Tags
acid reflux, Antibiotics, bloating, Digestion, Folic Acid, gas, Gut, malabsorption, MTHFR, Overmethylation, probiotics, SIBO
The health of the gut determines the health of the body. This is a well-known fact. There are roughly 100 trillion cells inside our bodies, yet the there about 10x as many cells of bacteria living on our bodies. This mass of bacteria lives in harmony with us (most of the time) and helps make sure our immune system is functioning and we are able to digest our food. Without these bacteria in our gut and on our skin, we wouldn’t survive long.
That is all good news but what happens when these bacteria become imbalanced? What are the implications to our health when we have an overgrowth of bacteria in the gut? As we will see, when the small intestine is overwhelmed with bacteria (diagnosed as Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth – SIBO) it can have major impacts on our methylation cycle…it can make methylation problems much worse!
As a quick reminder, those of us with MTHFR, PEMT, MTR, MTRR, etc. have defects in how well we recycle homocysteine and how well we convert folic acid into folate. Many of you are aware of Dr. Lynch and his concept that folic acid is a toxin for those with MTHFR. While there is still some debate about this issue, Dr. Lynch is right on when he points out that having too much folic acid can impair the methylation cycle. Here is how it works:
1) Folic acid comes from fortified food AND from gut bacteria. Yes, you heard that right…folic acid is a NATURAL by product of the metabolism of bacteria that live in our intestines, mainly the colon. Every person on earth gets some folic acid into their bodies from the action of our gut bacteria.
We get in trouble when the bacteria in our colon grows and moves into the small intestine. Normally only a small amount of bacteria is found in the small intestine, but when the digestive system becomes imbalanced the population of bacteria in the small intestine can increase, creating a condition of SIBO.
2) Folic acid and folate both enter the cell through the same receptor. If there is an excess of folic acid, it is harder for the folate to get into the cell. The more folic acid you have inside your blood stream, the less often folate will get to the receptor. In other words, there is competition between folic acid and folate, and when folic acid is elevated, it wins the competition to enter the cell.
3) In a person WITHOUT MTHFR issues, this poses zero problems since folic acid is rapidly converted to folate in their methylation cycle. For the rest of us however excess folic acid makes it harder for us to create methyl donors. Since MTHFR is often slowed down along with MTR, MTRR, BHMT and other SNPs, having high doses of folic acid may slow down the methylation cycle. This is why folic acid in high amounts can be a problem.
There is new research that shows that the bacteria involved with SIBO actually poop out large amounts of folic acid (yes the dreaded folic acid!) and we absorb that folic acid into our bodies. Many individuals with MTHFR C677T/A1298C, MTR, BHMT, etc. may have symptoms of under- or overmethylation due solely to the excess folic acid from improper gut bacteria and digestion. An imbalance of the gut bacteria, namely in the small intestine, is a major reason WHY an individual has elevated unmetatoblized folic acid. If we are going to balance methylation pathways, we need to control how much folic acid gets into the system. – we have to control the gut!
In other words, until the gut infection is properly taken care of, the methylation cycle is at the mercy of what is happening in the gut. The same is true of important vitamins like choline, B12, vitamin D, protein, etc…the gut imbalance makes it very difficult to absorb these vitamins. Side effects from vitamins are most commonly due to an untreated gut problem.
When someone has SIBO, or an overgrowth of “non-pathogenic” (aka normal species of gut flora) bacteria in the small intestine, the bacterial infection can produce EXCESS AMOUNTS OF FOLIC ACID! Too many bacteria in your gut, can lead to way too much folic acid being released and absorbed. This can lead to high blood levels of folic acid, which as Dr. Lynch and other researchers have shown, can impair the methylation cycle in people with MTHFR and other genes. What I have just discovered is that one important and often-overlooked source of this increased, UNMETABOLIZED Folic Acid is a raging Gut Infection!
This gut infection, aka SIBO, is an infection made up of non-infectious bacteria. Meaning, its not an infection in the traditional sense, its an overgrowth of something that should normally be there, only exists in way too high of a quantity. This is a problem since the bacteria down there can produce folic acid while at the same time causing all kinds of other digestive issues.
