Nutrigenomics: What the MTHFR is going on? (Part two)
With the introduction of mandatory folic acid fortification in non-wholemeal wheat flour from December 2026, a lot of people on social media are worrying about a gene called MTHFR. I want to discuss why we need to look beyond this one gene understand the bigger picture which is methylation and folate metabolism.
Have you ever wondered why two people can eat a similar diet, follow the same advice and still have very different experiences with their health?
Our genes are part of the explanation. They influence how our bodies process nutrients and carry out important biochemical processes. But genes don't tell the whole story; our diet, lifestyle, environment all play a part too.
This is where nutrigenomics comes in. It helps us explore how our genes interact with nutrition and lifestyle and why understanding these differences can offer useful insights into our individual health.
If you want to read more about the new legislation, research and what it means you can do so here: Folic Acid in Flour: What's Changing and Why Does It Matter?.
What is Nutrigenomics?
"If your DNA sequence is the written script or code of life, epigenetics is the director that decides which lines get spoken, whispered or skipped entirely." This analogy, used by the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine, offers a helpful way to think about the relationship between our genes and the world around us.
Nutrigenomics explores how food and nutrients interact with our genes and influence how they function. It helps us understand why people may respond differently to the same diet and how genetic variations can influence the way we process and use nutrients.
Our genes provide instructions for making proteins, including enzymes involved in digestion, nutrient metabolism and other essential processes. Genetic variations can affect how some of these proteins function, potentially influencing our nutritional needs or how we respond to particular nutrients.
And this brings us to a gene that has become a particular focus of the fortification discussion.
What the MTHFR is going on?
MTHFR is a gene that attracts a lot of attention, with online discussions linking variations to difficulties processing folic acid and our health.
MTHFR is involved in the folate cycle, helping the body produce 5-MTHF, a form of folate needed for processes including the conversion of homocysteine into methionine.
Common MTHFR variations can affect the activity of this enzyme. However, having one of these variations doesn't automatically mean you have a health problem, cannot process folic acid or need a particular supplement.
Why?
Because the important point is that MTHFR is only one part of a much wider process and doesn't dictate our health or that a particular variation automatically causes a problem. It means that our genetic make-up is one part of a much bigger picture.
Why Does Looking Beyond MTHFR Matter?
Another gene involved in folate metabolism is called DHFR. It provides the instructions for making an enzyme called dihydrofolate reductase, which helps convert folic acid into forms that can enter the wider folate pathway. This is particularly relevant when considering how the body processes synthetic folic acid.
MTHFR and DHFR have different roles. While MTHFR is often the focus of online discussions, DHFR is particularly relevant when considering how the body processes synthetic folic acid.
Our genes are one part of the picture. Diet, nutritional status, environment and other individual factors also matter. This is why it's important to look at the wider context rather than getting stuck on a single gene.
Your Genes and Your Everyday Choices
Our underlying DNA sequence can't be changed but factors such as nutrition and lifestyle greatly influence gene activity.
Nutrients including folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and choline contribute to processes involved in methylation. A varied diet containing leafy green vegetables, pulses, liver, poultry, eggs, nuts and seeds provides these nutrients.
We can't change our genes, but our everyday choices still matter.
My approach is always food first. That doesn't mean worrying about every ingredient or trying to get everything perfect. It means looking at the overall quality of our diet and the foundations that support our health. Is it nourishing, is it varied?
I picked up a loaf of bread in Lidl recently and was struck by just how long the ingredients list was, including preservatives, emulsifiers, palm oil, rapeseed oil, sugar, flour treatment agents and more. These ingredients disrupt the gut microbiome, are engineered for hyper-palatability which fail to provide satiety and encourage overeating and cause sharp spikes in blood glucose and insulin demand. Many commercial loaves hide substantial amounts of salt contributing to elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular strain.
It got me thinking: should we be worrying about one ingredient, such as folic acid, and one gene or looking at the much bigger picture? For example, Jason's bread (a loaf is £2.20-£2.80 in Tesco), although yes the flour is fortified with folic acid, but it has a much simpler ingredients list: flour, water and salt. For me, this illustrates the value of looking beyond one ingredient and considering the product as a whole. If you can make you're own with folic-acid free flour, that's fantastic, but realistically life is busy and it's not always possible.
The aim is to make informed choices, to have balance and not to become anxious about food.
Can Nutrigenomics Help us Understand Individual Differences?
Yes, nutrigenomics explores how our genes interact with nutrition. Testing can provide information about selected genetic variations that may influence how we process nutrients.
Through LifeCode GX, I offer nutrigenomics testing that looks beyond a single gene, helping us explore a broader range of genetic variations and consider whether the findings offer useful insight into your individual nutritional needs.
Genetic testing doesn't diagnose a health condition or predict your future. Its value lies in interpreting the results alongside your diet, lifestyle, nutritional status, environment, quality of your relationships, movement and more.
The introduction of folic acid fortification has brought these questions into sharper focus. Understanding the differences between folate and folic acid, recognising that genes have different roles, and considering our individual circumstances can help us make more informed decisions.
Ultimately, this isn't about fear or trying to optimise every aspect of our biology. It's about understanding how we can build strong nutritional foundations.
If you'd like to understand more about how to regulate your epigenetic process with nutrition, please download the handout 'How Food Influences Gene Expression' here.
If you're interested in how your genes may influence the way you process nutrients, you can find out more about LifeCode GX DNA testing.
If you'd like to explore this or discuss a health concern, you can book a discovery call with me.
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