The Benefits Of Methylfolate

Folic acid, folate, methylfolate—it’s all the same right? Not quite.

Your body needs methylfolate; the purest form of Vitamin B9. Here’s why.

SUPPLEMENTS COME IN ALL FORMS

Supplements include many ingredients. And, while we talk a lot about “quality”, what some people don’t realize is that ingredients can come in different forms. Because of this, our bodies can even react very differently to each of those different forms.

WHAT IS FOLATE?

Folate, also known as Vitamin B9, comes in many variations. The human body cannot produce folate, so we need to get it from our food. Vegetables like spinach, broccoli and kale are rich in this necessary vitamin. And, when you aren’t getting it from the foods you eat, then you can take dietary supplements. One thing to note is that the ingredient folic acid is actually the synthetic version of folate.

WHAT IS METHYLFOLATE?

Methylfolate, which you can also take through supplementation, is the more active and natural form of folate. When we take folic acid, we rely on Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). This is both a gene and an enzyme that is found throughout our body. It converts folic acid to its active form, L-methylfolate. This process is critical to the body having enough folate.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF METHYLFOLATE?

Our body counts on methylfolate to produce red blood cells. A deficiency can lead to anemia or a low red blood cell count. And, if you are deficient during pregnancy, this can potentially lead to birth defects.

L-Methylfolate is the only form of folate that can cross the blood-brain barrier to help facilitate the synthesis of the neurotransmitters associated with mood regulation—serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. A deficiency in L-Methylfolate has been linked to depression. Therefore, taking a supplement containing Methylfolate can help fight against depression.

The MTHFR gene and L-methylfolate also play many other roles in our body. These include repairing DNA, aiding and supporting immune function, the body’s detoxification system, energy production, and more.

A failing methylation cycle has been associated with various autoimmune diseases, including autism. And if that’s not enough, MTHFR helps to control homocysteine, which is an amino acid that, when not regulated or found in the body in high concentrations, has been linked to heart attacks and stroke.

Basically, a malfunctioning MTHFR gene can lead to a host of health problems very quickly.

WHY NOT JUST TAKE FOLATE?

There’s nothing wrong with folate by itself. But, here’s the catch — folate is a B vitamin is water-soluble. Some people have a gene mutation affecting the MTHFR enzyme. For these people, their bodies are unable to convert folic acid to Methylfolate. Therefore, it’s critical that they not take folic acid. They should take Methylfolate instead, to bypass the need to convert the folate.

If you have the gene mutation, or a digestive condition, and you are taking folic acid, you could end up with unmetabolized folic acid and Methylfolate. They’d be competing for attention in your body, which has been linked to poor immune function, and a host of other health conditions.

WHY METHYLFOLATE IS BETTER THAN FOLATE

At Tespo, we think there are just too many variables that can work against you when taking folic acid.

Since the purpose of taking folic acid is for your body to ultimately convert it to Methylfolate, we say, ‘why not just use Methylfolate in the first place’? After all, Methylfolate is the most effective form of folate to take. And if it’s that obvious, why don’t all dietary supplement companies use Methylfolate?

You guessed it—Methylfolate is a more expensive, high-end ingredient. As part of our commitment to quality ingredients and quality products, we include Methylfolate in our Tespo-complete formulas at no extra cost to you. Why? Because at Tespo, your health is worth it to us.

Methylfolate is used in all of the Tespo complete formulas. The Tespo complete formulas are also enhanced with CoQ10, Lutein, and Zeaxanthin.