Helpful MTHFR Podcast Episodes

In 2023, a guest on the Joe Rogan podcast, Gary Brecka spoke to the world’s leading podcaster about a gene called MTHFR. Today, every podcaster (and their mom) has an episode about it. From a mutant, here are my recommendations for helpful MTHFR podcast episodes.

A blooming curiosity about MTHFR is permeating communities of the health-conscious. In part, we have Gary Brecka to thank. The appearance of the human biologist on the Joe Rogan Experience in November 2023 introduced the podcast’s massive following (10 million+ subscribers on both Spotify and YouTube) to the gene and its mutants.

The health podcasting scene promptly latched on and dug in. Even with its good intent, as the topic grows saturated, MTHFRs searching for facts while avoiding fear can get lost in the tumult. But that doesn’t mean it’s not out there.

WHY PODCASTS ARE HELPFUL FOR LEARNING ABOUT MTHFR

Podcasts are one of my favorite ways to learn for two reasons:

1. Open conversation allows for less miscommunication, the opportunity for clarification, and a pithy alternative to lectures.
2. Experts can disperse important information through avenues geared toward the average learner.

This is especially important when it comes to health topics. While you should always consult a physician who can guide you according to your specific circumstances before making changes that might affect your health, doing your own research in addition is wise. Podcasts are an inexpensive, easy, effective way to listen to discussions with top researchers, practitioners, and pundits – as well as others in your health shoes – with great information.

That’s why, when I was looking to understand more about MTHFR and my mutation, I turned to podcasts. Before Brecka, there was significantly less on the topic. Today, it seems like a new episode comes out every day. For newcomers it’s getting hard to tell which episode is worth your time.

As a mutant who loves to study MTHFR, I thought I’d add my two-cents. Here are my recommendations for helpful MTHFR podcasts.

HELPFUL PODCAST EPISODES ABOUT MTHFR

What is MTHFR and Could it Be Causing You Health Problems? w/ Dr. Ben Lynch | Just Ingredients

• Found on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Soundcloud, iHeart
• About the host: The aptly named health and beauty company Just Ingredients prides itself on its clean, thoughtfully sourced, non-toxic products. Karalynne Call, owner and fellow MTHFR, hosts the Just Ingredients podcast, an insightful and inspiring resource for public listeners and customers alike to learn about health from experts.
• Guest expert: In this episode, Karalynne speaks with geneticist and naturopathic doctor, Dr. Ben Lynch (best-selling author of Dirty Genes, and Seeking Health founder.) Decades of research, patient treatment, and personal experience with a MTHFR mutation led Dr. Lynch to become known as the go-to MTHFR guy. He currently educates people via social media (@drbenlynch on Instagram) and the Seeking Health platform, and is a well-known, reliable special guest on many MTHFR-centric podcast episodes.
• Topics covered: A great episode for beginners, this Just Ingredients + Dr. Ben Lynch mash-up boils the good doctor’s all-encompassing MTHFR knowledge down to the basics, guided by Karalynne’s thoughtful questions.
• Episode information: My source: Spotify | Episode 145 | Time: 1:12 mins | Release date: Apr. 8th, 2024

The MTHFR Gene & Women’s Health with Ricardo Miranda | The Period Party

• Found on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, nicolejardim.com, Audible, Amazon Podcasts, iHeart
• About the host: Period Party podcast host Nicole Jardim uses her platform to connect and speak about all things menstrual with women’s health experts. In this case, she interviews a prominent MTHFR researcher, Ricardo Miranda.
• Guest expert: Ricardo Miranda represents an international coalition of MTHFR researchers, doctors, and clinicians teaming up to educate, study, test for, and support MTHFR mutations via an online platform, MTHFRdoctors.com. Ricardo pulls on his decades of research to explain the gene variants and its effects.
• Topics covered: Nicole and Ricardo discuss MTHFR and its role in methylation as related to infertility, pregnancy complications, the rise of autism disorder, and detoxification. This episode is especially helpful for female MTHFRs who menstruate and/or might be interested in supporting a pregnancy.
• Episode information: My source: Spotify | Episode 330 | Time: 0:45 mins | Release date: May 28th, 2024

Methylation, MTHFR, and the Folic Acid Connection with Chronic Conditions | Vibing Well with Dr. Stacy

• Found on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
• About the host: Dr. Stacy is a naturopathic doctor emphasizing an approach to health that doesn’t begin and end with pharmacology. She pulls from personal experience alongside a decade of patient treatment and an impressive resume of degrees and certifications to help listeners of Vibing Well with Dr. Stacy to understand how to find great health.
• Topics covered: In this episode, Dr. Stacy comprehensively breaks down methylation and MTHFR’s job, simple support solutions, and what she calls the folic acid connection. If you’re interested in the 200+ biological processes affected by methylation, I recommend this episode.
• Episode information: My source: Spotify | Episode 21 | Time: 0: 44 mins | Release date: Apr. 10, 2023.