As I will show in the next video, SIBO can be caused by antibiotics, proton-pump inhibitor drugs, chronic leaky gut, ileocecal valve dysfunction, and chronic stress. All of these triggers make it easier for the bacteria that normally lives in the colon, to make its way up into the small intestine where it doesn’t belong. In fact, those individuals who have been on long-term antibiotics and/or proton-pump inhibitors often have the most challenging methylation issues. The reason is that those drugs – antibiotics and acid reflux medication – make is much more likely to get a Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth. And with SIBO comes excess folic acid, low b12 and a host other malnutrition/methylation issues.
Common health issues associated with SIBO include:
- Low B12
- High Folic Acid
- Low Iron
- Low Vitamin A, D, E, and K
- Low Omega 3’s and other fatty acids
- Difficulty gaining weight / failure to thrive
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Abdominal Pain
- Food in stool
- Fat in stool
- GB disease
- Acid reflux
- Malabsorption
- Difficuly losing weight / obesity
- and much more…
Many patients with methylation issues are dealing with the symptoms I’ve just listed above. The take away point is to realize that in order to heal the methylation cycle, you have to heal the gut. Every supplement you take, every food, every beverage interacts with the bacteria in your gut. If the gut is imbalanced and you have too much bacteria in the small intestine, you are likely going to have luke warm results until you treat the gut problem. If someone is suffering from a digestive problem like SIBO with symptoms like the ones I’ve listed, it is going to be very difficult to fix the methylation issues until the gut is working better.
Because the bacteria in the small intestine have the ability to produce folic acid, many patients are suffering because their body is full of folic acid and they don’t have enough folate. Dr. Lynch demonstrates that because folic acid can starve the cell of needed folate (L 5-methyltetrahydrofolate) it can weaken the methylation cycle. And since the SIBO infection continously produces folic acid, I’m not sure taking more folate is the answer.
In our office we have learned to treat the gut first, making sure to clear out the gut infection before embarking on supporting methylation. Through trial and error we have learned that until the gut bacteria is working properly, there cannot be methylation balance. The research discussed in the videos above also supports this idea as well. We all know having too much folic acid can create an imbalance. I believe the many patients with digestive symptoms like bloating, reflux, gas, and abdominal pain of a chronic nature are suffering from some form of SIBO. I also believe that unmetabolized folic acid is a SIDE EFFECT of a gut infection. Even if someone avoids fortified foods and high doses of folic acid, just having SIBO means they can still be absorbing folic acid directly from the gut itself.
If you or someone you know is dealing with digestive issues and is concerned about methylation problems, then please contact my office. We have developed effective, safe, and natural approaches to clear the gut infection quickly to make way for the more long-term healing methylation support. Once the gut has been restored and is working properly, the body will be able to heal much more effectively and the methylation cycle can then be addressed.
Yours In Health,
Dr. Rostenberg
By studying the current peer-reviewed research, Dr. Rostenberg has discovered powerful, natural strategies to restore your gut and heal your body. He can help you uncover the genetic or root causes of your health problem and find a natural solution! If you would like help with your methylation genetics to improve your gut function and reduce/eliminate your symptoms, please contact Dr. Rostenberg at Red Mountain Natural Medicine today. Phone 208-322-7755. Email redmountainclinic@gmail.com. Website http://www.redmountainclinic.com
Paula Eisenberger said:
How do you normally treat SIBO? I currently am suffering from SIBO and have had little luck eradicating it. It came on suddenly after eating spoiled chicken.
drrostenberg said:
SIBO is treated through a combination of powerful, safe, and effective nutrients and supplements. Drugs are not necessary and actually do more harm than good (this topic will be addressed in the second video). I would suggest that your spoiled chicken did the following: The bacteria growing on the chicken entered your stomach but your stomach acid wasn’t strong enough to kill all the bacteria in the food. Normally the stomach acid protects us from this issue when it is working properly. Then the spoiled meat entered your small intestine and the bacteria stayed in that area and began to grow. As you eat food, the food goes into the small intestine and if there is bacteria there the bugs will eat the food first. Over time this give the bacteria first access to the fertilizer (food) you are eating, and so naturally the bacteria continue to grow. This is why it is hard to eradicate…every time you eat a meal or take a vitamin there is a chance it will cause the bad bacteria to grow. I understand how this problem works and I can help you fix it naturally. Please reach out to my office 208-322-7755 or redmountainclinic@gmail.com if you would like my assistance in treating your SIBO. In Health – Dr. Rostenberg
Julie Martin said:
Excellent Dr. Rostenberg. Thank you for sharing the “Ah Ha” moment the Gut is producing Folic Acid and that is how increased exposure is happening even when a person does not eat “enriched” foods! Super helpful! Also hoping that Robert and Linda Hendricks take advantage of your wonderful health talks and health care. THey live in Boise too!
