Folic Acid vs. Methylated Folate During Pregnancy

 

For pregnant women, the entire vitamin B complex plays a key role in the health of both the mother and developing baby.

Perhaps the most essential of these is vitamin B9, also known as folic acid or methylated folate. This vitamin has the proven ability to help prevent neural tube defects in newborns, which is why pregnant women are encouraged to consume a sufficient amount during their pregnancy.

So what's the difference between folic acid and methylated folate? The difference is very important for pregnant women to understand.

Both are forms of vitamin B9, but folic acid is the synthesized version, commonly found in processed foods and supplements. Contrarily, methylated folate is found in whole foods, especially dark leafy greens. A large percentage of women have a common defect in their MTHFR gene that doesn't allow them to convert folic acid into active methylated folate. So, if you want to be sure you are absorbing the essential vitamin B9 during pregnancy, your best bet is to consume whole foods containing methylated folate. 1

These whole foods are rich in methylated folate:

  • Spinach

  • Kale

  • Asparagus

  • Brussel sprouts

  • Broccoli 

  • Peas

  • Chickpeas 

  • Kidney beans 2

In addition to whole foods, our favorite prenatal supplement contains methylated folate. You can find that in our online apothecary here.

To read more about methylated folate and deficiency, click here.

Let us know if you have any questions on this topic, our holistic nutritionists are happy to help! 


1 Folate and Folic Acid in Pregnancy. (2020, August 25). Retrieved December 09, 2020, from https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/infertility/folate-vs-folic-acid-68699/

2 MTHFR Gene, Folic Acid, and Preventing Neural Tube Defects. (2020, July 06). Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/mthfr-gene-and-folic-acid.html


 
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