeup and discover how and why it affects your unique health.  If you’re like me, I thought someone, somewhere, could do this years ago but not like this.  This is completely new.  And, even better, it’s an inexpensive, non-invasive and simple saliva test.  A test that reveals hundreds of little hidden gems of information about YOU that we’ve never before been able to see.  For us it’s a deep look into your genes, your biochemistry and your ability to methylate… what you get is absolutely personalized care.

What we need to embrace is that genes are not set in stone like we once believed.  New research has proven this old thinking is hugely insufficient.  It’s now understood that your genes are simply part of the foundation of who you are (like a recipe) but how those genes are expressed or not (how the recipe turns out) depends on your environment (the ingredients, the oven, etc…).

Epigenetics: Another Cool Topic, Another Unsexy Name

This new area of personalized care called epigenetics (again, a very unsexy term) shows us how the food you eat, the nutrients you absorb, the thoughts you think, the air you breathe, etc… interact and affect how your individual recipe turns out.  You see, you may have the genes for cancer, or diabetes or heart disease, or whatever but never develop it because the correct environment prevents the genes from becoming problematic.  Now, we can see how and why.  And if they are problematic, we can take steps to minimize them or change them back.

Check out this 13 minute PBS video on epigenetics – absolutely fascinating:

Epigenetics accounts largely for how twins can be so different.  It’s explains why a cloned cow, genetically identical to its “parent” cow, can have completely different genetic expression demonstrated plainly by different black and white patterning.

Enough about twins and cows…

For you, we can determine:

  • Is coffee good or bad for you?  (You actually can’t tell from how it makes you feel… it’s deeper.)
  • How effective are you at detoxification (key to quality of life and longevity.)
  • Do you need more of certain nutrients, B-vitamins, antioxidants, and which ones?
  • How does your brain function?  Prone to anxiety or depression?  We can see how you create and breakdown neurotransmitters?
  • Should we focus on preventing an increased risk of Alzheimer’s?
  • Do you need a high or low protein diet? Low sulphur diet? More molybdenum food?
  • Are your cells prone to early death?
  • Why do you bruise easily?
  • Why are you sensitive to smells?
  • Overly sensitive to foods in the diet, chemicals in the air–why?
  • Prone to high cholesterol and elevated blood pressure?

Some of this may seem arbitrary but when it comes together as part of your whole recipe it could really mean the difference between face-down-on-the-couch depression and youthful, unbridled energy.  Your genes can have polar opposite expressions as determined by how your lifestyle interacts with them.

Epigenetics: Why it’s Invaluable.

In a patient care setting, even the best available approach to any of your care may miss completely if it doesn’t respect your unique makeup.  Now, with this information at our fingertips, we can better tailor a plan that honors your genetic needs.  This is personalized care at its best!

It seems fair to ask, “If this test is so great, why haven’t I heard about it?”  I’m not sure but I suppose it comes down to its complexity.  The time and energy commitment for a practitioner to understand methylation defects and ultimately offer them on a one-on-one basis seems to be the hurdle.  It almost stopped me and certainly slowed me down.

So the test I highly recommend is 23andMe.  I believe it’s the most cost effective and detailed test available.  (I have no affiliation with this company and neither I nor HealthE Coaching receive any incentives for recommending or using their service.)

23andMe is a DNA analysis service that offers a comprehensive genetic scan of a subset of the SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in your genome which correspond to the SNP data being studied by the research community.

The Really Good Stuff’s in the Raw Data

Now the results that you receive are cool, but the good stuff is in the raw data.  The raw data, consisting of about 19 pages of specifics, contains around 300 hundred comprehensive markers of your health (no wonder it takes me so long to interpret!).  This data is yours, FOREVER – remember, your genes don’t change; it’s their expression that does.  Every few months or years you can go back in and evaluate the latest research on your genetic markers and continue to individualize your program… brilliant!

By now, I’ve interpreted a lot of these tests for my patients, and guess what, they are spot on.  It’s wild when you can explain life traits and events that have never even been brought up in our sessions.  They paint an extremely detailed picture of the individual – how they process nutrients, how well they detox, where they need support and what kind of symptoms they might have… even whether you think cilantro tastes like soap or you can smell asparagus metabolites in your urine.  Who knows the value there, but you get the picture.

  “Utilizing the raw data from genetic testing (from 23andMe) has allowed me to take individualized care to a whole new level. Along with a detailed intake, screening labs and genetic testing, we no longer have to make educated guesses at what someone needs to optimize their nutrition. We can now put all of the pieces of someone’s unique puzzle together. These advancements are a gift to individualized and effective patient care.” ~ Dr. Sherri

While I have recognized the importance of this testing for some time, Brian made me realize I can’t keep it close any longer.  I need to let more people know about it regardless of the challenge it presents.

Methylation Defects: Time to get the word out.

It’s time to go big.

I will be taking a limited number of clients each month to analyze their raw data from their 23andMe test. This is exclusively for folks who have had an initial comprehensive visit with me.

Who needs to get the 23andMe test done? In my experience it’s anyone with:

  • Personal or family history of cardiovascular issues
  • Infertility, or a history of miscarriage
  • Unexplained symptoms
  • Poor tolerance of medications and supplements
  • Chronic health complaints related to toxicity: skin issues, digestive problems, headaches, foggy brain, poor memory, anxiety/depression, mood disorders.
  • Methylation defect related conditions
  • Or really, the individual who wants to live long and prosper by taking their unique health to the next level. 🙂

How it Works:

Get the detailed genetic profile done through 23andMe**.  It only costs $199 but it takes about 1 month to get the results from the lab.  The time delay stinks but again this is an extremely detailed test.  Once you receive your results, schedule an appointment and get me the raw data.  Together, in light of your results, we’ll develop a detailed plan for you.  And, here’s the cool thing to me… your gene expression is defined by the whole of your lifestyle and therefore so is the approach to care.  We’re not talking about surgery, or meds, or who knows what.  We’re talking science-based natural medicine and I love that.

**Again this is only for people who have had an Initial Comprehensive Appointment with me, not just an intro phone consult.  Detailed knowledge of the individual is necessary for accurate interpretation of how the genes are actually affected.

**Each day more information is published about the details and implications of these various genetic markers. As we learn more, we can go back to your panel and review – genetic markers won’t change, but our understating of them will. This $199 test will provide you with years and years of individualized care.

Review some of my previous blogs about methylation:

Breast Health and Epigentics

MTHFR Mutations: Guide to Understanding

MTHFR and Related Conditions

Do I Look Healthy in These Genes

If I Had to Start the Aging Process All Over Again, I Would….

Supplements, Should You Be Taking Them?

And don’t forget to get my Free MAD DOC Supplement Guide to determine how good your supplements are – I created it specifically with methylation in mind.

Please share this information with close friends and family.  They don’t have to do this through me by any means but they need to know it now exists.  It has saved a lot of people a lot of time, money and emotional energy to finally get the answers they’ve been seeking.

Share your questions and comments below.