Mastering Methylation: Understanding MTHFR, Homocysteine, and Folates with Dr. Denise Furness | The Joe Cohen Show

• Found on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, thejoecohenshow.com, Google Podcasts, and YouTube
• About the host: Joe Cohen is the founder of SelfDecode, a genetic testing and analysis service. On his podcast The Joe Cohen Show, he interviews experts in fields like genetics to ‘decode’ genes and discuss radical approaches to health.
• Guest expert: Dr. Denise Furness is the guest geneticist and nutritionist invited to discuss methylation and MTHFR on this episode. After researching genetics and nutrigenomics for nearly two decades, Dr. Furness runs her own practice (Your Genes and Nutrition) where she implements knowledge of genes and epigenetics to heal patients.
• Topics covered: This in-depth conversation between two gene freaks covers the basics of MTHFR function, its cofactors, and common SNPs before becoming fully immersed in the nitty-gritty of supplementation and epigenetics. While it may sidetrack from MTHFR itself, it provides valuable insights into how lifestyle decisions and genes are deeply interconnected.
• Episode information: My source: Spotify | Episode 55 | Time: 1: 15 min | Release date: Nov. 16, 2023

Living With MTHFR | Mastering Nutrition

• Found on: Spotify and Apple Podcasts
• About the host: Chris Masterjohn is a nutritional scientist and founder of BioOptHealth, a genome sequencing technology. With a penchant for technical thinking, he tends to delve deep into topics – maybe further than some might enjoy. But if understanding the science of things excites you, the Mastering Nutrition podcast may as well.
• Topics covered: From common variants, types, and population statistics to associated diseases and conditions and essential nutrients, Chris’s deep-dive into MTHFR covers anything a curious mind might desire. A large portion of this episode is dedicated to an in-depth explanation of methylation, so a working understanding of MTHFR and an interest in learning more will serve the audience.
• Episode information: My source: Spotify | Episode 37 | 2:01 min | Release date: Aug. 12, 2017.

BONUS HELPFUL MTHFR PODCAST

The Dirty Genes Podcast | Dr. Ben Lynch

The Dirty Genes podcast by Dr. Ben Lynch began and ended in 2021. Following the release of his best-selling book, Dirty Genes: A Breakthrough Program to Treat the Root Cause of Illness and Optimize Your Health, Dr. Lynch began a podcast providing further guidance to his readers in quick snippets. The majority of episodes are between 11 to 20 minutes with the exception of a few interviews. Unfortunately, the podcast left off after just 16 episodes, but each gold nugget still lives on Spotify. I recommend them all.

TIPS FOR CHOOSING A HELPFUL MTHFR PODCAST

As new podcast episodes about MTHFR flush platforms like Spotify and YouTube, there’s a wealth of information to choose from. When searching for credible sources, I look for…

• reliable hosts who have either a doctorate or keen researching skills allowing them to develop deep understanding of the MTHFR topic
• guests specialized in treating MTHFR mutations
• a general attitude of empowerment toward MTHFRs rather than fear-based discussions

Because MTHFR research is still evolving, it’s possible not all the information you come across will be helpful and up-to-date. In my experience, the more information you have, the better tuned your truth radar becomes. Don’t be afraid to try out any episode you stumble onto – just don’t forget to turn up the volume on your gut-feelings first.

Ultimately, you live in your body. You know what’s best for it, and you know bullshit when you hear it.

THE BOTTOM LINE

As more conversations pop up around MTHFR, the noise in the podcasting world will swell. While having many resources to choose from is awesome, quantity sometimes masks quality. Enough exposure tends to tell the truth over time.

Dive into these helpful MTHFR podcast episodes, learn about MTHFR, learn how to support your variant, and you can start developing a great MTHFR lifestyle. You’ve got this.

Happy listening!

YOUR TURN

What’s your favorite podcast? Which MTHFR podcast episodes have you listened to?