BioActive Folate contains patented Quatrefolic, the bioactive, stable form of folate in the form of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). This form of folate is immediately available and usable for the body. It is more effective than conventional folic acid because it can perform its tasks directly without having to be first converted into active folate.
Folate and/or folic acid are also known as vitamin B9 and are one of the essential B vitamins. Folic acid is only found in our diet in the form of folate. It is mainly found in green leafy vegetables, sprouts, fruits, nuts, dairy products, egg yolks, and liver.
However, folates are not very stable, and about 60-90% of folate is destroyed during cooking and through exposure to light. As a result, even nutrition-conscious people often find it difficult to meet their folate need through diet alone.
On top of that, only about 50% of the folate that makes its way into the body is absorbed. The reason for this is that enzymatic processes in the small intestine must first reduce folate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). Only in this form it can be transported in the blood and perform its tasks in tandem with other vitamins such as B12 and B6.
Folic acid is primarily offered as a nutritional supplement since, to date, it has not been possible to stabilise folate. But even folic acid must first be converted in the body into the active form of folate-5-MTHF, so that it can be used by our cells.
After years of research, an Italian manufacturer has successfully stabilised the bioactive folate form 5-MTHF. This was achieved by binding the folate to vegetal glucosamine. The result is Quatrefolic, which is currently the most effective, stable form of folate with the highest bioavailability.
Quatrefolic passes through the small intestine into the bloodstream and is subsequently absorbed directly into the body's cells, without having to be first converted in the body, as is the case with normal folic acid or folate obtained from food. This permits the folate in the form of 5-MTHF absorbed with Quatrefolic to directly carry out its key tasks in the body's metabolism.
Quatrefolic is also the only form of folate that can cross the blood-brain barrier. This is crucial, as scientists believe a deficiency of folic acid in the brain to be a risk factor for the development of depression or other neurological diseases.
Since Quatrefolic can be directly absorbed by the body without loss, half of the amount usually recommended in the form of folic acid is sufficient.
As previously mentioned, folic acid or folate obtained from food must first be converted by the body into the active folate form 5-MTHF. However, roughly half of all individuals have reduced enzyme function due to a genetic defect, the so-called MTHFR mutation, which can be detected through a gene test.
If the necessary enzymes are missing, unmetabolised conventional folic acid cannot be converted into the active folate 5-MTHF. Since 5-MTHF also activates the inactive form of vitamin B12 - Cobalamin - the presence of this genetic defect also impairs all vitamin B12 metabolism.
This explains why, despite adequate intake of folic acid, some individuals' folate blood levels are too low and they also show symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. Therefore, these individuals require the active form of folic acid contained in BioActive Folate capsules, as well as active vitamin B12 in the form of methyl cobalamin.
The absorption of food-derived folate and folic acid can also be diminished by absorption deficiencies in the intestine caused by e.g. celiac disease, medications, or contraceptives.
A sufficient supply of folates is very important since they are involved in numerous metabolic processes in the body and thus play a vital role in health.
Folic acid deficiency is one of the most underestimated health problems in Europe, and many people absorb far too little of this important vitamin through food.
Folic acid and vitamin B12 are directly dependent on each other for their metabolism. Among others, the active folate form 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) activates cobalamin, the reduced vitamin B12 form, transforming it into methyl cobalamin. Vitamin B12 can only perform its tasks in the body in this activated form.
Methyl cobalamin delivers its methyl group to homocysteine, turning it into methionine. This, in turn, is converted into S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), which has a significant influence on the genes, hormones, the production of antioxidants, neurotransmitters, and detoxification.
On the other hand, vitamin B12 is responsible for reactivating folic acid by converting it back into the form of tetrahydrofolate, which is usable by the body. Consequently, vitamin B12 deficiency can indirectly lead to folic acid deficiency since it remains stuck in an inactive form after some time.
The active form of folate contained in BioActive Folate has no side effects when used at the recommended dosage.
Item No.
6819-13
Brand
Vitality Nutritionals
Servings
90
Unit
Capsules
Made in
Europe
Pack size
14.3 Grams
Net Weight
90
Price per kg/l
€1,607.69 / 1KG incl. VAT
Take 1 capsule daily with a meal or as recommended by your physician.
Each capsule contains:
nbsp;- which contains 400 mcg bioactive Folate
Acacia Gum (bulking agent), Plant Cellulose (capsule), Folate (as Quatrefolic® [6S]-5-Methyltetrahydro-Folate Glucosamine Salt)
Guaranteed pure and free from additives:
Food supplements are not a substitute for a balanced, varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. The recommended daily dose should not be exceeded. Keep out of reach of children. The information provided is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professionals. It is not a statement on healing or a recommendation for self-medication.
When it comes to your health, quality is most important. Therefore our Vitality Nutritionals products undergo state of the art independent laboratory analysis to verify label claims and to ensure that you get the highest quality nutrition supplements.