Vitamin B9 (Methylfolate) is crucial for DNA synthesis, cell division, and neurotransmitter production as its active form.
Methylfolate is the active form of Vitamin B9 (folate), essential for DNA synthesis, cell division, neurotransmitter production, and homocysteine metabolism. Supplementation is beneficial for improving folate status, reducing neural tube defect risk, potentially enhancing mood and cognitive function, and lowering homocysteine levels. While generally safe, potential side effects include insomnia, anxiety, and digestive discomfort.
Key Information
Inside Body Harmful Score
Common Dosage
400-1000 mcg daily
Source Type
synthetic
Production Process
Methylfolate is synthesized through a chemical process involving the reduction and methylation of folic acid or related compounds. Specific methods vary but often involve multi-step organic synthesis.
Use Type
Inside BodyPotential Benefits
Mood regulation is the body's ability to maintain emotional balance through a complex interplay of neurotransmitters, hormones, and brain regions. Effective mood regulation supports stress management and a stable sense of well-being.
Cardiovascular health ensures efficient blood circulation by maintaining healthy heart and blood vessels. Benefits include reduced risk of heart disease and stroke through improved blood flow and heart function.
Prenatal health focuses on the well-being of pregnant women and their developing fetuses through adequate nutrition, managing health conditions, and preventing complications. This care aims to reduce birth defects, promote healthy development, and optimize maternal and infant health.
Methylfolate, the active form of folate, is directly utilized by the body, bypassing enzymatic conversion. This is especially beneficial for individuals with MTHFR gene mutations, improving overall folate status.
Adequate folate intake, especially methylfolate, during pregnancy prevents neural tube defects by supporting healthy cell division and DNA synthesis in the developing fetus. This reduces the risk of conditions like spina bifida.
Methylfolate supports the production of neurotransmitters crucial for mood and cognition. Supplementation may improve mood and cognitive function, especially in individuals with depression or cognitive decline.
Methylfolate reduces homocysteine levels by converting it back into methionine within the methionine cycle. Elevated homocysteine is linked to cardiovascular and other health risks.
Possible Side Effects
Digestive issues include a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, stemming from causes such as medication, food, or underlying conditions. Persistent symptoms require medical evaluation.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder involving difficulty falling or staying asleep, leading to non-restorative sleep. It can be triggered by various factors and can result in daytime fatigue and impaired cognitive function.
Headache is pain in the head ranging from mild to severe, potentially with nausea, light/sound sensitivity, or dizziness. It can be caused by tension, dehydration, stress, or medication side effects, and persistent headaches require medical evaluation.
Anxiety as a side effect involves feelings of worry and unease, potentially leading to restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and panic attacks. It can be triggered by various mechanisms, including drug effects on the CNS or hormonal imbalances, and is often exacerbated by pre-existing anxiety disorders.
Overstimulation involves heightened sensory input leading to feeling overwhelmed. Symptoms include restlessness, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating, often linked to nervous system effects or pre-existing sensitivities.
Headaches are a common side effect characterized by pain in the head, ranging from mild to severe, potentially accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light/sound. They can be triggered by various factors, including dehydration, stress, or medication.
Methylfolate may cause anxiety or irritability in sensitive individuals due to its effect on neurotransmitter levels. Symptoms can range from mild restlessness to more pronounced mood disturbances.
Scientific Evidence
Studies on folate supplementation and neural tube defects (e.g., MRC Vitamin Study Research Group, 1991); Research on methylfolate and depression (e.g., Fava et al., 2012); Clinical trials on methylfolate and homocysteine reduction (e.g., Venn et al., 2003); Meta-analyses on folate and cognitive function (e.g., Ford & Almeida, 2012); Studies on MTHFR polymorphisms and folate metabolism (e.g., Crider et al., 2012).
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