Folate Deficiency and MTHFR C677T Polymorphism Associated with Homocysteine

A study epublished in January 2017 observed that the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and low levels of folate and vitamin B₁₂ correlate with elevated serum total homocysteine (tHcy) levels. Increased tHcy has been associated with a number of health concerns including cardiovascular disease and dementia. People with the MTHFR C677T polymorphism inefficiently convert folic acid and other folate types into active 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). This polymorphism has been linked to colon cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Alzheimer's disease, and recurrent pregnancy loss.