5-MTHF
About 5-MTHF
Many people are familiar with the need for folate for an expectant mother because it reduces the risk of having a child with a birth defect of the brain or spinal cord.* But folate is a crucial nutrient for all of us: women, pregnant or not, and men. Folate acts like a master switch for a process in the body called the methylation cycle, which is the mechanism that allows the “gears” in our body to turn by turning on and off the individual biological switches for a host of body systems.*
When the methylation cycle is working optimally, it has a significant positive impact on the biochemical reactions that regulate our cardiovascular, neurological, reproductive, and detoxification systems, specifically reactions relating to DNA production, histamine metabolism, estrogen metabolism, eye health, fat metabolism, cellular energy, and liver health.*
Because folate also contributes to the production of serotonin, melatonin, dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, it is also key for healthy mood.*
The Thorne Difference
Also known as Folate, Active Folate or Vitamin B9
- Thorne’s 5-MTHF is the biologically active form of folate. It is ready to be used by the body and bypasses the MTHFR conversion step. This form passes the gastric barrier and is absorbed mainly in the small intestine by a carrier-mediated mechanism, which ensures higher folate uptake.
The Science
Mood and Cognition
Pregnancy and Fetal Development
The significance of 1793G>A polymorphism in MTHFR gene in women with first trimester recurrent miscarriages. . Neuro Endocrinology Letters 2010;31(5):717-723. . Seremak-Mrozikiewicz A, Drews K, Kurzawinska G, et al.
Glucoraphanin ameliorates obesity and insulin resistance through adipose tissue browning and reduction of metabolic endotoxemia in mice. . Diabetes 2017;66(5):1222-1236. . Nagata N, Xu L, Kohno S, Ushida Y, et al.
Is 5-methyltetrahydrofolate an alternative to folic acid for the prevention of neural tube defects? . Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2013;41(5):469-483. . Obeid R, Holzgreve W, Pietrzik K.
Impact of folate and homocysteine metabolism on human reproductive health. . Human Reproductive Update 2007;13(3):225-238. . Forges T, Monnier-Barbarino P, Alberto J, et al.
Maternal methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism and Down Syndrome risk: a meta-analysis from 34 studies. . PLoS One 2014;9(9):e108552. . Rai V, Yadav U, Kumar P, et al.
CDC grand rounds: additional opportunities to prevent neural tube defects with folic acid fortification. . Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2010;59(31):980-984. . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
