First, it’s important to understand what folate is. Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is a vital nutrient needed for healthy red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and overall cell growth and function. Folate is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning it isn’t stored in the body and must be replenished daily through diet. Since your body can’t produce folate, you must get it from foods like dark leafy greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and beets. Ideally, everyone would get enough vitamin B9 from these foods, but many people have digestive issues or genetic mutations that impair the conversion of folate into its active form.Now, let’s differentiate the forms of vitamin B9. Folate is the natural form found in foods. Folic acid is the synthetic form used in supplements and added to processed foods. For folic acid to be usable, it must be converted into its active form, L-methylfolate, by the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). However, up to 40% of the population have variants of the MTHFR gene that impair their ability to convert folic acid into its active form. If you have the MTHFR mutation or suffer from chronic digestive issues, taking folic acid can lead to a buildup of unmetabolized folic acid, which can impair immune function. Methylfolate, also known as L-methylfolate, is the active and natural form of vitamin B9. Because it’s already activated, methylfolate is more bioavailable than other forms of folate. Unlike folic acid, methylfolate can cross the blood-brain barrier. Studies have shown that high folic acid intake can mask or even worsen symptoms of B12 deficiency. Since methylfolate is already in its active form, there are no dangers of unmetabolized folic acid. Methylfolate is also the only form effective for carriers of the MTHFR variant. Due to these benefits, methylfolate has become a popular nutritional supplement, significantly improving quality of life. It is the most recommended option for folate supplementation, especially given that unmetabolized folic acid in the bloodstream has been linked to low immune function. Methylfolate supports improved brain function, mood, heart health, and overall wellness. Category: General Health
