Advice for GSTM1 Deletion

[Rainbow]

We recently found out that my grandmother, who has Alzheimer's disease, is E3/3. For most of her life, she has been eating a low-fat, gluten-free diet that included plenty of green vegetables, but also ample dairy products such as yogurt and milk, carbohydrates such as rice, fruit, oats and potatoes, and legumes. She has also had a very bad sweet tooth her whole life. She enjoyed walking and gardening, but didn't do much strenuous exercise. Her weight has never been a problem.

Although she is E3/3, she has many other SNPs that we believe contributed to the development of the disease. These include:

• Methylation: issues with MTHFR, MTR and COMT.
• Inflammation: issues with IL-6, IL-1 and TNFA.
• Oxidative stress: issues with eNOS, GPx1 and CAT.
• Insulin sensitivity: issues with PPARG and TCF7L2.
• Detoxification: a GSTM1 deletion and reduced activity of GSTP1.

This is quite a cocktail, and naturally my mom and I are concerned that as E4 carriers, our odds are pretty bad. However, at least we have knowledge about prevention that my grandmother didn't have when she was younger.

We are especially interested in learning more about what we can do to compensate for a GSTM1 deletion, which my mom also has. Any suggestions other than eating more cruciferous and allium vegetables? Should we consider supplementation, and are there biomarkers that we can keep track of?

[SusanJ]

Should we consider supplementation, and are there biomarkers that we can keep track of?

You might want to read Dr Ben Lynch's book Dirty Genes. It covers GST, COMT and MTHFR (among others) and helps define the symptoms that might suggest treating one or another. That said, glutathione, and riboflavin (to recycle it) and riboflavin (to create it) might help. And Epsom salt baths. But do start low and go slow with glutathione, like a couple times of week. If it helps, slowly scale it up.

[Rainbow]

You might want to read Dr Ben Lynch's book Dirty Genes. It covers GST, COMT and MTHFR (among others) and helps define the symptoms that might suggest treating one or another. That said, glutathione, and riboflavin (to recycle it) and riboflavin (to create it) might help. And Epsom salt baths. But do start low and go slow with glutathione, like a couple times of week. If it helps, slowly scale it up.

Thanks Susan! I skimmed Dirty Genes earlier this year, but have been meaning to do a thorough reread. Will have some time for that before the end of summer. As far as troubleshooting specific SNP-related issues is concerned, it's definitely the most useful book I've seen so far. And written with a very optimistic tone! I'll look into glutathione and riboflavin.

[TheBrain]

I just want to mention that the Great Plains organic acids test can reveal if you have a deficiency in glutathione and riboflavin, among many other potential problems. I’m deficient in both so am supplementing with both.

[Rainbow]

I just want to mention that the Great Plains organic acids test can reveal if you have a deficiency in glutathione and riboflavin, among many other potential problems. I’m deficient in both so am supplementing with both.

Thank you! Very useful info. A few months ago, Plumster mentioned the NutrEval FMV from Genova Diagnostics in response to one of my questions about how to test methylation status. Your post reminded me to circle back to that. I see NutrEval FMV also contains an organic acids test (among other things). I'm going to do some research about these tests and check out the costs.

[TheBrain]

I just want to mention that the Great Plains organic acids test can reveal if you have a deficiency in glutathione and riboflavin, among many other potential problems. I’m deficient in both so am supplementing with both.

Thank you! Very useful info. A few months ago, Plumster mentioned the NutrEval FMV from Genova Diagnostics in response to one of my questions about how to test methylation status. Your post reminded me to circle back to that. I see NutrEval FMV also contains an organic acids test (among other things). I'm going to do some research about these tests and check out the costs.

You’re welcome, Rainbow. I spent $179 for my test. My FM practitioner has an account with Great Plains and was able to offer me this heavily discounted price. Great Plains submitted the full price to my insurance company on my behalf. Some of it was covered, but I was only responsible for the $179 I paid up front. Fortunately, I have a secondary that will reimburse me for the $179.

Best of luck with your research about these tests!