VITALS FOLATE 5-MTHF 400 MCG 100 CAPSULES WITH QUATREFOLIC®, THE BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE FORM OF FOLIC ACID

Folic acid versus active folate
Folic acid (also called vitamin B11 or vitamin B9 in Germany and the US) occurs in food as various 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 in that form is rarely or never found in food. The problem with folic acid is that in a relatively large group of people the conversion into the biologically active 5-MTHF is difficult, which means that supplementation may not be effective enough and may also lead to an undesirable accumulation of unmetabolized folic acid. For these reasons, Vitals only uses Quatrefolic®, which consists of 5-MTHF bound to glucosamine salt.

Figure 1: Folate homocysteine ​​metabolism. (Click on the image to enlarge.)

The development of Quatrefolic®
In the past, it has been difficult to process active folate in a supplement, due to its instability. However, the Italian developer Gnosis has succeeded in stabilizing the folate form by binding it to a glucosamine salt (from a plant source). This resulted in Quatrefolic®, also called the 'fourth generation folate' because of its superior bioavailability compared to 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 involved in the production of cells and tissues, including red and white blood cells. By supporting normal blood formation, folate can help reduce fatigue and contribute to the normal functioning of the immune system. In homocysteine ​​metabolism, 5-MTHF functions as a methyl donor to convert homocysteine ​​into methionine (vitamins B6 and B12 are also involved). A sufficient intake of folate is therefore beneficial for homocysteine ​​metabolism. Methionine is in turn mainly used for the production of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), which is involved as a methyl donor in the production of DNA, RNA, phospholipids, proteins and neurotransmitters, among other things. Finally, folate is also necessary for normal brain and nerve functions, and is therefore good for concentration, memory and mood.

In case of pregnancy (desire)
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 can take a number of weeks for the amount of active folate in the blood to be sufficient. It is therefore necessary and sensible to start supplementing at least four weeks before conception and to continue with this until at least eight weeks after conception. Of course, it is also possible to take extra folate throughout the entire pregnancy. Pregnant women preferably use a pregnancy multivitamin that contains other important nutrients in addition to folate, such as Elke Dag Mama.

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 amino acid synthesis
• is good for homocysteine ​​metabolism
• has a positive effect on the immune system
• contributes to normal psychological functioning
• may help reduce fatigue
• contributes to the formation of the placenta and the growth of the unborn child during pregnancy

Rice flour (Oryza sativa), vegetarian capsule (pullulan, from fermented cassava starch), anti-caking agent (calcium salts of fatty acids), 5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt.