What Studies Have Shown about 5-MTHF?

Many studies have been conducted over the years comparing supplementation of 5-MTHF with that of folic acid and the two main advantages (of 5-MTHF) that have been found are...

5-MTHF reduces the potential for masking the haematological symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, and
5-MTHF may be associated with a reduced interaction between drugs that inhibit dihydrofolate reductase.
Overall conclusions which have been drawn are that “the two compounds have comparable physiological activity, bioavailability and absorption at equimolar doses...” and that “5-MTHF is at least as effective as folic acid in improving folate status, as measured by blood concentrations of folate and by functional indicators of folate status, such as plasma homocysteine.”

However, there is an exception to the above conclusions. Recent studies have uncovered that approximately half the European population appear to have a mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene, which leads to inactivation, or impaired function of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme.

methylfolate(5-mthf)


The MTHFR enzyme is responsible for the formation of 5-MTHF. Therefore a mutation in this gene can result in moderately elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood, among other problems, and for women there is an increased risk of having a miscarriage or a baby with neural tube defects. Supplementation with 5-MTHF over folic acid in these situations gives you the opportunity to deliver the reduced (activated) folate that does not need to be converted by the reductase enzyme. Furthermore, it avoids the build up of free folic acid in the circulation.

Magnafolate® ,the Manufacturers & Supplier of L-5-Methylfolate.
Previous:Which isomers are present in the nutrient? Is L or (6S) best? What about (6S)+(6R) or DL? Next:Folic Acid: Could Over One-Third of Expectant Fathers Be Supplementing Incorrectly? New Options for Active Folate Considering Genetic Differences
Let's talk

We're Here to Help

Contact Us
 

展开
TOP