Folate, also known as folic acid, or Vitamin B9, is required for many critical functions in the body. L-Methylfolate (5-MTHF) is the biologically active form of B9; the other forms of B9 include folic acid and folate.
We cannot make folate on our own and depend on supplementation or dietary ingestion to maintain normal levels. Regardless of the source, (folate or folic acid) it must be converted into its active form (methylfolate) to be useful to the body; this conversion can become problematic for those with an MTHFR gene mutation. The methylfolate form (5-MTHF) form can be more desirable for those looking to bypass the folic acid metabolism cycle, or for those who have an MTHFR gene mutation.
Any folic acid we ingest must be converted into Dihydrofolate (DHF), Tetrahydrofolate (THF), and then finally into L-methylfolate (5-MTHF) to be used in the body. Once it is in the methylfolate (active) form it can be transported into cells, tissues and across the blood-brain barrier.
Low levels of Folate can be caused by low dietary intake, poor absorption or altered folate metabolism due to genetic defects. Folate deficiencies have been linked to increased risk of neural tube defects,and other negative health concerns.
We cannot make folate on our own and depend on supplementation or dietary ingestion to maintain normal levels. Regardless of the source, (folate or folic acid) it must be converted into its active form (methylfolate) to be useful to the body; this conversion can become problematic for those with an MTHFR gene mutation. The methylfolate form (5-MTHF) form can be more desirable for those looking to bypass the folic acid metabolism cycle, or for those who have an MTHFR gene mutation.
Any folic acid we ingest must be converted into Dihydrofolate (DHF), Tetrahydrofolate (THF), and then finally into L-methylfolate (5-MTHF) to be used in the body. Once it is in the methylfolate (active) form it can be transported into cells, tissues and across the blood-brain barrier.
Low levels of Folate can be caused by low dietary intake, poor absorption or altered folate metabolism due to genetic defects. Folate deficiencies have been linked to increased risk of neural tube defects,and other negative health concerns.