Folic acid (Vit. B9)

Folate/folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin and belongs to the group of B vitamins. It is sometimes also called vitamin B9 or vitamin B11, less commonly the name vitamin M.

The advantages of methylfolate compared to conventional folic acid speak for themselves:
Methylfolate, unlike traditional folic acid, is the bioactive form of folic acid that can be used directly by the body. Here are some of the benefits of methylfolate:

- Better absorption: Methylfolate is needed in its active form to be used efficiently by the body. In contrast, conventional folic acid must first be converted to methylfolate before the body can use it. Some people have difficulty converting folic acid to methylfolate efficiently, which can lead to reduced absorption. Methylfolate bypasses these conversion processes and can be absorbed more easily.

- Genetic tolerance: Some people have genetic variants (for example, the MTHFR gene) that can affect the conversion of folic acid to methylfolate. For such people, taking methylfolate directly can be beneficial, as it is already in a usable form.

- More efficient support: Methylfolate plays a crucial role in the body in methylation, a process important for DNA synthesis, cell division, and the breakdown of homocysteine. By providing methylfolate instead of folic acid, the body can support these processes more efficiently.

- Tolerability: Some people cannot tolerate conventional folic acid well and suffer from side effects such as nausea or stomach upset. Methylfolate is often better tolerated and causes fewer of these problems.

Overall, methylfolate offers some advantages over conventional folic acid due to its natural form and better usability in the body, especially for people with specific genetic factors or individual tolerance problems.

The permitted health claims regarding folic acid/folate are as follows:
- Supplemental folate intake increases folate levels in pregnant women. Low folate levels in pregnant women are a risk factor for the development of neural tube defects in the developing fetus.
- Folate contributes to the growth of maternal tissue during pregnancy.
- Folate contributes to normal amino acid synthesis.
- Folate contributes to normal blood formation.
- Folate contributes to normal homocysteine ​​metabolism.
- Folate contributes to normal psychological function.
- Folate contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system.
- Folate helps reduce tiredness and fatigue.
- Folate has a function in cell division.

Folium is the Latin name for leaf. This is where the name for folic acid comes from. And as the name suggests, green leafy vegetables in particular are a good source of folic acid.
Folic acid is water-soluble and can be quickly lost when exposed to heat during cooking. It is therefore particularly important to prepare vegetables as gently as possible. For example, by briefly cooking them at low heat and with little water.

Folic acid is found in the following foods, among others:
• Vegetables: spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, asparagus, cabbage
• Legumes: e.g. soybeans, peas
• Wheat bran and whole grain products
• Egg yolk and liver also contain folic acid