Are L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate and folic acid the same?

Folate or folic acid is in fact Vitamin B9. 
L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate is the more active and natural form of folate. 
Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate. 

The MTHFR enzyme is found throughout the body and it converts folic acid or folate into its active form L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate. 
L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate plays a key role in producing red blood cells, DNA biosynthesis and the methylation cycle, a biochemical pathway that contributes to detoxification (think removing heavy metals from our body), maintaining DNA, supporting immune function, energy production and more.

L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate also aids in the production of neurotransmitters in your brain, such as serotonin, dopamine and epinephrine.
L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate VS folic acid
For decades, we have used folic acid to fortify foods. The body cannot produce folate. Instead, we get it through foods, fortification or supplementation.

L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate is a better choice than folic acid and folate.
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