107: How the MTHFR Gene Affects Our Metabolic Health with Dr. Ben Bikman

Video Description

📢 Ask Dr. Bikman’s Digital Mind: https://benbikman.com/ben-bikmans-digital-ai-mind 📢 Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com and/or 📢 Become an Insider, Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com In this Metabolic Classroom lecture, Dr. Bikman explores the MTHFR gene and how common mutations can affect overall metabolic health. Ben explains the biochemical role of the MTHFR enzyme in the methylation cycle, its influence on homocysteine levels, and its downstream impact on DNA repair, neurotransmitter synthesis, and detoxification. Ben also discusses how impaired MTHFR function contributes to oxidative stress and insulin resistance, particularly through its effect on the insulin receptor’s expression and membrane insertion. He draws attention to the connection between poor methylation and chronic conditions like fatigue, hormone imbalance, and even cardiovascular risk. The lecture also provides practical strategies to support healthy methylation, including the use of methylated B vitamins (such as methylfolate and methylcobalamin), food sources like liver, and appropriate cooking methods for plant-based folate. His emphasis throughout is on using targeted nutrition and lifestyle choices to compensate for genetic vulnerabilities. Show Notes/References: For complete show notes and references, we invite you to become an Insider subscriber. You’ll enjoy real-time, livestream Metabolic Classroom access which includes live Q&A with Ben after the lecture, ad-free podcast episodes, show notes and references, online Office Hours access, Ben’s Research Review Podcast, and a searchable archive that includes all Metabolic Classroom episodes and Research Reviews. Learn more: https://www.benbikman.com Translation Notes: You can click the gear icon at the bottom of this video to auto-translate captions. For example, to translate into Polish, select Subtitles, choose Auto-Translate, then first choose English, then choose Auto-Translate again, then choose Polish.) In addition, our channel has first access to YouTube’s new, innovative “auto-dubbing” feature. The process currently supports translations from English into many languages, with more to come. Click on the gear icon, then choose “Audio track” to access. #MTHFR, #MetabolicHealth, #InsulinResistance, #Methylation, #BenBikman, #Homocysteine, #Folate, #MTHFRMutation, #FunctionalMedicine, #Nutrigenomics, #B12, #B6, #LiverHealth, #OxidativeStress, #Mitochondria, #HormoneHealth, #DNARepair, #FattyLiver, #NutritionalGenetics, #HealthOptimization Timestamps (approximate): 00:00 – Introduction to MTHFR 01:38 – What the MTHFR Gene Does 03:45 – Methylation: The Critical Pathway 06:08 – Common MTHFR Gene Variants 08:15 – MTHFR and Homocysteine 11:05 – Effects of High Homocysteine 14:32 – MTHFR and Insulin Resistance 17:44 – Methylation and Gene Expression 20:05 – Folate vs. Folic Acid 21:53 – Best Food Sources of Folate 23:10 – Summary and Takeaways Ben’s favorite yerba maté and fiber supplement: https://ufeelgreat.com/usa/en/c/1BA884 Ben’s favorite meal-replacement shake: https://gethlth.com (discount: BEN10) Ben’s favorite allulose source: https://rxsugar.com (discount: BEN20) Ben’s favorite health check-up for women: https://choosejoi.co/drben15 (discount: DRBEN15) Ben’s favorite health check-up for men: https://blokes.co/drben15 (discount: DRBEN15) Ben’s favorite exogenous ketone: https://ketone.com/BEN30 (discount: BEN30) Other products Ben likes: https://www.amazon.com/shop/benbikmanphd