What is Methylated Folate?
Methylated folate is the active, natural form of folate that our bodies need. Since we can’t produce folate on our own, we have to get it from our diet. However, the folate found in food isn’t ready for use right away – our liver has to process it first. This conversion produces tetrahydrofolate, or methyl folate, which is the form our body can actually use.
What About Folic Acid?
Folic acid is the synthetic counterpart of folate. For years, it has been added to foods in North America to help reduce the chances of neural tube defects in developing babies. However, there have been concerns about its safety and effectiveness. Research shows that around 50% of people have a genetic variation that either prevents them from benefiting from folic acid or allows them to convert only a tiny amount of it. This genetic variation is known as MTHFR.
Why Has Methylated Folate Become Popular?
Methyl folate, or 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, has gained popularity as a folate supplement. One major reason is that unmetabolized folic acid in the bloodstream has been linked to reduced immune function. Additionally, synthetic folic acid can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency. Methylated folate addresses these issues effectively. It provides the body with an immediate supply of usable folate without needing conversion, doesn’t conceal a B12 deficiency, and doesn’t have consumption intolerances. This makes it a great option for everyone, including people with the MTHFR genetic variation and pregnant women.
Methylated Folate: A More Effective Supplement
Since synthetic folic acid doesn’t work well for nearly half the population, methylated folate has become a preferred choice for addressing various health concerns.
For mood disorders, methyl folate is a better option due to its higher bioavailability and absence of side effects.
As a homocysteine reducer, a diet enriched with folate or supplementation with bioavailable methyl folate can lower levels of homocysteine, an amino acid linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular issues.
In cases of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a study found that patients experienced improvements in their quality of life when treated with methyl folate.
For skin disorders, research from 2013 discovered high levels of methyl folate in the skin’s epidermis, even when serum folate levels were low. This suggests it could protect against UV damage and help with conditions like psoriasis.
Regarding prenatal supplementation, methyl folate ensures that pregnant women have the folate levels necessary to support proper neural development in their babies.
Supplementing with Methylated Folate
Using methylated folate as a supplement offers an effective way to ensure adequate folate intake for everyone, especially those with the MTHFR genetic variation and pregnant women who need to support fetal development.
