Folate vs Folic acid

When it comes to preconception care, folic acid is arguably the most discussed nutrient to support fetal growth and reduce the risk of neural tube defects. However, most of the reputable companies producing high quality supplements have now changed their products to contain folate instead of folic acid. So let’s have a closer look into the science that’s behind this change.

Folate, or vitamin B9, naturally occurs in our food and is involved in many biochemical processes that are fundamental for growth, making it crucial for fetal development. There are over 150 different forms of folate however, the type of folate most commonly found naturally in food is 5-MTHF. It is also the most commonly found form of folate in our body, accounting for around 95-98% of folate found in our blood. More importantly, 5-MTHF is the active form of folate, meaning that it is immediately available for our bodies to utilise without any need for conversion.

Folic acid is the synthetic, ie man-made, version of folate. It is inactive in the body and relies on conversion into its active form by enzymes in the liver. Theoretically this is not an issue however, research shows that 40-60% of the population have a variation in the MTHFR gene which is responsible for the metabolism, ie conversion, of inactive folate. This means that approximately half of the population are unable to efficiently process folate, and in particular folic acid. In this case, taking a folic acid supplement can lead to a build up of inactive folic acid in the body, potentially causing a variety of other health issues.

So why do some prenatal and natal supplements still contain folic acid? Sadly we know that it takes on average 18 years for NICE guidelines to catch up with the latest cutting edge research which is why we can still see folic acid on the shelves.

As Nutritional Therapists, we work with the latest scientific evidence to make the best decisions for our clients when it comes to individual protocol development, including functional testing and supplementation. We deep dive into your unique health history to create a completely bespoke healthcare programme that will help you achieve your goals.

If you areready to take charge of your fertility, we would love to chat to you. Book in for your free 30 minute call today to find out how we can support you!