Ep. 152 – The Lowdown on Folic Acid

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Welcome to the Train Your Brain Podcast! Today Dr. Trayford shares brain training tip number 152. Nutritionally speaking Folic Acid, also known as Folate, is involved in the breaking down of carbohydrates into glucose. Folic Acid is a type of vitamin B. In addition to its role in energy production, folic acid helps to reduce the levels of Homocysteine in the blood stream.
Dr. Trayford taught us about Homocysteine in Episode 112 so we encourage you to listen to that episode to learn more, but Folic Acid keeps the Homocysteine levels in your blood in check. If you are eating a diet which includes, beets, salmon, beans, avocados, etc. then you’re giving your body the Folic Acid it needs. Please consider a supplement if you know you are not getting enough Folate in your diet. Thanks for listening!

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If you have any concerns regarding the information and applications discussed in this podcast, please consult your physician and a doctor who is experienced in functional neurology. Michael Trayford DC, DACNB is available for consultation by calling (828) 708-5274. Thanks for listening. Continue reading

Ep. 126 – Know Your Numbers: MTHFR

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Good morning and welcome to Episode 126 of The Train Your Brain Podcast with Dr. Michael Trayford. Every Monday we produce a 30-minute episode. Tuesday through Sunday we produce episodes with five-minute tips. Every episode of the Train Your Brain Podcast features a tip, so you can receive pointers 365 days a year that will help enhance the performance of your brain!

Through the end of February we are having a special contest for Train Your Brain Podcast Listeners to send in their best brain training tip for a chance to win a $25 gift card!

Today Dr. Trayford shares brain training tip 126: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. What a mouth-full! The MTHFR gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. This enzyme plays a role in processing amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase is important for a chemical reaction involving forms of the vitamin folate (also called vitamin B9). Specifically, this enzyme converts a molecule called 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to a molecule called 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. This reaction is required for the multistep process that converts the amino acid homocysteine to another amino acid, methionine. The body uses methionine to make proteins and other important compounds. Mutations in this gene are linked to numerous cardiovascular and neurological conditions and can be easily treated with appropriate nutritional intervention. Thanks for listening!

If you have any concerns regarding the information and applications discussed in this podcast, please consult your physician and a doctor who is experienced in functional neurology. Michael Trayford DC, DACNB is available for consultation by calling (828) 708-5274. Thanks for listening. Continue reading