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Supplementation with (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid appears as effective as folic acid in maintaining maternal folate status while reducing unmetabolized folic acid in maternal plasma. Folic acid supplementation is recommended during pregnancy to support healthy fetal development; (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid ((6S)-5- MTHF) is available in some commercial prenatal vitamins as an alternative to folic acid, but its effect on blood folate status during pregnancy is unknown. To address this, we randomised sixty pregnant individuals at 8–21 weeks’ gestation to 0•6 mg/d folic acid or (6S)-5-MTHF × 16 weeks. Fasting blood specimens were collected at baseline and after 16 weeks.
< 20
20 - 40
40 - 60
> 60
Yes
No
First Trimester
Second Trimester
Third Trimester
1st Generation – Food Folate
2nd Generation – Folic acid
3rd Generation – Calcium salt of 5-MTHF
4th Generation – Quatrefolic (5-MTHF glucosamine)
Pre-eclampsia
Recurrent pregnancy loss
Placental abruption
Preterm labor
Any other
Neural tube defects
Low birth weight
Anemia
Autism
1 month before conception
2 months before conception
3 months before conception
Testing every pregnant woman for the existence of a mutated MTHFR gene isn’t a standard medical protocol, but women expressing MTHFR polymorphism may not experience the perceived advantage of FA supplementation and can be at potential risk because they are less able to transform FA. Because the association between the MTHFR polymorphism and a low folate concentration has been assessed, the direct supplementation of an active form, such as Quatrefolic (5-MTHF), through fertility supplements, prenatal vitamins, and dietary supplements, should be strongly considered as being universally beneficial.
Food Folate
Folic acid
Calcium salt of 5-MTHF
Quatrefolic (5-MTHF glucosamine)
1 month post pregnancy
3 months post pregnancy
6 months post pregnancy
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
Effectiveness
Tolerability
Patient compliance
Stability and bioavailability
All of the above