As we approach the final week of the Sugar Fast, I want to say I’M SO PROUD OF YOU!! There are a lot of questions that will be answered as we exercise patience one day at a time, and persevere to the end!
The Lord has been putting PATIENCE on my heart. When our bodies start doing funny things or hurting or changing, we have a tendency to panic. If we are feeling “panicked” or want all the answers immediately or feel frustrated in the waiting, this is a good sign to breathe.
Remember, you signed up for a fast, not a diet or doctor’s appointment, so there are many things you will have to seek Dr. Jesus for. This will be uncomfortable for some people. We are praying for breakthrough & revelation!
Also remember, not everything we are teaching or suggesting will apply to every single one of us! Again, this is the reason we continue to point you to the Lord for wisdom & personal discernment & revelation. While this may be uncomfortable, it is for each of our good & God’s glory. We are learning to turn away from asking people, social media, the internet, etc… and seeking Jesus first and in ALL things. He will calm the storm. He will lead you. He will strengthen you and lead you in the discomfort. Also, the final day of content & Facebook Live teachings with Alisa and I will advise you on how to self-assess and come off the fast.
If you are feeling antsy, like you must have the answers right now, this could be a “symptom” that we may need to ask God for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit. In our flesh, we can become impatient. But in Christ, as we “walk in the Spirit,” we grow in PATIENCE. Remember, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Ultimately, God can and will show you individually how to proceed after these 21 days . Give Him the space and a chance to speak to you in a new way.
Now, on to today’s teaching.
People with one or more MTHF-R gene variants need to support their body’s methylation cycle throughout life with organic, whole foods, folate-rich foods, regular cleansing. Often they also need to supplement, at minimum, with methylfolate or folinic acid (Vitamin B9), while avoiding folic acid, which is the synthetic, man-made version of Vitamin B9.
Both the C677T and A1298C MTHF-R gene variants have strong association with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down’s syndrome, Spina bifida, lip and tongue ties, cleft palates, and other “midline” and neural tube birth defects in children due to the improper assimilation of folate (and the inability to utilize folic acid, which was the most common source of Vitamin B9 in prenatal vitamins until recently).
The person with a C677T MTHF-R gene variant is more likely to have elevated homocysteine levels on bloodwork, which is often associated with inflammation, heart/cardiovascular disease, a history of blood clots, and/or high cholesterol that resists change even with the proper diet. Statin drugs are not the answer for these people.
The person with A1298C is more likely to present with autoimmune disease (Hashimoto’s, Lupus, food allergies, etc), brain fog, mental health struggles (ie: depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s or dementia), hormone problems (endometriosis, estrogen dominance, severe PMS, difficult menopause), fibromyalgia, infertility, miscarriages, pregnancy complications, and postpartum depression. Some other signs that point to a malfunctioning methylation cycle are histamine intolerance, poor metabolism, insomnia, anxiety or long health history of symptoms that Doctors haven’t been able to figure out.
Having one (or more) of these genetic variations is a key factor in almost every patient I’ve worked with who has any significant, chronic health struggles. Problems arise when methylation is happening slower (or faster!) than it should be. The methylation cycle slows down when it doesn’t have enough methyl-supportive nutrients and speeds up when it has too many.
A small percentage of people with MTHF-R are over-methylators (like me!), and they will feel worse if they take methylfolate. Some signs that you are over-methylating are headaches, irritability, racing heart and mind, severe mood swings, body pain or itchy skin. This can also happen after you’ve been supplementing with methyfolate for awhile. Your body is letting you know it now has enough methylation support and it’s time to lower your dose or stop the supplement until you feel yourself going backward again.
There is not a one-size-fits-all “protocol” or “healthy diet” for MTHF-R. However, a grain-free, sugar-free diet is a great, safe place to start. Under the care of a properly-trained holistic doctor who knows functional nutrition and epigenetics, even patients with the most severe diseases and diagnoses can improve and heal when you effectively support the methylation cycle and address other root causes. A sick body needs to be detoxified and nourished with the proper methylation support, targeted herbs and supplements, and a healthy diet and lifestyle in order to heal. So if this describes YOU, you are on your way to better health. Knowledge is power! We can’t change our genes, but we can absolutely change their expression!
-Dr. Jana @ Revelation Wellness
I love Advent. I love the Christmas season. I love the traditions and the gift giving and the smiling! Smiling is my favorite!!! Okay, sorry, I just got finished watching Elf and decorating the Christmas tree with my family, so I am feeling all the feels!! But seriously, I do love the anticipation that our holiday season brings.
I’m a modern guy. For the most part I understand the latest gadgets, trends, and fashion. Sometimes I even impress my kids with knowledge of current music and media or know when to LOL in a text message. Even before we built our family, I was aware of the differences between how men and women faced grief and loss. Men tend to turn inward and just muscle thru it. Get back to work, or find a new hobby, or do whatever seems to distract from the cause of the grief and sooner or later it will pass. Women, in general, work thru loss as a process of steps gradually bringing normalcy back thru emotion, discussion, reasoning, nurturing and finally the “new normal”. The new normal may or may not look the same as the old normal, but it is the result of the process.
A Mind, Body, Spirit Teaching by Alisa Keeton