Folate vs. Folic Acid
When it comes to supporting vital bodily functions—from DNA synthesis to mood regulation—the form of folate you choose matters. In this post, we’ll dive into the structural and functional difference between “folic” and “folate”, or more specifically, naturally occurring folate and synthetic folic acid. We will explain why traditional folic acid supplements might leave you with low functional folate levels and highlight why L-methylfolate is the superior choice for your health.
At MethylPro®, our commitment to delivering the highest quality L-methylfolate products means you get the bioactive support your body truly needs.
Structural Differences: Folate vs. Folic Acid
Folate:
Folate is the umbrella term for a group of water-soluble B vitamins naturally present in foods like leafy greens, legumes, and fruits. As folates take part in numerous biochemical reactions in their plant sources, they exist in different forms at different stages of these reactions. Of these various active derivatives, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-methylfolate) is of particular interest because of its readiness to take part in methylation reactions. Natural food folates, however, are susceptible to oxidation during food storage and can rapidly break down when cooked.
Providing L-methylfolate complexed as a calcium salt has made it stable for use in supplements while providing folate in an active form to the body.
Folic Acid:
In contrast, folic acid is a synthetic, oxidized version of folate. It was designed for stability and ease of manufacturing, which has historically made it a popular ingredient in fortified foods and supplements. However, despite its structural similarity to natural folate, folic acid requires conversion by the body to become biologically active.
How They Work in the Body
Regardless of the source, the body ultimately needs folate in its active form, L-methylfolate, to participate in key biochemical reactions, including:
- DNA and RNA Synthesis: Essential for cell division and repair [1].
- Neurotransmitter Production: Critical for mood regulation and cognitive function [1].
- Homocysteine Metabolism: Helps maintain cardiovascular health through methylation processes [1].
The Conversion Process:
Folic acid must undergo a multi-step conversion:
- Reduction by Dihydrofolate Reductase (DHFR): Folic acid is first reduced to dihydrofolate and then to tetrahydrofolate.
- MTHFR Enzyme Action: Tetrahydrofolate is converted into 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-methylfolate), the active form used by cells.
This pathway is crucial, but it isn’t equally efficient for everyone. Click here for more information and a diagram of folic acid conversion and its role in the methylation cycle.
The Pitfall of Folic Acid Supplements
Even if you’re diligent about taking folic acid supplements, many individuals still experience low functional folate levels. Here’s why:
- Conversion Inefficiency: There can be limits on the body’s ability to convert folic acid into L-methylfolate, particularly in individuals with genetic polymorphisms such as MTHFR mutations [2].
- Unmetabolized Folic Acid (UMFA): When conversion is suboptimal, unmetabolized folic acid may accumulate. UMFA potentially interferes with normal cellular functions and masking a true insufficiency of the bioactive form [3,4].
The bottom line? Even with supplementation, you might not be providing your body with the active form it needs for optimal health.
L-Methylfolate: The Superior Supplement Choice
Bypassing the Bottleneck:
L-Methylfolate supplements deliver the bioactive form directly to your system. This bypasses the sometimes inefficient conversion process. It ensures that your body can immediately utilize the vitamin for critical functions like neurotransmitter synthesis, DNA repair, and methylation [1].
Enhanced Bioavailability:
For individuals with compromised conversion pathways, L-methylfolate is not just beneficial—it’s essential. It is the only form of supplementary folate shown to cross the blood-brain barrier, and leads to better outcomes [4]. This is especially true for those with MTHFR gene variants [4].
Why MethylPro® L-Methylfolate Stands Apart
At MethylPro®, we don’t just offer another supplement—we provide a premium solution engineered for optimal health benefits. Here’s what makes our L-methylfolate products stand out:
- Validated Quality:
Our products are manufactured under strict cGMP guidelines, ensuring that every batch meets rigorous quality and purity standards. They are third-party tested at multiple steps in the manufacturing process. This process ensures the ingredients meet the claims on our labels and the capsules are free of any harmful contamination. - Pure, Bioactive Form:
Unlike folic acid, MethylPro® delivers L-methylfolate in its ready-to-use form, guaranteeing immediate bioavailability and efficacy. There are no extra ingredients in our capsules, aside from the nutrients you read on the label. No dyes, preservatives, or fillers of any kind. - Investment in Your Health:
While our products command a premium price, this reflects the superior manufacturing processes, ethical sourcing, rigorous testing, and high-quality ingredients that go into every bottle. When it comes to your health, you deserve nothing less than the best.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the difference between folate and folic acid is more than an academic exercise. It’s a vital component of making informed choices about your health. The inefficiencies in converting folic acid to L-methylfolate can leave you with suboptimal levels of the bioactive vitamin needed for a myriad of bodily functions.
By choosing L-methylfolate from a trusted source like MethylPro®, you ensure that your body gets the support it needs. MethylPro® goes above and beyond to source ingredients ethically and manufacture without excipients, fillers, dyes, or preservatives of any kind. Our products are third-party tested for purity, contaminants, and to ensure our label claims match the products inside the bottle. These are promises many brands can’t match.
Invest in your well-being today with MethylPro® L-Methylfolate—because when it comes to health, the best is worth every penny.
References
- https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/9/3075
- https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=111697
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306987724000665
- https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cns-spectrums/article/good-better-best-clinical-scenarios-for-the-use-of-lmethylfolate-in-patients-with-mdd/732A84D8B7A05A6F2B26E23BF4487C57