At Gene Food, Dr. Gina uses her expertise to provide evidence-pieces that readers may find helpful and informative. An active subscription is required to access this content. Membership Benefits: Ho PW, Tse ZH, Liu HF, et al. Wang, L.-J., Lee, S.-Y., Chen, S.-L., Chang, Y.-H., Chen, P. S., Huang, S.-Y., Tzeng, N.-S., Chen, K. C., Lee, I. H., Wang, T.-Y., Yang, Y. K., & Lu, R.-B. This includes COMT gene testing as well as MTHFR, MTRR, CBS, SOD2, VDR, PEMT, and many more. Potatoes (all, even sweet potatoes) Coffee. But other people may have little to no response. Someone with a dirty slow COMT gene is likely to feel anxious and moody. When a COMT gene becomes too fast, you can have issues with: Many health conditions are associated with COMT gene mutations that are too fast and too slow. Yeter D, Deth R, Kuo HC. MAO inhibitors (EX: Cymbalta, Wellbutrin) are a class of medications commonly prescribed to people with depression. Clinicians often suggest that those with the rs4680 A/A genotype (slow COMT) avoid going overboard with foods and supplements considered methyl donors. Gelatin. AFS occurs when youre under stress over a long period. WebFoods to avoid with a COMT mutation and foods to eat depend on a fast or slow COMT gene. Carriers are therefore sometimes termed Worriers 9. The effects of the valine allele (faster metabolism, lower catecholamines) are easier to change than those of the methionine allele. Any statements therein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. So, it is best to avoid foods that increase catechol levels, and these include: Caffeine; Alcohol; Smoking SAMe is available in supplement form, but it is also essential to help the body make its own SAMe by eating foods high in B vitamins, especially B12, folate, and B2. All rights reserved. (Consider the chocolates as our neurotransmitters.) Of course, most of these High protein foods that contain the amino acids tryptophan, tyrosine, or phenylalanine, as these can trigger a release of catechol and be converted into dopamine in the body. Dietary quercetin exacerbates the development of estrogen-induced breast tumors in female ACI rats. Cancer patients are rarely told that adding natural, alternative therapies to their care can greatly mitigate their adverse reactions, improve the quality of their life, and give them their life back! Dr Kevin Conners. So, how do you know if your patients have a COMT enzyme malfunction? Alcohol, since it can trigger a dopamine release in your body. Those carrying two copies of the A allele of G472A, which is associated with a significant reduction in COMT activity may therefore benefit from magnesium supplementation. https://doi.org/10.2217/pgs-2019-0001 Both of these enzymes use vitamin B6 as a cofactor, in the absence of vitamin B6 the activity of both enzymes is reduced 15. Catechin-containing foods and drinks such as chocolate, wine, coffee, and green tea are metabolized via the COMT gene, and these foods are best avoided if you have a slow COMT. Often times a combination of various forms of vitamin B12 is required. Though road construction may block a single lane (as in a single allele defect) and may have little affect on traffic flow, and double lane closure (double allele defect) may cause more problems. Copyright 2020 Michael Lam, M.D. Having a lot can create anxiety, but a certain amount is necessary for focus, concentration, and motivation. Exercise is important for good health. In people with a COMT mutation, their body finds it challenging to remove catechols. Lithium Orotate + B12: Boosting mood and decreasing anxiety, for some people Conversely those carrying two copies of the G allele display higher COMT activity which is associated with decreased dopamine levels in the brain. The Warrior or Worrier Gene COMT has been called the warrior or worrier gene based on the genotype. Scientific Reports, 5, 8813. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep08813 region: "na1", General COMT/MAO DOWN regulation symptoms may be: Difficult respiration shortness of breath, Asthma, Cardiovascular disorders hyper or hypotension, angina, bradycardia, ectopic beats, conduction issues, palpitations, tachycardia, vasoconstriction, arrhythmias, Spectrum disorders Autism, Aspergers, ADD/ADHD, Dementia issues, Other neurological disorders agitation, disorientation, impaired memory, aggression, assaultive, hallucinations, psychosis, Hormonal imbalances adrenal fatigue, cortisol imbalances, glucose imbalances, low Thyroid hormone conversion (T4 to T3), low LH and GH, elevated BUN. How metal substitution affects the enzymatic activity of catechol-o-methyltransferase. A step by step guide is available on the Advanced Functional Medicine website to easily arrange your genome test. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12082336 The difference may be in your genes. Im here to remove the confusion and give you guidance. When you have a COMT mutation, your body will be slower to get rid of many of the hormones that are produced when youre under stress. More difficult is finding a COMT activator. Essentially, high levels found in supplements are needed for COMT interactions to really matter. Your liver is essential for deactivating and expelling metabolites, so you need to keep it healthy. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 128, 3545. A defect in one or both of these genes (COMT is a family of genes) can INCREASE or DECREASE its function though usually it results in a DECREASE function with symptoms as I list below. A multitude of treatments, from pharmaceutical COMT inhibitors (tolcapone, entacapone), to green tea and epigallocatechin gallate (ECGC), can inhibit COMT activity, thereby elevating catecholamines. This, paired with chronic stress, can create the conditions for long-term health problems like Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS). Potatoes (all, even sweet potatoes) Coffee. Required fields are marked *. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 34(9), 21602167. [ref][ref][ref] This may be most beneficial in people with fast COMT enzyme function. In this case, it can be beneficial to increase catecholamine intake (berries, bananas, cacao, citrus, coffee, green tea, black tea, red wine) to slow down COMT and increase dopamine levels for an improved mood, concentration and focus. Theoretically, treatment with methylfolate would have the same effect. More difficult is finding a COMT activator. You may also have MTHFR and COMT mutations at the same time. