Methylfolate | Folic Acid

Folic Acid and Pregnancy

Folic acid (folate) is one of the most important vitamins. It is essential for everyone, but experts agree that it is particularly crucial for pregnant women and those planning to become pregnant to ensure they get an adequate amount of folic acid.

Folic acid is important for the formation of the placenta. It is also necessary for the development of the nervous system and the growth of the unborn child at the beginning of pregnancy.

When and How Long to Take Folic Acid

Before and during pregnancy: In general, it is recommended to start taking folic acid at least one month before conception. This allows the body to build up a sufficient supply of folic acid.

If it takes longer to become pregnant, simply continue taking folic acid. It does no harm. Once the pregnancy is confirmed, it is recommended to continue taking folic acid daily during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.

In case of a folic acid deficiency: Take the prescribed dose daily at a fixed time.

Folic Acid Deficiency

Folic acid naturally occurs in foods such as:

• green leafy vegetables
• legumes
• whole grain products
• certain types of fruit

However, folic acid absorption can be compromised by various factors, such as:

• The method of preparing vegetables (boiling, frying, etc.)
• Poor eating habits
• Lack of appetite
• Digestive issues
• Medication use
• Stress

A deficiency in folic acid can manifest in various symptoms. Folic acid plays numerous roles in the body. Since the body cannot store folic acid, it is important to maintain adequate levels through dietary intake or, if that is insufficient, by taking a supplement.

What is Folic Acid For?

Folic acid plays a key role for pregnant women and women trying to conceive, due to the support it provides in:

• The formation of the placenta and the growth of the baby during pregnancy.
• The development of the unborn baby's nervous system at the start of pregnancy.

Folic acid is also involved in many functions within the body, such as:

• the normal functioning of the immune system
• mental well-being
• normal blood formation
• reducing fatigue and tiredness
• a normal homocysteine metabolism
• adaptability in stressful situations
• the synthesis of amino acids
• the normal functioning of memory
• concentration

Because the focus on folic acid is often related to pregnancy, it is frequently forgotten that men also need folic acid. A specific role for folic acid in men involves the production of healthy sperm, due to its involvement in cell division and cell production.

Folic Acid Side Effects

The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) has established a safe upper limit for folic acid of 1000 mcg from dietary supplements. At higher doses, folic acid may cause adverse effects, such as gastrointestinal complaints or skin rashes.

Pay Attention to Vitamin B12 Levels

Since folic acid and vitamin B12 work together in various bodily functions, it is important to monitor the balance. High levels of folic acid can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Which Folic Acid Is the Best?

When it comes to folic acid, methylfolate is the absolute best option: it is the most effective and the safest form of folic acid. Increasingly, it has become clear that the use of the non-natural form has several disadvantages. This inferior and inexpensive form is called 'pteroylmonoglutamic acid' in full.

Methylfolate is the natural form of folic acid. It is often simply referred to as folate, but non-natural folic acid may also be labeled as folate. Therefore, make sure that the product contains the natural form, methylfolate.

Virtually all supplement brands sell a folic acid product. Patented methylfolates are preferred in these products. For example, Vitakruid uses the patented Quatrefolic®, and Thorne uses Extrafolate-S®, both patents from Gnosis in France. Solgar uses the German patent Metafolin® from Merck.

Folic acid is good for:

• Pregnancy
• Homocysteine
• Immune-system
• Psychological functioning
• Blood formation
• Energy and Fatigue

Written by: Marcella van der Wel
Reviewed by: Liesbeth Thoen

Updated on: January 13, 2025