Folic Acid vs. Folate: Which is Better?

Folate is the naturally occuring and active form of vitamin B9 found in food. Folic acid is the synthetic version of this vitamin and is often found in multivitamins, fortified foods, and certain drugs. 

The body does not use folic acid very efficiently, especially if you fall into the 60 percent of people that may have an MTHFR mutation. However, even if you don’t have an MTHFR issue, it’s still best to choose more metabolically active forms of folate and avoid high doses of folic acid. 

In fact, one case study of a woman with infertility shows that high doses of folic acid may be harmful and actually increase homocysteine levels . When this woman stopped the folic acid and was given 500 mcg of methylfolate instead, her homocysteine levels dropped to a normal level within five days! The researchers of this study argue that methylfolate should be proposed instead of folic acid for periconceptional support and even for nutrition supplementation in general.

Excess folic acid has also been shown in an animal study to promote higher insulin levels (combined with insulin resistance), altered cholesterol levels, and a greater likelihood to overeat. 

Overall, we recommend choosing a prenatal or multivitamin containing methylated folate, which is often seen on the label as:

L-methylfolate
L-5-MTHF
5-MTHF
Magnafolate

Additionally, aim to increase your intake of dietary folate by eating more dark leafy greens, legumes, avocados, and liver from grass-fed animals (we realize this last one may take some convincing!). 

Folic Acid vs. Folate: Which is Better
Magnafolate® L Methylfolate(active folate)—maximizes the supplementation delivering a "finished" folate the body can immediately use without any kind of metabolization.
It can better supplement the folate that the body lacks.

Jinkang Pharma ,the Manufacturer & Supplier of L Methylfolate raw materials.
Previous:Why is L methylfolate better than folic acid? Next:Essential Reading for Overweight Moms: Folate “Transport Breakdown” Skyrockets Fetal Development Risks!
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