[borgchick]

I wish there was study based on whether multi-vitamins help for those of us who are professional sitters (eg, in tech, so we sit on our ass all day), and who most of the time do NOT eat healthy diets, and do not get enough exercise.

In those circumstances, does a multi-vitamin a day improve things?

[hammyhavoc]

There's so many variables at play to give blanket statements.

MTHFR mutations are interesting to research. I've got polymorphism (checked via a DNA test), and once I cut out the folic acid supplements and fortified cereals, I started feeling much better. The missus also has polymorphism, and whilst her blood results made her seem anemic, the prescribed B12 shots gave her a mental health crisis due to elevated homocysteine as a consequence.

That's not to say "supplements = bad", but having a good understanding, self-awareness and figuring out your own physiology is more important than following blanket statements said by others. This is also why some people with ADHD respond well to stimulants and others don't. People vary wildly.

[armadsen]

What is polymorphism as you’re using the term?

[hammyhavoc]

https://www.healthline.com/health/mthfr-gene

Multiple mutations of the MTHFR gene means that a lot of blanket statement health advice doesn't necessarily apply. It's also not all that uncommon, and it's something that most docs in the UK aren't familiar with. High incidence in Ashkenazi Jews (which I am).

[echelon]

In general:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_polymorphism

And with respect to this gene:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK6561/

[larrymcp]

And what's this "DNS test" which diagnosed it?

[hammyhavoc]

It doesn't "diagnose", you look at what the genes express in terms of alleles. Lots of information publicly available from reputable sources.

I'm not here to push recommendations of DNA services, but the better ones allow you to export your raw DNA data for further scrutiny if they don't allow you to just browse it by gene number via a web app. If you're interested, look it up. Likewise, watch out for the one that handled a security breach crappily recently.

[anemoiac]

It's always DNS!

[justinator]

Not to state the obvious, but you know what the problem is and the solution. The issue is more of execution.