Folate and folic acid are often mistakenly used interchangeably for vitamin B9. Folic acid (monopteroylglutamic acid or pteroylmonoglutamic acid) is the oxidized form of vitamin B9; it is not active and is not found in food in this form. This term identifies the chemically synthesized molecule that is present in many vitamin formulations and added into so-called fortified foods. Active folate refers to vitamin B9 in its active form, which is already bioavailable and is in the form that is naturally present in food.
Folic acid as such is not active in the human body and must be converted to 5-Methyl-TetraHidroFolate (MTHF) in order to act. Active folic acid (5-MTHF) has immediate bioavailability and is not subject to plasma accumulation.
If you are looking to become pregnant or are already pregnant, it is very important to choose the most suitable folic acid formulation for supplementation, especially during the first 15 days after conception.
As mentioned, folic acid as such is not active, but it is the precursor of the active form, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), which represents about 98% of all plasma folate. Activation requires two biotransformations in the liver.
Active folic acid (5-MTHF) is naturally occurring vitamin B9, the metabolically active and readily available form. Unlike folic acid, 5-MTHF does not require biotransformations to act.
Several studies have documented that the intake of 400 micrograms (mcg) per day of active folic acid (5-MTHF) allows you to reach the optimal concentration of folate more quickly for preventing the risk of birth defects.
It is important that the intake begins at least one month before conception and continues at least throughout the first trimester of pregnancy.
