Folate and folic acid (FA) are different forms of Vitamin B9. While there’s a distinct difference between the two, their names are often used interchangeably. In fact, there’s a lot of confusion regarding folic acid and folate, even among professionals. [1]
Vitamin B9 is water-soluble vitamin that is an essential nutrient that naturally occurs as folate. Before entering your bloodstream, your digestive system converts it into the biologically active form of vitamin B9 — levomefolic acid or 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) —or simply said Methylfolate. [1]
The human body cannot produce folate, so we need to get it from our food. Some healthy foods That Are High in Folate include: Legumes, Asparagus, Eggs, Leafy greens (spinach, kale, arugula), Beets, Citrus fruits, Brussels sprouts, Broccoli, Nuts & seeds, Beef liver, Wheat germ, Papaya, Bananas, Avocado. [5] Many foods are being “fortified” with folic acid (FA) to help consumers maintain good nutritional folate status. There are some dietary supplements that include Vitamin B9 but in the form of folic acid. Yet this substance is a manufactured (synthetic version of) folate that is known to be poorly utilized by the body’s folate enzyme system. The body has to use an enzyme to make FA usable, and this enzyme’s conversion capacity is limited. Consequently, many people have unconverted FA in their bloodstream, which studies have linked to negative health effects. [2] †
Methylfolate (MF), which you can also take through supplementation, is the more active and natural form of folate. MethylFolate is the folate form most naturally preferred by the body, so much so that the intestinal lining has “transport proteins” that bind to it and selectively absorb it into the blood. [2]
However whenever we take folic acid (FA), we rely on Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). This is both a gene and an enzyme that is found throughout our body. It converts folic acid to its active form, L-methylfolate. This process is critical to the body having enough folate. [2]
Similar proteins also move MF from the circulation into the brain tissue. However, MF utilization can be blocked by the FA coming from fortified foods or poorly formulated dietary supplements. Folic acid is not just poorly effective — it actually interferes with the enzymes that are tasked with using MF and the other folates coming from our foods. Folic acid consumption is a serious health issue. [2] †
Below’s diagram is a visual explanation of folate enzyme system [3]
† Vitamin B9 (ie: MTHFR gene and L-methylfolate) has many important functions in our body. Some of them include:
- supports healthy cell division, repairing DNA
- Aiding and supporting immune function
- Body’s detoxification system
- Energy production
- promotes proper fetal growth and development to reduce the risk of birth defects
- methylfolate required to produce red blood cells
- L-Methylfolate is the only form of folate that can cross the blood-brain barrier to help facilitate the synthesis of the neurotransmitters associated with mood regulation—serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. [2,3]
- During pregnancy, the demand for folate becomes greatly increased due to the needs of the developing baby
The body’s stores of MF and other methyl resources are in danger of depletion by (including but not limited to) †:
- alcohol abuse,
- smoking,
- high usage of drugs such as antacids, antibiotics, painkillers, certain diuretics, estrogen replacement therapy, oral contraceptives, anticonvulsants, and SSRI psychotherapeutics.
