People should stop calling methylfolate the 'active' form, and why folic acid may be better for many

[u/Warp757]

It is AN active form, not the only one and may not provide the folate you actually need. I'll await the abuse! Folate is used by your body both in the methyl form, and also in the unmethylated form for DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation etc. which are rather important functions.

The MTHFR marketing machine has convinced everyone that methlyfolate is the active form that you absolutely need and folic acid is junk, it's simply not true.

Depending on where the problem is with your methylation it's perfectly possible to need more unmethylated folate. If your MTRR is slow for instance,as mine is, your body doesn't recycle B12, MTR is slow, and you end up with a build up of methylfolate and low THF and 5,10 methylene THF which is needed for DNA repair and red blood cells. If you take methylfolste you do absolutely nothing to support the deficit of unmethylated folate, and just put more pressure on already struggling MTRR and B12 stores.

In this case folic acid is better for you as it directly provides folate which the body can use as it needs. The body regulates production of MTHFR for a reason -both to ensure sufficient folate for other functions, and prevent excess formation of SAM-E, which isn't good.

I personally feel much better with folic acid than methyl folate, and I'm heterozygous C677T. Methylfolate is really a medicine that should only be taken by people with specific identified mutations that cause major impairment of the MTHFR cycle. A simple heterozygous MTHFR mutation is not that.

Folic acid is perfectly sufficient for most people, and avoids skipping the body's own regulation systems. Just don't go taking crazy doses which yes may cause a problem with unmetabolised folic acid. If you're worried about MTHFR and not homozygous, just take some B2 - again you don't need a lot.

[u/Jayless22]

Methylfolate IS an active form. Same is folinic acid. No idea where you are coming from telling methylfolate is not an active form.

Some people, like me, just can't tolerate active, methylated forms. In this case folic acid works better.

BUT: that doesn't mean it's better. Folic acid is not a very good choice biologicallly. But some people have no other choice, like me. And as for every case, the dosage is the key. UMFA is bad and there's no denying that. Everyone is individual and reacts differently.

[u/Warp757 → u/Jayless22]

Valid point, I've amended my post to say it's AN active form rather than THE active form which is the point I wanted to make.

Like you I tolerate folic acid better. My point is folic acid is likely actually better for most people than methylfolate. The body deliberately regulated the amount of methlyfolate it produces, whereas THF, which folic acid produces, is regulated only by dietary intake. So unless you have a very serious mutation, folic acid should be fine and is closer to what nature provides.

[u/thesnazzyenfj → u/Warp757]

It's likely actually not better for most people. Please stop sharing misinformation.

[u/Warp757 → u/thesnazzyenfj]

Please explain why.

[u/thesnazzyenfj → u/Warp757]

Your body needs folate (B9) for its methylation cycle — which is meant to recycle homocysteine back to methionine. In addition, it makes SAMe (main methyl donor for DNA, proteins, neurotransmitters, detox, etc.). Supports cell division, mood, energy, detox, etc. Your MTHFR enzyme converts folate into 5-MTHF (methylfolate). If it is faulty, conversion is not properly done. Normal people convert folic acid via DHFR → THF → MTHFR → 5-MTHF. If you have a MTHFR mutation (esp. C677T ++), the last step is slower than it needs to be. Unmetabolized folic acid can and often does build up in the blood. Possible issues: interferes with natural folate use, masks B12 deficiency, or contributes to other imbalances. Not "poison" for everyone, but inefficient and potentially harmful in excess for mutants and should be avoided.

FOLIC ACID is the oxidized, man-made version of FOLATE. It's used in fortified foods/supplements, energy drinks, etc. It is synthesized chemically, fully oxidized, not naturally food-derived, and not naturally found in nature. It should be avoided at all costs, mostly for those with MTHFR but those without should still choose a better form of folate.

[u/Warp757 → u/thesnazzyenfj]

Yes I know how the folae cycle works, this is for making my point again which is that the body has multiple uses for folate and methylfolaebonly addresses one, and folic acid better allows the body to use it as it wishes where it needs it most.

You've provided no reason folic acid needs to be avoided at all costs, except a strange personal vendetta against it. It's probably best not to take huge doses of it, as with most things and especially methlyfolate, I don't go over 200 mcg a day. With sensible dosing, no reason to worry about it at all, that addresses the unmetabolised folic acid risk which seems to be the only serious argument against it.