Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Filter by Categories
Active Lifestyle
Adaptogens
Allergies
Amino Acids
Antioxidants
Bladder Support
Blood Sugar Health
Body Care
Bone Health
Brain Health
Children's Health
Cleansing/Detox
Cold/Flu
Digestive Health
Environment
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential Oils
Fatigue
Fermentation
Functional Foods
Greens
Hair Health
Hair, Skin, Nails
Healthy Living
Heart Health
Herbal Remedies
Homeopathics
Homepage Feature
Hormone Health
Immune Health
Inflammation
Joint Health
Liver Health
Lung Health
Men's Health
Minerals
Natural Beauty
Oral Care
Pain Relief
Pet Health
Positive Aging
Prenatal Health
Probiotics
Recipes
Sexual Health
Skin Care
Sleep
Stress
Teen Health
Vision Health
Vitamins
Weight Loss
Women's Health
< Back to Prenatal Health
Active Folate for Women's Health

Active Folate for Women’s Health

Folate is the naturally occurring and metabolically active form of vitamin B9 found in foods such as liver, dark leafy green vegetables, avocados, legumes, and asparagus. It functions as a coenzyme supporting other enzymes in the body and is essential for red and white blood cell production.

Folate is important for women’s health as it helps breakdown hormones, aide’s detoxification, affects mood and promotes a healthy pregnancy. Adequate folate intake at least 3 months prior to becoming pregnant and during early pregnancy may reduce the risk of neural tube defects in infants.

Your body must convert folic acid to the metabolically active form of folate, L-methylfolate, before your body can use it. Most naturally occurring food sources of folate are already in this active form. Methylfolate is the most active form of folate in the body. It is well absorbed and can effectively raise folate levels in your blood.

Folic acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B9 found in many multivitamins, fortified foods, and certain pharmaceuticals. Your body must convert folic acid to the metabolically active form of folate, L-methylfolate, before your body can use it. Most naturally occurring food sources of folate are already in this active form.

Taking too much folic acid may mask a vitamin B12 deficiency by preventing megaloblastic anemia (often the first sign of deficiency).  A vitamin B12 deficiency may cause other symptoms like numbness, tingling, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, and more.

Methyfolate supplements do not mask B12 deficiencies. Methylfolate supplements are already in the active form and can start working right away. Alternatively, folic acid requires four conversions to get to the active form and is highly dependent on individual genetics and other nutrients for an effective conversion.

L-5-methyltetratrahydrofolate as found in Health First Active Folate Supreme, is the active form of folate. It is well absorbed and can effectively raise folate levels in your blood. It is critical for supporting normal early development of the fetal brain and spinal cord and preventing neural tube defects. It is recommended that women of reproductive age supplement with folate prior to conception, during the first several weeks after conception, and all the way through pregnancy.

Health First Active Folate Supreme

About the Author: Health First Network

“Health

Health First Network is Canada’s leading membership group for independent health & wellness retailers and the exclusive supplier of the premium Health First supplement brand. There are over 130 independently owned and operated retail Members across the country. Click here to learn more about Health First.