5-MTHF: The Best Form Of Folate SupplementationIn the body, the folate molecule goes through several enzymatic steps to become the active molecule 5-MTHF. It is the active 5-MTHF form of folate that participates in the homocysteine-lowering step that results in the production of the safe amino acid, methionine which is essential to cellular function. In theory, supplementing with folic acid—the most common form of folate in supplement form—should provide the body with the folate it needs to convert dangerous homocysteine into safe methionine. Unfortunately, this readily available homocysteine-lowering regimen doesn’t work for everyone. That’s because in order to make the conversion from folate to the active 5-MTHF, an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase or MTHFR is necessary—and not everyone carries the same genetic version of this important enzyme. It is estimated that between 5 and 10% of the population has a gene variant that reduces MTHFR activity by 70%, while nearly 50% of people of European descent have a genetic variation that decreases MTHFR activity by as much as 35%. If you fall into these categories, you are likely to be a victim of methylation deficiencies that can cause numerous issues with the nervous or immune system. The solution is simple: Instead of relying only on the folic acid in your multinutrient formula, supplement with 5-MTHF. A wealth of laboratory and human studies demonstrate that 5-MTHF is the best form of folate required. The conversion process diagram below guides you through the steps the body must take in order to convert folic acid or folate to the active form 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate which is essential to every cell in the body. At Neurobiologix we start with the active form of folate so your body does not have to go through the process of conversion.
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