Folic acid or MethylFolate?

[Orangeflowers]

Hi, I'm currently taking the NHS recommended 400mcg dose of folic acid. I've read in 'It takes an egg' and elsewhere however that MethylFolate is better? Is anyone taking this instead of folic acid or taking both? I'm assuming that MethylFolate is a better absorbed version of folic acid, so I wouldn't need to take both..?

Thanks

[Kseye]

I just take a supplement with methyl folate on it’s own, I think it is easier for the body to absorb and use it.

[Hidden]

I take a separate methylfolate supplement as well as a pregnancy supplement

[PixieB26]

Hi Orangeflowers, I take the natural form of folate, there’s a couple of good brands: Terranova Prenatal and Wild Nutrition.

I was grateful to read about this last year on an article, it’s amazing women aren’t told about the benefits of folate vs folic acid.

[Orangeflowers in reply to PixieB26]

Thanks, it is surprising yes. I would have thought the NHS website should at least say folic acid or methylfolate/ folate. I was also surprised that vitamin D wasn't mentioned to me until one of my screening bloods came back with a level so low the nurse was surprised I was functioning!🤣

[PixieB26]

I had the same issue with vitamin d, I have been so unwell a couple of times and it’s always been because of that. So much info just isn’t out there for women to know. I tried to kindly advise some pregnant friends about the folate/folic thing and they didn’t respond, maybe they thought I was being a know-it-all but it’s sad that women aren’t given the options of what they would prefer to take.

Glad you’re able to switch to folate now!

[Purpledoggy]

'It Starts With The Egg' recommends taking methylfolate (not folate or folic acid) just in case you have the mutation that stops you metabolising folic acid/folate, as for people that don't have it it will make no difference but for people who do it will mean you don't become effectively deficient. I take methylfolate for this reason as I have not been tested for the mutation (amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01.... You don't need to take folic acid/folate as well but it will be in the preconception vitamins, if you take them, and it's OK to have both as long as it's not in high quantities. xx

[Sangzee in reply to Purpledoggy]

Hi, how much methyl folate is recommended?

[Purpledoggy in reply to Sangzee]

Same as folic acid - in the UK it is 400ug.