Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This product contains folic acid! Folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9, also known as pteroylmonoglutamic acid. On the other hand Folate is the naturally-occurring form of vitamin B9. Before folic acid, the synthetic form of B9, can be utilized by the body, it must undergo two conversions—to dihydrofolate (DHF) first and then tetrahydrofolate (THF). Only then, can THF be converted to L-methylfolate, which is the end form of folate that the body requires for many key functions. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), is the key enzyme that regulates this conversion process. However, it is estimated that up to 60% of Americans have genetic variations that reduce their ability to convert L-methylfolate from folic acid on their own. For those who have this genetic variation, supplementing with folic acid may lead to varying amounts of the converted L-methylfolate form, potentially leaving the body with less than it requires. Furthermore, it could lead to a build up of the folic acid form in the body. When someone’s intake of folic acid exceeds their capacity to process it, it can overwhelm the liver and potentially end up in the bloodstream. The unmetabolized folic acid that remains in the bloodstream has been associated with serious health risks that are worth noting. Folate—the form found in whole foods—is preferable to the synthetic folic acid found in some supplements like this one and processed foods. It is both more readily available to the body, and it does not pose the same potential risks of build up. This is why supplementing with L-methylfolate can also be considered superior to using folic acid for those that may not get enough from the diet. Folic acid is not the same as natural folate. Natural folate is beneficial when provided by whole foods, but may be harmful in supplement form as folic acid. While the body converts some synthetic folic acid to folate, it has a limited capacity to do so. Much of the remaining folic acid that is not converted circulates in the blood and tissues unmodified. It is unknown exactly what unmodified folic acid does in the human body. But it has the potential to disrupt normal folate metabolism and there is substantial evidence that it can even promote cancer growth. In addition, synthetic folic acid can disrupt the actions of natural folate as it has a greater capability to bind to folate receptors on our cells. This, in turn, could result in folic acid being preferentially transported into normal healthy cells instead of natural folate. Once inside the cell, folic acid could then compete with natural folates for other binding sites, preventing them from functioning properly and potentially causing changes in normal gene expression or cell growth rates. If supplementing we should make sure to use supplements containing the 5-MTHFR version of supplemental folate, rather than the synthetic form folic acid.