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. The metaphor always comes down to plumbing: if we open the flood gates of neurotransmitter production with methylfolate supplementation, but the exit pipe is small, its like putting a thumb over a rushing garden hose. WebCaffeine, which triggers a release of catechols in the body. As AFS progresses and your stress levels increase, your body will produce more of these NTs to keep you alert and ready to face a threat. Who gets them and why, ADHD Genes: Exploring the Role of Genetics, Environment, and Neurochemistry in ADHD, G/G: Val/Val fast (higher) COMT activity[, A/G: Val/Met intermediate COMT activity (most common genotype in Caucasians), A/A: Met/Met slow (40% lower COMT activity) [. Its all in the balance. Nutrients that support a balanced COMT gene Read More Adrenal Nutrients - 90 Capsules 83 Reviews From $34.95 Ashwagandha Extract - 60 Capsules 106 Reviews From $21.95 Hall, K. T., Nelson, C. P., Davis, R. B., Buring, J. E., Kirsch, I., Mittleman, M. A., Loscalzo, J., Samani, N. J., Ridker, P. M., Kaptchuk, T. J., & Chasman, D. I. Sak, K. (2017a). Research has found that SNPs in the COMT gene has significant effects on its activity, which result in what is termed as the worrier and warrior characteristics. The COMT gene encodes an enzyme called catechol-O-methyltransferase, which breaks down catechols. Ordinarily, your Detoxification circuit would deactivate these metabolites and expel them. When you do begin to make changes, do so slowly and stop if you notice any adverse effects. (2015). Foods to avoid with slow COMT genes and how to support a slow COMT Catechin-containing foods and drinks such as chocolate, wine, coffee, and green tea are metabolized via the COMT gene, and these foods are best avoided if you have a slow COMT. It is important not to blame every disease or symptom on the road construction as there are other factors involved but knowing that the blockage exists may help the individual make better lifestyle choices and treat and prevent disease. The chart below, though complicated, shows the COMT and MAO genes as they fit into the Biopterin pathway. Other catechols include estrogen metabolites as well as drugs and natural substances with a catechol structure. COMT and studies on mood, cognitive function, and more. Some helpful foods to eat for liver detox and support are: All of these foods and nutrients can be helpful in promoting liver health and detox. Adopting strategies to lower your stress levels will decrease your bodys demand for cortisol and lower adrenal activity. Scoditti, E. (2020). COMT plays an important role in inactivating several neurotransmitters including: Dopamine; Epinephrine; Norepinephrine 2. A higher risk of violence has been found in schizophrenics carrying the methionine allele (associated with high epinephrine).8 Both homozygous genotypes have been associated with PTSD, in contrast with the heterozygous genotype.9, Genetic inheritance should be only the first part of our analysis. So, it is best to avoid foods that increase catechol levels, and these include: Caffeine; Alcohol; Smoking Vice-president of the Pediatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians (PedANP), and a graduate of NCNM, his practice specializes in treating neuropsychiatric disorders of children. This mutation has a powerful impact on your stress reactivity and your ability to de-stress. You can find all the references for this post organized at the bottom of this piece. Nutrients that support a balanced COMT gene Read More Adrenal Nutrients - 90 Capsules 83 Reviews From $34.95 Ashwagandha Extract - 60 Capsules 106 Reviews From $21.95 If youre one of the many people with this type of gene mutation, then heres what to do: If youre concerned about how your body reacts to stress, our team at Dr. Lam offers a free consultation at (626) 571 1234, or you can access our Ask the Doctor system by clicking here. If you feel there are inaccuracies in any of our written work, we invite you to use the contact form on our Contact page to tell us how we could improve. Magnesium is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies, and SAMe needs to be produced by the body. High estrogen levels can also cause a host of hormone-related symptoms. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2019.03.049 This means that the gene that produces an enzyme to break down certain substances and toxins doesnt work the way it should, causing a range of health, hormone, and stress-related issues. Without the COMT-controlled methylation reaction, catecholamines can accumulate and generate free radicals, which can damage DNA. The Warrior or Worrier Gene COMT has been called the warrior or worrier gene based on the genotype. The worrier genotype of the COMT gene has been characterized as having heightened cognitive performance at the cost of greater levels of anxiety and vulnerability to stress 4. hbspt.forms.create({ Baumann C, Klauke B, Weber H, et al. WebYou might not sleep well and you might even have detoxification or hormone problems. Also, research is still in its infancy regarding this issue. Even with a double (+, +) SNP defect, a person may experience little to no symptoms and live a normal, healthy life. This mutation limits the bodys ability to break down and remove neurotransmitters (NTs) by 3-4 times. The COMT mutation is closely related to MTHFR. The COMT valine polymorphism (associated with lower dopamine and lower cognitive function) has been associated with apathy and depression.7 In this case, the lower dopamine is caused by high metabolism, not low production. (n.d.-a). [ref], Scenario #3) On the other hand, if you have slow COMT and need to get rid of estrogen in ways that limit cancer risk, then the COMT-inhibiting flavonoids may have negative consequences.[ref][ref]. Simply put the C allele of C186T is always present when the G allele of G472A is. Over time, this can be a vicious circle that leaves your body awash in a sea of NTs and toxic metabolites that worsen your AFS and have a negative impact on your health overall. It is vital that you include healthy eating, good sleep, movement and avoid excessive environmental toxins. Some of the best strategies for stress management are: Supporting your liver is one of the best things you can do when you have a COMT mutation. 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