Did you know that there are 13 vitamins essential to your survival? Some of the most important ones are the B’s. You’ll see them listed as niacin (vitamin B3), thiamin (for Vitamin B1), and riboflavin (Vitamin B2). Then there’s that really tricky B vitamin, especially for pregnancy, folate! If you did not know, folate is incredibly important for your health at all stages of life. But which do you use, folic acid or folate? And is there a difference?
Now we know that all you pregnant mamas want to do all that is possible to make sure you and your baby are getting everything you need for a healthy and happy baby! So we suggest you dig a bit deeper into the folate vitamin group. When you do you will discover that folate is most effective when converted into L-MethylFolate (MF).
Benefits of L-Methylfolate vs. Folic Acid During Pregnancy and Why L-Methylfolate is the Way to Go!
Why are folate and folic acid important for pregnancy? Well for healthy growth and development. Folate and folic acid also help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects. According to the US National Library of Medicine, “Neural tube defects are birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord. They often happen in the first month of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows that she is pregnant. The two most common neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly. ”
Our prenatal protein shakes not only taste great! They also are formulated with the best possible source of each prenatal vitamin. So Mommi’s prenatal protein shakes* include L-Methylfolate!
Here’s the Gist:
When you don’t have enough folate in your body you lack red blood cells which can make you feel tired and fatigued – sound familiar mama?
Folate comes in natural and synthetic forms. You have probably heard of folic acid, the synthetic form. Research shows that about half of pregnant women carry gene variants that make synthetic folic acid underutilized during pregnancy. Basically, it’s not doing its job.
What is Folate’s Job During Pregnancy Anyway?
Folate is an essential nutrient best known for supporting neural tube development during pregnancy. Folate is still a must-have for anyone – not just during pregnancy. It’s involved in DNA synthesis. Without folate, you won’t have enough red blood cells, which causes a decrease in energy. And who needs that?
What’s the Best Way to Get Folate?
We always recommend food as the best source to get nutrients (if you are lucky enough to keep it down :). Try to eat lots of leafy greens like kale and spinach (these are GREAT and you can hardly taste them in Mommi shakes by the way;). Folate is also found in yeast, fruit, and legumes. The problem is you never know how legit the folate is after prepping and cooking.
A surefire way is to look for a supplement that contains folate. That way you can make sure you have enough, especially during pregnancy.
What’s Better During Pregnancy? Synthetic or Natural
Folic Acid Benefits
- It enters your intestinal cells quicker than the natural form of folate.
Folic Acid Challenges
- Folic Acid needs to be converted into 6S-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate (MTHF) once it enters your cells before it’s useful for your body.
- About half of pregnant women carry gene variants that make it difficult to reap the benefits from Folic Acid. This means that most common folic acid supplements are ineffective.
- In developing Mommi, one of our primary goals was to create a prenatal supplement that was easy to digest. We also strived to deliver vitamins that transferred quickly and effectively to the bloodstream. It’s one of the reasons we went with a prenatal shake. Liquid vitamins tend to get into your bloodstream quicker. So naturally, using the more effective form of folate for your body, L-Methylfolate – MTHF was a must.
- L-Methylfolate doesn’t need to go through enzyme conversion.
- For pregnant women that carry a gene variant to hinder the benefits of folate, L-Methylfolate can work.
The Bottom Line
The healthiest dietary sources of folate are found in whole foods. But let’s face it, how many leafy green vegetables can you add to your daily diet? Sometimes our diets require a little extra boost. L-Methylfolate – MTHF can be a healthier alternative when you need to bump up your pregnancy supplements!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Before starting any prenatal supplement please consult with your OB/GYN.