Decoding Folate: A Humorous Guide to Vitamin B9
Avoid This Common Mistake When Choosing a Folate Supplement
Avoid this mistake when choosing a folate supplement.
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September 22, 2023
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Fluency in vitamin B9 talk is not exactly a walk in the park. With folate, folic acid, and methylfolate in the mix, it’s like trying to solve a riddle. But fear not, we’re here to untangle the confusion for you!
The Folate Family Drama
Let’s start with folate, the natural form of vitamin B9 found in healthy foods like leafy greens, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli. However, only half of the folate in these foods can be used by the body. That’s why many foods are fortified with more folate.
Now, “folate” is also used as a general term for all forms of the nutrient, whether found in foods or supplements.
Meet the Supplement Players
When it comes to supplements, two key players take the stage:
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Folic acid: This is the most common form of folate found in fortified foods and supplements.
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Methylfolate: AKA 5-MTHF, it’s the fully bioactive form of the vitamin that can be easily metabolized by the body.
The main difference between these two forms is how far along the activation process they are.
It’s Showtime: Activation Process
While methylfolate is already activated and ready to go, folic acid still has some journey ahead. When you consume folic acid from fortified foods or supplements, it must go through multiple conversions to reach the biologically active form, 5-MTHF.
But sometimes, this conversion process faces some ups and downs.
The Consequences of an Inactive Folic Acid
According to prenatal nutrition specialist Amy Burkholder, CNS, LDN, synthetic folic acid doesn’t always get metabolized efficiently, especially for those with an MTHFR gene variant.
The MTHFR enzyme is like the missing puzzle piece needed to fully activate folic acid. But if you have that gene variant (which more than 50% of the population has), the conversion process doesn’t go smoothly. As a result, you end up with limited bioactive folate to carry out essential methylation processes.
High levels of homocysteine, a byproduct of faulty methylation, can have negative cardiovascular implications. So, having enough activated folate in your system is essential for overall health.
Choosing Your Supplement: The Quest for Methylfolate
In the search for the ideal supplement, look for the one that contains methylfolate or 5-MTHF as the folate ingredient. This ensures that you’re getting the form of folate your body can readily utilize, making sure those methylation processes run smoothly.
However, it’s not yet common for supplements to provide this active form of folate. That’s why VoiceAngel created methylation support+. It features Quatrefolic® methylfolate, optimized for absorption. This unique formula also includes other essential B vitamins and betaine to help you make the most of these nutrients.
With methylation support+, you can promote DNA synthesis, energy production, heart and brain health, and live your best, well-methylated life.
The Takeaway: Folate Unleashed
Folate plays a crucial role in essential methylation pathways that impact cardiovascular, neurological, reproductive health, energy production, and detoxification. However, it needs to be activated in the body to be effective.
VoiceAngel’s methylation support+ not only features methylfolate but also brings in other activated B vitamins and the methyl donor betaine to support healthy homocysteine levels. So, whether you have an MTHFR gene variation or not, choosing methylfolate is the smart move for targeted folate supplementation.
Remember, if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications, it’s always best to consult with your doctor before starting any supplement routine. Your health care provider can guide you on what supplements will best suit your needs.
So, go forth and decode the fascinating world of folate with confidence and humor!