In Gratitude,
Julie A. Martin, DC
drrostenberg said:
Thank you Dr. Julie…I appreciate your positive feedback!
In Health,
Dr. Rostenberg
Mary Anne Prost said:
I enjoyed the video very much, plan to share it with others, and look forward to seeing part 2. I found that I wasn’t able to make out the particular SNPs shown in the graphics under Methylation and IgA. Even with my glasses and a magnifying glass, I couldn’t make them all out, especially the GADs. If you feel it’s important to know if we have SNPs in the genes shown in the graphics, would you please share them in a larger format.
Thanks much.
Mary Anne Prost
mprost1208@gmail.com
drrostenberg said:
Hello Mary Anne,
Thank you for your comment. You ask a good question about which SNPs are in the video. The video shows MTHFR, MTRR, MTR, ACE, GAD, COMT, MAO-A in those slides. There are other SNPs that combine with these as also. The take away message from the relationship b/t methylation and gut problems is that SIBO is very common and produces elevated levels of folic acid into the body. Many patients are suffering from symptoms of overmethylation – they take “good” supplements but actually feel worse. Now how is that possible? It is only possible if the gut bacteria are eating the vitamins FIRST, then pooping out something that the body doesn’t need. In the case of MTHFR and SIBO we are talking about how imbalanced gut bacteria leads to a toxic level of vitamin B9. This causes overmethylation, disturbs people with MTHFR and other genes…generally wreaks havok on our biochemistry. If you would like more help dealing with your unique issues, then please reach out! 208-322-7755 or redmountainclinic@gmail.com – Dr. Rostenberg
Pingback: MTHFR and SIBO Part II – The Three Causes of SIBO | Beyond MTHFR
Keith said:
Thanks for a very informative video Dr Rostenberg. Just a small question about the ‘leaky valve at the exit of the small intestine. Is that cured as part of your natural treatment or is there need for surgery.
drrostenberg said:
Hi Corona, the leaky valve is a muscle, and like other muscles, when it is correctly massaged and taken care of, it works properly and prevents the leaky gut issues. Any skilled chiropractor trained in Applied Kinesiology can help fix this problem, without drugs or surgery, and usually in a very short time. Hope that helps. – Dr. Rostenberg
artbylizb said:
Thank you for your informative videos. I have been devouring them and think the answer is definitely my gut.
Over methylation due to being treated for homozygous C677T has made my body go CRAZY in response. Pain, neuropathy, hair falling out, bowel incontinence and debilitating hay fever. I am frightened and cry a lot (not intentionally). Don’t want my depression to return. I am homozygous for MTHFR, MAO, MTHRR, MTHFD1L, DAO, FOLR1 & 2, GAD, NOS, TCN2 and VDR and heterozygous for PEMT, MTRR, MTHFS, FUT2, CBS, BHMT and ACT.
I have since made an appointment with a clinic in Australia, but can’t get in till March 2015. Is there anything I can do till then to help stop the downward slide. I have been eating Paleo since October, including nothing processed, making my own bone broth, drinking kefir, lots of leafy greens and am stumped as to what next.
Thank you so much if you reply, as I realize the pressure on your time. Liz
drrostenberg said:
Hello Liz,
Thank you for reaching out and sending me a message. Your history is a perfect example of what happens when you throw high amounts of fertilizer (methylfolate) into a body that isn’t ready or willing to accept that much stimulus. In other words, taking the B-vitamins and other nutrients without dealing with the gut (when there is a gut issue) leads to symptoms such as yours. The bacteria we harbor in our bodies are necessary for life, but they often become imbalanced, excessive in growth and aggressive. This leads to the bacteria releasing all kinds of chemicals when you eat good healthy food and take good healthy vitamins. The reason your body is reacting this way is that you are reacting to what the bacteria are releasing into your system, rather than benefiting from the vitamins themselves. I can help you unravel this problem and find a natural solution. I work with Aussies via Skype and we can connect live in person if you wish for my help. In Health, Dr. Rostenberg. redmountainclinic@gmail.com