I had a blood test done a few years ago, and the primary doctor told me that I have a gene that showed I have a hard time digesting folic acid. My mother was told she had it too. It seems to be genetic, but has anyone know about this? I think that is a big reason why I suffer from lack of energy often and have that "stuck" feeling in my life. It is kind of embarassing to mention it, but I often have to be wary of what I eat now because of constipation, which always happens for me now. Is there anyway of correcting my gene? I need to exercise more, but I think my digestive problems curb my energy often. I have had this problem develop ever since after becoming a traditional and working at a previous job where it got stressful because of customers and management.

I forgot to mention that I take methylfolate pills, but I don't know how much they are really helping me. I'll look up B-complex. Thank you.

I had a blood test done a few years ago, and the primary doctor told me that I have a gene that showed I have a hard time digesting folic acid. My mother was told she had it too. It seems to be genetic, but has anyone know about this? I think that is a big reason why I suffer from lack of energy often and have that "stuck" feeling in my life. It is kind of embarassing to mention it, but I often have to be wary of what I eat now because of constipation, which always happens for me now. Is there anyway of correcting my gene? I need to exercise more, but I think my digestive problems curb my energy often. I have had this problem develop ever since after becoming a traditional and working at a previous job where it got stressful because of customers and management.

I would suggest a change in diet.  Try to cut out sugars, gluten, and processed foods as much as possible.  Eat more fruits, veggies, meats, and fish.  It is tough at first, but you will get used to it, and it really does help with a multitude of health problems.  Oh, and a couple things that really help with digestion are probiotics.  Try to eat more yogurt or take acidophilus pills regularly.  Also, peppermints help with more instant relief if your stomach is unsettled after a meal.

Hope this helps!  :-)

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Eat more fruits, veggies, meats, and fish.  It is tough at first, but you will get used to it and it really does help with a multitude of health problems

I never thought I would see the day when such an exhortation would arise. This is so obvious; when you think the reason most of the world would like to "Eat more fruits, veggies, meats, and fish" is in order to stay alive. (I suppose it was the "it's tough at first" that got me.) Isn't it incredible. No criticism of you, Rita, but I am flabbergasted. I suppose it says something about American mores and American diet.

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Also, peppermints help with more instant relief if your stomach is unsettled after a meal.

I would be careful of eating peppermints for an unsettled stomach. Peppermints are full of sugar or artificial sweeteners. I'd go for a peppermint tea, or better still a ginger tea. You can grate your own ginger and add honey and lemon to taste. It's delicious. I like pepermint tea as is with no addings.

Interesting that gluten seems to be almost a forbidden fruit. When I try to buy gluten flour for bread making the attendant always responds "You mean gluten-free" and so I have to explain that "No, I want gluten". In the past people worked from dawn till dusk on nothing but bread, with olive oil and a few olives, and wine (of course) :cheers:.

Lol... No worries, Nadir.  No offense taken.

It is so true, and yet so sad...   Most Americans really have bad diet problems.  I think that this is partially caused by our bad doctors and all the processed foods along with GMO foods.  Europeans eat so much more health than most of us.  It is amazing how addicted people can get to modern foods though...

I am sorry.  I didn't specify.  There is a type of peppermint that are white in color, almost no sugar with no artifical ingredients and only about 5-7 ingredients total.  These are what I was thinking of.  I know a number of people with stomach problems who take eat them quite often and it helps them.

Gluten is not bad in of itself.  It is just that most people are not able to make their own breads from scratch.  And if you have to buy processed food it is usually better for someone with digestive problems to get gluten-free products.  That being said, my family makes spelt-flour bread and pizzas quite often and it is easy to digest. :-)

Oh, and I totally forgot to mention fermented foods like sauerkraut, kombucha and such.  :-)

I had a blood test done a few years ago, and the primary doctor told me that I have a gene that showed I have a hard time digesting folic acid. My mother was told she had it too. It seems to be genetic, but has anyone know about this? I think that is a big reason why I suffer from lack of energy often and have that "stuck" feeling in my life. It is kind of embarassing to mention it, but I often have to be wary of what I eat now because of constipation, which always happens for me now. Is there anyway of correcting my gene? I need to exercise more, but I think my digestive problems curb my energy often. I have had this problem develop ever since after becoming a traditional and working at a previous job where it got stressful because of customers and management.

Here's an easy and effective remedy: start taking dried beet powder.

It's a whole food, not a vitamin.

Take one capsule with each meal, three times a day.

It will immediately help with your energy levels, your folate & iron level, and it will even make your eyelashes grow!

http://www.hihealth.com/natures-way-beet-root-powder-100cap.html