Are methylfolate, folic acid, and folate the same? The body needs methylfolate, this is the purest form of vitamin B9. Why does the body need it? What is methylfolate benefits for body? Let’s see below!
Supplements are on various forms
Supplements are made from various ingredients and these ingredients come in various forms. For this reason, our bodies sometimes have different reactions due to different ingredients for making supplements.
What is Folate
Folate comes from various forms. What is folate? This is vitamin B9, the human body cannot produce its own folate so humans need to get it from food such as vegetables. Vegetables rich in folate include kale, spinach, and broccoli. However, if you don’t get folate from food, you can get it from supplements, now there are various types of folate supplements. A folic acid is a synthetic form of folate.
What is Methylfolate and Its Useful
Methylfolate which can also be obtained from supplements is a form of folate that is the most active and more natural. When we consume folic acid, we depend on Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), these are genes and enzymes that exist throughout our body that are useful for converting folic acid to active folic acid, L-methylfolate. If the body gets enough folic acid, this process becomes very important.
1. The methylfolate benefits for the body
We need Methylfolate which is useful for producing red blood cells. So, folate deficiency can cause blood deficiency or anemia. If this happens during pregnancy, the risk of birth defects will increase. L-Methylfolate or more active folic acid is the only form of folic acid that can cross the blood-brain barrier. The purpose of this process is to provide the synthesis of neurotransmitters related to mood regulation (serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine). So, when a person lacks L-Methylfolate (active folic acid), the risk can be stress or depression.
So, taking supplements of Methylfolate can help fight depression.
The benefits of Methylfolate for the body are related to DNA. The MTHFR gene and L-methylfolate also play an important role in repairing DNA damage, helping the methylation cycle and it also supports the body’s immunity, detoxifies the body, produces a lot of energy and so on.
If the methylation cycle fails, this is at risk for various autoimmune diseases, including autism. The MTHFR gene will help control homocysteine if the work is still needed, this is an amino acid found in the body. If homocysteine is found in high concentrations, a person can experience strokes and heart attacks. The presence of the MTHFR gene is very important. If this gene is problematic, the body will get many diseases very quickly.
2. So why not just consume folate?
Actually, there’s nothing wrong with consuming folate. But consuming Methylfolate has its own purpose. Folate is vitamin B and is soluble in water. Some individuals experience gene mutations and this affects MTHFR enzyme. Meaning, this person cannot convert folic acid to Methylfolate. So, it is very important for those who experience gene mutations not to consume folic acid, but instead they can take Methylfolate. So, the body does not need to change folic acid anymore (because in this condition the body cannot convert folic acid to Methylfolate)
Note: If you experience gene mutations or digestive problems and take folic acid, your body will contain folic acid that is not metabolized. This will end badly in your body, so it is very important to consume Methylfolate instead of folic acid.
3. Why Methylfolate is better than folic acid?
Remember! What is your goal for taking folic acid? of course to change to Methylfolate. If so, why not just take Methylfolate from the start? So, however, it is the most effective form of folate to consume. If so, why don’t all supplement companies take Methylfolate alone, Yes, you can argue but methylfolate is a very expensive and more sophisticated material.
Now you are expected to understand what folate and Methylfolate are and the Methylfolate benefits for the body. Whether you have a gene mutation or not, you should check with a professional doctor.
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