Could a vitamin deficiency cause 'double-jointedness' and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome? (Yes, active or methylated folate needed)

Medical Xpress / Tulane University / Heliyon ^ | April 10, 2023 | Andrew J. Yawn / Jacques Courseault et al

[ConservativeMind]

Researchers have discovered a possible genetic cause for hypermobility (commonly known as double-jointedness) and a range of associated connective tissue disorders such as hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, according to preliminary findings.

For those with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), the same conditions that create fragile connective tissue can cause a range of symptoms that, on the surface, can seem unrelated: physical conditions such as joint pain, chronic fatigue, thin tooth enamel, dizziness, digestive trouble and migraines; and psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Women with hypermobile EDS may also be at increased risk for endometriosis or uterine fibroids.

Researchers have linked hypermobility to a deficiency of folate—the natural form of vitamin B9—caused by a variation of the MTHFR gene.

Those with this genetic variant can't metabolize folate, which causes unmetabolized folate to accumulate in the bloodstream.

The discovery could help doctors more accurately diagnose hypermobility and hypermobile EDS by looking for elevated folate levels in blood tests as well as the MTHFR genetic variant.

"Hypermobility is not rare," Courseault said.

The good news is a treatment already exists. Methylated folate—folate that is already processed—is FDA-approved and widely available.

"It's an innocuous treatment," Bix said. "It's not dangerous, and it's a vitamin that can improve people's lives. That's the biggest thing: We know what's going on here, and we can treat it."

Though Courseault said more lab research and clinical testing needs to be done, patients who have been treated with folate have shown improvement: less pain, less brain fog, fewer allergies and improved gastrointestinal function.

"We've discovered something in medicine that can help, not a small group of people, but potentially many across the world," Courseault said. "This is real, it's been vetted out well and clinically we're noticing a difference."

[ConservativeMind]

Folic acid needs to be converted by our bodies to create an active form of folate. People with certain genetic issues cannot process it well, and require an active form of folate.

Fortunately, active folate forms are cheap and readily available. Look for Metafolin and Quatrefolic, as branded forms.

There should be no need for large amounts of these for most people. It appears the Upper Tolerable Limit per day for all forms of folate is 1,000 mcg per day.

[joe fonebone]

Bump for later

[Laslo Fripp]

“Maryanne Barnes was the queen of all the acrobats, she could do tricks that would give a cat the…”

Who knew that double-jointedness was a handicap???

[Paal Gulli]

"Who knew that double-jointedness was a handicap???"

Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of 13 genetic connective-tissue disorders in the current classification,[6] with the latest type discovered in 2018.[1] Symptoms often include loose joints, joint pain, stretchy velvety skin, and abnormal scar formation. These may be noticed at birth or in early childhood. Complications may include aortic dissection, joint dislocations, scoliosis, chronic pain, or early osteoarthritis.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehlers%E2%80%93Danlos_syndromes

[ConservativeMind]

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List
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This is an older one that I posted, but had not pinged. Some people are commenting in a thread today about this condition and hadn’t searched for this.

[UnwashedPeasant]

Swanson brand sells a B-complex with 400mcg methylfolate, along with other active forms of vitamin B.
https://www.swansonvitamins.com/p/swanson-ultra-activated-b-complex-high-bioavailability-60-veg-caps

Sign up for their emails, and they will send frequent coupons for 40-60% off. Never pay full price on that site. The current deal is 50% off.

Many Swanson products are junk, but these active-form B-vitamins are probably as good as any other mainstream brand.

[Veto!]

Thanks for info. My daughter had scoliosis and I have some weird thumb joints,

I took Katy to a fabulous chiropractor when scoliosis first showed up, then got her Alexander lessons, avoided back surgery and pain.
Unfortunately, good teachers of The Alexander Technique are dying off and the new one I went to a couple of years ago was clueless.

Like chiropractors, physical therapists are questionable. I went to a bunch of them, best is Jonathan Hook. He’s only available one day a month because he’s teaching now.

Maybe we should all look for a PT who teaches.

Anyway, if you catch scoliosis early enough,you can prevent all kinds pain and suffering.