Folic Acid and Pregnancy
Taking folate before and during pregnancy supports the development of a healthy brain and spinal cord. It is recommended that folate consumption begin within the first 3-4 weeks of pregnancy so it is important to have folate in your system during those early stages when the baby’s brain and spinal cord are developing. Folate bypasses the need for enzymatic activation making it readily available to be used by the body.
Importance of Methylation
Methylation is the process of attaching methyl groups to a compound in order to produce other compounds or to protect an existing compound from damage. This process is important to good health and well-being as it contributes to a wide variety of bodily functions such as:
• Production of enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters, antibodies, vitamins and cell membranes
• Energy production, immune function and detoxification
• Repairing and building DNA, brain activity and mood balancing
• Healthy inflammatory response, homocysteine management and neurological function
About Folic Acid
Folate is a member of the B vitamin family and is necessary for methylation reactions in that it is required for the donation or transfer of methyl groups and for donating its own methyl group to homocysteine in order to produce methionine for the production of SAMe, the principle methylating agent in the body. Folate is also required for healthy development of cells, brain function and protection from cell damage.
Folate Deficiency
Folates are normally found in a wide variety of foods. However, they are unstable and susceptible to oxidation and rapidly lose activity during food processing, manufacturing and storage. Common folic acid supplements must be converted to its active form by an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase in order for it to be absorbed and utilized by the body. Several conditions such as an enzyme defect, malabsorption, digestive system challenges and, poor liver function can lead to a folate deficiency. Lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol excess, eating disorders, low vegetable intake and chronic dieting put people at risk of low folate levels. As a result, much of society is deficient due to poor metabolism of folic acid from either food or
supplements.
Methyl Folate uses folate because it bypasses the need for enzymatic activation making it readily available to be used by the body.
