L-Methylfolate Benefits (depression, etc.) + Side Effects

Methylfolate is crucial to DNA synthesis and detoxifying homocysteine. What role does it play in pregnancy, development, and mental health? Find out here. Folate, otherwise known as vitamin B9 , is one of the 13 essential vitamins. Vitamins come in different forms called vitamers that often need to be converted in the body to active forms of the vitamin. The active form of folate in the body is L-methylfolate, also known as levomefolic acid, which can cross both cell membranes and the blood-brain barrier [ 1 ]. A critical role of L-methylfolate is to act as a regulator of a class of neurotransmitters called monoamines. The three different neurotransmitters it helps make are [ 2 ]: Folate can’t be synthesized by the body, so it must be ingested either through food or supplements [ 3 ]. The synthetic form of folate is folic acid , which can be found in fortified foods such as bread and cereals, and multivitamins [ 2 , 4 ]. Dihydrofolate is the dietary form of folate and can be found in green vegetables, egg yolk, legumes, grains, nuts, some fruits, yeast, and organ meats like liver and kidneys [ 2 , 4 ]. Both folic acid and dihydrofolate are converted into L-methylfolate in the body by a specific enzyme. It is then transported into the brain where it increases the production of the three neurotransmitters mentioned above [ 2 ]. Unmetabolized folic acid has been associated with an increased incidence of prostate cancer, lower cognitive test scores, and smaller red blood cells . Some researchers and health professionals have therefore started recommending L-methylfolate supplements rather than folic acid [ 5 , 6 ]. Although many people take L-methylfolate supplements, much of the naturally ingested L-methylfolate actually comes in the form of different folates such […]

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