- Poor diet,
- poor digestive and absorptive function,
- suboptimal kidney function
***all of the above (eg: lifestyle and medications)can deplete the body’s folate stores.[2 †]***
† Low levels of vitamin B9 are associated with an increased risk of several health conditions, including:
- Elevated homocysteine. High homocysteine levels have been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke
- Birth defects. Low folate levels in pregnant women have been linked to birth defects/abnormalities, such as neural tube defects
- Cancer risk. Poor levels of folate are also linked to increased cancer risk [1]
- Anemia or low red blood cell count
- A deficiency in L-Methylfolate has been linked to depression. Therefore, taking a supplement containing Methylfolate can help fight against depression.†
The CDC urges all women of reproductive age to take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid each day, in addition to consuming food with folate from a varied diet, to help prevent some major birth defects of the baby’s brain (anencephaly) and spine (spina bifida). [4] For these reasons, supplementing with vitamin B9 is common. Fortifying food with this nutrient is mandatory in many countries, including the United States and Canada. [1]
As with all of Dr. Kenawy's professional line products, we use the best manufactures in making our formulas. We use 5-MTHF in patented Quatrefolic which was developed by Gnosis S.p.A, it represents the fourth generation folate providing greater stability, higher water solubility and multiple ingredients formulation flexibility compared to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate calcium salt guaranteeing an improved bioavailability. † The FDA accepts notification of Quatrefolic® as a source of the naturally-occurring form of folate for use in dietary supplements. Below is a diagram created by Quatrefolic:
Dr. Kenawy’s Methylfolate Lozenges help provide your brain and body with optimized folate, to improve your chances of maintaining health and wellbeing. Methylfolate (5-MTHF) is the most biologically active form of folate in the human body. Unlike folic acid, it needs no enzymatic conversion within the body and is therefore six times more bioavailable. Many people suffer from a genetic disorder that prevents them from adequately converting folate into 5-MTHF. Since it does not require conversion, supplemental 5-MTHF quickly increases both blood and cellular levels of this critical nutrient. In addition to its well-known role in supporting healthy fetal neural development, 5-MTHF is important in the synthesis of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter. 5-MTHF also supports a healthy cardiovascular system by helping to keep homocysteine levels within the normal range. Homocysteine is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. †
Features:
- Folate 800 mcg DFE (dietary folate equivalents) as 5-MTHF in patented Quatrefolic
- Quatrefolic® is the glucosamine salt of (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate and is structurally analogous to the reduced and active form of folic acid.
- As USA: GRAS (generally recognized as safe self-affirmation) assessment declaims, "Quatrefolic® has been rigorously tested for safety and consistency. It is produced under strict quality control procedures allowing Gnosis to promote the product for application in a variety of conventional foods, beverages and supplements."
- FDA accepts notification of Quatrefolic® as a source of the naturally-occurring form of folate for use in dietary supplements
- An independent expert panel confirms that Quatrefolic®, (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid glucosamine salt, is "generally recognized as safe" ("GRAS") for use as a source of folate in conventional and medical foods.
† [2] Benefits:
- Helps Support Nervous System and Cardiovascular Health
- Fundamental to the growth, renewal, and total functioning of our cells, tissues and organs.
- Clinically proven for healthy mood, memory and other cognitive functions, and behavior.
- Enhances the clinically proven mood benefits of SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine).
- Essential for the brain to make the key neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.
- Promotes the brain’s healthy production of melatonin, our major sleep hormone.
- Enhances the body’s regulation of homocysteine, a potentially toxic human metabolic product.
- Promotes healthy pregnancy and birth outcomes.
†These statements have not been evaluated by The Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your General Practitioner. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
References:
[1] Arnarson, A. (2000, November 2). Folic Acid vs. Folate — What’s the Difference? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/folic-acid-vs-folate#vitamin-b
[2] Years, S. O. T. A. H. O. I. H. L. H. I. D. D. M. H. T. O. M. S. S. A. W. T. O. T. H. T. G. I. K. T. W. A. R. H. S. F. T. B. T. O. M. A. B. H. R. P. K. A. (2018, October 10). Folic Acid vs. Folate: Everything You Need to Know. BrainMD Health Blog. https://brainmd.com/blog/folic-acid-vs-folate-everything-you-need-to-know/
[3] Team, M. S. (2019, March 3). What is MTHFR & MTHFR gene mutation? MTHFR Gene Health. https://mthfrgenehealth.com/mthfr-mthfr-gene-mutation/
[4] Folic Acid. (2020, February 12). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/about.html
[5] Link, M. R. S. (2020, February 27). 15 Healthy Foods That Are High in Folate (Folic Acid). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-high-in-folate-folic-acid#1.-Legumes