REAL folate is much better than folic acid

[WuWei]

REAL folate is much better than folic acid in the "I'm Pregnant" forum.

(cross post related to the biological need for food folate - including 50% of the population who don't know if they carry the MTHFR gene polymorphism which is associated with repeat miscarriages.

New research is focused on adverse effects of our greatly increased synthetic folic acid intakes.

Here is an excellent explanation about MTHFR and pregnancy: http://lifebalanceinfertilitycoach.w...f-miscarriage/



Pat

[rumi]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing, Pat. And hi!!

It seems that and impt function of folate is to convert homocysteine to Methionine, which is one of the amino acids that we need. I wanted to mention that millet is one of the few plant-based sources of methionine. (It also contains folate).

[FireWithin]

thanks for writing this here.

I think it is important for women who are ttc.

I wasn't aware of the difference with my two boys. Both of them have midline issues (tongue tie, sacral dimple and couple of other things). I suspect that I couldn't absorb the folic acid well.

I am planning on getting pregnant this spring. In preparation, I am eating and juicing high folate foods and taking supplements. I use metagenic folapro and Thorne multi-vite. THey both contain the better absorbed form.

[WuWei]

Homocysteine is interesting. I'm not completely clear on the conversion/reconversion process related to methionine. WhoMe is more informed about some of the biochemistry.

I found other food sources of methionine including beans, eggs and fish, various lentils, poultry and meat, onions and garlic, soybeans, seeds and yogurt, cottage cheese, seafood, peanuts.

Neural tube defects in newborn babies has been linked to lowered intake of methionine.

Methionine is important in the treatment of pregnancy-induced toxemia, also.


Pat

[mom61508]

Originally Posted by WuWei

Homocysteine is interesting. I'm not completely clear on the conversion/reconversion process related to methionine. WhoMe is more informed about some of the biochemistry.

I found other food sources of methionine including beans, eggs and fish, various lentils, poultry and meat, onions and garlic, soybeans, seeds and yogurt, cottage cheese, seafood, peanuts.

Neural tube defects in newborn babies has been linked to lowered intake of methionine.

Methionine is important in the treatment of pregnancy-induced toxemia, also.


Pat

Oh the learning never ends!!!!

[HulaJenn]

I think it is always understood that the natural source of all vitamins is better than supplements where possible, but it doesn't outweigh the good effects of supplementing if enough of the natural source is unavailable.
When ttc #3 I had to consult a team of geneticists because our DD2 was born with a genetic defect that could've been prevented with extra folic acid supplementing prior to conception. Lo and behold, baby #3, no defect.
Don't deterr women from taking prenatals or folic acid prior to conception. It prevents so many syndromes and defects....you obviously haven't had a special needs child.

[JustLooking_30]

This is a really interesting thread.

My diet has been pretty bad with few fruits and veggies, but the one thing I've always done right is consume tons of full fat yogurt. I start ttcing this month, and have considerably increased intake of fruits, some veggies and nuts. But I wonder if it is enough.

I started taking new chapter prenatals. For people familiar with this, would you say this is a 'natural' enough source of folate?

[WuWei]

Food folate consumption needs to be approximately 2-3 cups (total) of greens, beans, legumes or liver every single day. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?t...trient&dbid=63


Pat

[WuWei]

Those (30-50%) of us with the MTHFR gene polymorphism need to be extra vigilant to get food folate or 5-MTHF/folinic acid sources of folate, instead of synthetic folic acid supplementation to prevent birth defects, cancers in the mom, asthma in the children, etc.

The critical time related to neuro tube defects is starting pregnancy with a folate deficiency and having inadequate food sources during the first 4-6 weeks after conception. The issue is continued supplementation with synthetic folic acid (instead of folate sources) during pregnancy has its own detrimental issues on the mom and baby.

The original thread has more detailed discussion: http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1184692


Pat

[treehugginhippie]

subbing

[mom61508]

Originally Posted by HulaJenn

I think it is always understood that the natural source of all vitamins is better than supplements where possible, but it doesn't outweigh the good effects of supplementing if enough of the natural source is unavailable.
When ttc #3 I had to consult a team of geneticists because our DD2 was born with a genetic defect that could've been prevented with extra folic acid supplementing prior to conception. Lo and behold, baby #3, no defect.
Don't deterr women from taking prenatals or folic acid prior to conception. It prevents so many syndromes and defects....you obviously haven't had a special needs child.

Buuuutttt real folate is still better than folic acid.

Pat, Would it be to much to eat say 2 cups a dy of greens plus a folate supp like fola pro? I think 1 pill is 800 mcg.

[WuWei]

I don't believe there is a concern with "too much" food folate. The folapro may be unnecessary.

Pat

[Keria]

All I have to say is eat well AND take your folic acid.

[libranbutterfly]

My Biology teacher mentioned this the other day in class. He said that any time there is a natural version and a synthetic, to go with the natural whenever possible. Of course those of us on here know that

[WuWei]

Originally Posted by Keria

All I have to say is eat well AND take your folic acid.

The issue is the folic acid more quickly 'fills' the receptor sites and blocks the ability of food folate to do its job, leading to folate deficiency and excess folic acid circulating in the body, per my understanding.


Pat

[Megan73]

Originally Posted by HulaJenn

I think it is always understood that the natural source of all vitamins is better than supplements where possible, but it doesn't outweigh the good effects of supplementing if enough of the natural source is unavailable.
When ttc #3 I had to consult a team of geneticists because our DD2 was born with a genetic defect that could've been prevented with extra folic acid supplementing prior to conception. Lo and behold, baby #3, no defect.
Don't deterr women from taking prenatals or folic acid prior to conception. It prevents so many syndromes and defects....you obviously haven't had a special needs child.

I agree with you, Jenn. 100%
Folic acid supplementation is cheap, easy and a miracle for the babies who are saved from death and suffering. It's not just NT defects, either.
From what I've read, it would be really hard for most women to get enough from food although routine fortification has meant a significant drop if babies with problems.

[JustLooking_30]

nn

[JustLooking_30]

According to this

http://grove.ufl.edu/~folic/info/folatevsfacid.html

you should supplement with folic acid in ADDITION to food folate. I'm taking New Chapter Perfect, which has food folate in concentrated form. Should I supplement with additional folic acid?