Vitals - Folate 5-MTHF - 100 capsules (400 mcg)

Folic Acid vs. Active Folate

Folic acid (also called vitamin B11 or vitamin B9 in Germany and the US) occurs in food as several forms of folate, including the most biologically active form 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). This is the body's own form in which folate circulates in the blood. Folic acid is the name for the synthetic pteroylmonoglutamic acid, which is used as a source of folate in most folic acid supplements. The compound pteroylmonoglutamic acid is the most oxidized form of folate, and as such is hardly present in food. The problem with folic acid is that the conversion into the biologically active 5-MTHF is difficult for a relatively large group of people, as a result of which supplementation may have an insufficient effect and, moreover, an undesired accumulation of unmetabolized folic acid may occur. For these reasons, Vitals only uses Quatrefolic®, which consists of 5-MTHF bound to glucosamine salt.

The development of Quatrefolic®

In the past, it has proven difficult to incorporate active folate into a supplement due to its instability. However, the Italian developer Gnosis has managed to stabilize the folate form by binding it to a glucosamine salt (from a vegetable source). This resulted in Quatrefolic®, also referred to as the 'fourth generation folate' due to its superior bioavailability over three previous sources of folic acid or folate. This refers to folate from food, synthetic folic acid and 5-MTHF bound to calcium salt. The latter form is much less soluble in water than 5-MTHF bound to glucosamine salt. As a result, Quatrefolic® can be more easily absorbed by the cells in the intestinal wall, which partly explains the higher bioavailability.

Functions of Folate

Folate contributes to normal cell division and is thus involved in the production of cells and tissues, including red and white blood cells. Folate, by supporting normal blood formation, may help reduce fatigue and contribute to normal immune system function. In the homocysteine metabolism, 5-MTHF acts as a methyl donor to convert homocysteine into methionine (vitamins B6 and B12 are also involved). Adequate folate intake is therefore beneficial for homocysteine metabolism. In turn, methionine is mainly used for the production of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), which as a methyl donor is involved in the production of DNA, RNA, phospholipids, proteins and neurotransmitters. Finally, folate is also necessary for normal brain and nerve functions.

During pregnancy

Folate is especially important for women who want to become pregnant or are already pregnant. Folate contributes to tissue growth during pregnancy and thus plays a role in the formation of the placenta and supports the normal growth of the unborn child. The advice to take folate (or folic acid) before and during pregnancy is therefore generally known. It may take several weeks for the amount of active folate in the blood to be sufficient. It is therefore necessary and sensible to start supplementation at least four weeks before conception and continue until at least eight weeks after conception. Taking extra folate during the entire pregnancy is of course also possible. Pregnant women should preferably use a pregnancy multivitamin that contains other important nutrients in addition to folate, such as Every Day Mom

Permitted health claims:

• supports the production of red and white blood cells
• plays a role in the production of cells and tissues
• plays a role in the amino acid synthesis
• is good for homocysteine metabolism
• has a positive effect on the immune system
• contributes to normal psychological functioning
• can help reduce fatigue
• contributes to the formation of the placenta and the growth of the unborn child during pregnancy

Note:

We are not allowed to provide (complete) information about the/all uses of this supplement here.