Both MTHFR and COMT genes are involved in the methylation pathway and testing their function is an important component of your anti-aging strategy. Think of billions of on/off switches that control most of your body’s functions such as:

• Brain chemistry important for mood, anxiety and stress
• Immune function
• Controlling inflammation
• Energy production
• Detoxification of chemicals and toxins
• Cardiovascular health

When methylation is working, it helps you feel full of energy, in a good mood, and just generally well! When it is not working, you can feel tired, depressed, irritable, run-down, susceptible to infections, foggy-brained, and just plain "toxic." This genetic methylation profile looks for gene variants (also called SNP's) of the following two enzymes:

• MTHFR - (5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase)
• Research has shown that some people may be at risk of methylation insufficiency due to reduced MTHFR enzyme function.¹
• A variant in the MTHFR gene (C677T) may increase levels of homocysteine, a known risk factor for heart disease, atherosclerosis,² and venous thrombosis.³
• Another MTHFR variant (A1298C) may increase homocysteine levels further when the C667T variant is also present.¹
• Those with a genetic variant in MTHFR will have varying levels of difficulty creating the active form of folic acid which is the important form the body needs to function properly.
• Maintaining levels of activated folate may also aid in preventing depression.^4-6
• Those with a genetic variant in MTHFR should consider taking activated folate vs. regular folic acid.
• The best genotype to have in the C677T position is CC since it contains no variants. The worst genotype to have in this position is TT since it contains two copies of the variant.
• The best genotype to have in the A1298C position is AA since it contains no variants. The worst genotype to have is CC since it contains two copies of the variant.

• COMT - (Catechol-O-methyltransferase)
• A common variant in COMT, the conversion of the amino acid valine to methionine at position 158 causes a dramatic reduction in its ability to break down neurotransmitters.^7-9
• Since COMT is central to dopamine metabolism, variants are associated with lowered stress resiliency, increased sensitivity to pain^10,11 and the propensity to worry.
• COMT also plays a role in estrogen metabolism and may lower the cancer-causing potential of metabolites^.12
• The wildtype genotype is GG (Val/Val) since it contains no variants. The homozygous mutated genotype is AA (Met/Met) since it contains two copies of the variant.

Genetic testing allows you to see inside your own DNA in order to draw a personalized map regarding imbalances that might impact your health. Genetic variants are simply pieces of a much larger puzzle that allow you to see "potential" risks and take action in a preventative fashion. Although gene variants do not change over time, understanding them allows you to choose diet, supplementation and lifestyle changes to support good health.

Instructions

The following documents provide a full set of instructions for completing the test:

Note

Results take 2-3 weeks from when specimen is received. This test is not available in Pennsylvania. The results for this test can only be received via mail, e-mail, or fax. Since gene variants do not change over time, each person needs to be tested only once in their lifetime.

References

1. Weisberg, I et al. A second genetic polymorphism in methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) associated with decreased enzyme activity. Mol Genet Metab. 1998; 64:169–72.
2. Frosst, P et al. A candidate genetic risk factor for vascular disease: a common mutation in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. Nat Genet. 1995; 10:111–3.
3. Gemmati, D et al. C677T substitution in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene as a risk factor for venous thrombosis and arterial disease in selected patients. Haematologica. 1999; 84(9):824–8.
4. Lok A. et al. The one-carbon-cycle and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism in recurrent major depressive disorder; influence of antidepressant use and depressive state? Journal of Affective Disorders. 2014; 166:115 - 123.
5. Gilbody S et al. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genetic polymorphisms and psychiatric disorders: a HuGE review. Am J Epidem. 2007; 165:1-13.
6. Lewis SJ et al. The thermolabile variant of MTHFR is associated with depression in the British Women’s Heart and Health Study and a meta-analysis. Molec Psychiat. 2006; 11:352-360.
7. Enoch MA et al. Genetic origins of anxiety in women: a role for a functional catechol-O-methyltransferase polymorphism. Psychiatr Genet. 2003; 13:33-41.
8. Woo JM et al. The association between panic disorder and the L/L genotype of catechol-O-methyltransferase. J Psych Res. 2004; 38:365-370.
9. Smolka MN et al. Catechol-O-Methyltransferase val158met genotype affects processing of emotional stimuli in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. J Neuro Sci. 2005; 25:836-842.
10. Janicki PK. Pharmacogenetics of Pain Management. Comprehensive Treatment of Chronic Pain by Medical, Interventional, and Inegrative Approaches. Edited by TR Deers. American Academy of Pain Medicine. 2013.
11. Zubieta JK et al. COMT val158met Genotype Affects mu-opiod Neurotransmitter Responses to Pain Stressor, Science. 2003; 299(5610):1240-1243.
12. Ball P and R Knuppen. Catecholoestrogens (2-and 4-hydroxyoestrogens); chemistry, biogenesis, metabolism, occurrence and physiological significance. Acta Endrocrinol. Suppl. (Copenh). 1980;232:1-127.