Folic acid is a form of the water-soluble vitamin, B-9. It is a key factor in the synthesis of nucleic acid- one of a large family of molecules that include DNA and RNA.The human body does not store folic acid; because of this, we need to consume it every day to ensure that we have enough in our system.
Folate is the naturally occurring form of vitamin B9. Its name is derived from the Latin word "folium," which means leaf. In fact, leafy vegetables are among the best dietary sources of folate. Folate is a generic name for a group of related compounds with similar nutritional properties.The active form of vitamin B9 is a folate known as 5 methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF).In the digestive system,the majority of dietary folate is converted into 5-MTHF before entering the bloodstream.
It is better to get vitamin B9 from whole foods. High-folate foods include asparagus, avocados, Brussels sprouts, and leafy greens such as spinach and lettuce. However, for some people--- such as pregnant women --- supplements may be an easy way to make sure you're getting enough vitamin B9. In those cases, it is better to choose supplements that do not contain folic acid.Those supplements that contain 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), are considered a healthier alternative to folic acid.
Dark green vegetables are good sources of folic acid. Be careful not to overcook, as the folic acid content can drop considerably. The following foods are known to be rich in folic acid: Asparagus, Baker's yeast, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts Cabbage, Cauliflower, Egg yolk , Jacket potato (large), Kidney, Lentils , Lettuce Liver (pregnant women should not consume liver) Many fruits have moderate amounts, papaya and kiwi have more Milk ,Oranges ,Parsnips ,Peas,Spinach ,Sunflower seeds ,Whole wheat bread (usually fortified).
Vitamin B9 (folic acid and folate inclusive) is vital for several bodily functions:
1-The synthesis and repair of DNA and RNA
2-Aiding rapid cell division and growth
3-To produce healthy red blood cells
4-Enhances brain health -Dutch researchers reported that folic acid supplementation might improve memory
5-Age-related hearing loss- one study found that folic acid supplements might slow the onset of age-related hearing loss
6-Heart health - some evidence suggests that folic acid can protect heart health
7-It is particularly important for pregnant women to have enough folic acid to prevent major birth defects of her baby's brain or spine (neural tube defects, including spinabifida and anencephaly). To reduce the incidence, women planning to get pregnant should take a folic acid supplement for a full year before conception.
“L-methylfolate or 6(S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate [6(S)-5-MTHF], is the primary biologically active diastereoisomer of folate and the primary form of folate in circulation. It is also the form which is transported across membranes into peripheral tissues, particularly across the blood brain barrier. In the cell, 6(S)-5-MTHF is used in the methylation of homocysteine to form methionine and tetrahydrofolate(THF). THF is the immediate acceptor of one carbon units for the synthesis of thymidine-DNA, purines (RNA and DNA) and methionine. About 70% of food folate and cellular folate is comprised of 6(S)-5-MTHF. Folic acid, the synthetic form of folate, must undergo enzymatic reduction by methylenetetrahydrofolatereductase (MTHFR) to become biologically active. Genetic mutations of MTHF Rresult in a cell’s inability to convert folic acid to 6(S)-5-MTHF.D-methylfolate or 6(R)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate [6(R)-5-MTHF] is the other diastereoisomer offolate. Studies administering doses of 2.5 mg per day or higher resulted in plasma protein binding of D-methylfolate higher than L-methylfolate causing a significantly higher renal clearance of L-methylfolate when compared to D-methylfolate. Further, D-methylfolate is found to be stored in tissues in the body, mainly in the liver. D-methylfolate is not metabolized by the body and has been hypothesized to inhibit regulatory enzymes related to folate and homocysteine metabolism and reduces the bio availability of L-methylfolate.”
Two things:
1-Request a prescription from their physician to obtain drugs containing , quatrefolic or Metafolin.
2-Or Look for supplements specifying the amount of active L methylfolate.
This is a new form of methylfolate that uses glucosamine instead of calcium to bind the L-methylfolate. Quatrefolic is also a quality form of L-methylfolate.
Quatrefolic ®: Choosing Quatrefolic® as a source of folate presents several advantages:
•Quatrefolic® is the glucosamine salt of (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate and is structurally analogous to the reduced and active form of folic acid. 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 bio availability.
• Providesthe active form of folate, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, naturally present in the body and available for its biological action.
• Has been recognized GRAS: several in-vitro and in-vivo preclinical and clinical studies have been undertaken, to characterize and guarantee the safety profile of the product.
• Is produced according to cGMP, guaranteeing a reproducible quality profile.
•Glucosamine, as a salt of (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate, does not come from animal sources and the product is suitable for vegetarian consumption.
• Higher bio availability and improved water solubility showed by Quatrefolic® respect to calcium salt, open new perspectives and uses for combinations and formulations with vitamins and minerals.
Quatrefolic®supplementation allows 5-methyltetrahydrofolate to be immediately bio available for its biological action without being metabolized in the body. Quatrefolic® is unlikely to mask vitamin B12 resulting in tangible advantages and more safe profile of the product respect to folic a Quatrefolic® is the glucosamine salt of (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate and is structurally analogous to the reduced and active form of folic acid so Quatrefolic® completely bypasses the "damaged" MTHFR conversion step and delivers a "finished" folate the body can immediately use without any kind of metabolization.
Quatrefolic®answers to all consumers' and physicians' concerns relating to potential harmful effects of folic acid administration. As Quatrefolic® provides the metabolic reduced folate form utilized and stored in the human body, the(6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate, it does not aid to the potential accumulation of UMFA in the blood, which has no biological function and whose effects are not yet known, also due to the potential uncontrolled assumption of folic acid by diet.
Dark green vegetables are good sources of folic acid. Be careful not to overcook, as the folic acid content can drop considerably. The following foods are known to be rich in folic acid: Asparagus, Baker's yeast, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts Cabbage, Cauliflower, Egg yolk , Jacket potato (large), Kidney, Lentils , Lettuce Liver (pregnant women should not consume liver) Many fruits have moderate amounts, papaya and kiwi have more Milk ,Oranges ,Parsnips ,Peas,Spinach ,Sunflower seeds ,Whole wheat bread (usually fortified).
1-Not all methylfolate is the same
2-The D form of methylfolate actually is undesired and should be avoided
3-The L form of methylfolate is the desired form
4-There are many names for the same thing. Understand them.
5-Supplements using the pure form of L-Methylfolate6-Seeking Health uses purely the L-methylfolate as Quatrefolic.
