If you pregnant or taking folic acid for some reason, you should read this: Via Lisa Fillis ND Stop Taking Folic Acid Folate is the umbrella term for the different forms of folate, including folic acid. Folate, in it’s active form, is essential for DNA synthesis and repair, creating methyl groups, processing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, supporting your immune system and more. Your body takes folate from food and converts it to the active form, 5-MTHF. The folic acid that’s in our supplements and “fortified” foods is a synthetic molecule that is not found in nature. Folate is found naturally in liver, egg yolks and vegetables, especially the leafy greens. So folic acid is a folate, but Folate does not equal folic acid. Why we make this distinction is that 45% of the population have trouble converting folate into the active form, which is what does all the work in the body. So when you take in folic acid, chances are you are 1. Creating more work for your body, and 2. Putting your body at risk for more disease. The US started making recommendations for giving pregnant women supplemental folic acid in 1991 when they realized that it helped with neural tube defects. And in 1996, the FDA made a mandate for fortifiying flour and grain products with folic acid. However, there have been multiple studies in the last few years linking unmetabolized folic acid to cancer. And, there is lots of evidence that those individuals who have trouble converting folic acid to the active folate are at risk for multiple health issues. So…switch to a B complex that contains the active folate, not folic acid, especially if you are one of the 45% that have sluggish methylation. And try to avoid other supplements that contain folic acid, as well as “fortified” foods. A good B vitamin label should say: L-methyl-folate or (6s) 5-MTHF It should not say: Folic acid or “Folate as Folic acid”
Posted on: Sat, 03 May 2014 00:24:58 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015