Bioactive folate helps produce and maintain new cells and is needed to make DNA and RNA, the building blocks of cells. Both adults and children need folate to make normal red blood cells and prevent anemia. Folate helps maintain the normal metabolism of homocysteine, a potentially harmful amino acid metabolite. Deficiencies of folate are common, as many individuals do not consume enough folate-rich foods. Cooking or processing readily destroys folate present in food. Folic acid, the form of folate commonly used in fortified foods and supplements, must be reduced during absorption to become metabolically useful. However, some individuals do not effectively convert folic acid into its active form, thus are still at risk of deficiency. In addition, unmetabolized folic acid that enters the bloodstream cannot be used by cells and has anti-folate effects that may be deleterious. L-5-MTHF is easily absorbed and readily usable by cells. It is the predominant folate in circulation and the only folate that can cross the blood-brain barrier. L-5-MTHF is an active, methylated form of folate. It requires no additional metabolic steps to be used by the body, thus it is often the preferred choice for those with absorption or metabolic defects.
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