One more question about folate

[ndodge]

If the body, due to methylation problems, cannot process regular folate, but can process methyl folate, does the non- methylated folate build up in one's system?

Thanks again!

Nancy

[bookish]

Hi, methylation is complex, involving several processes and interactions. Most people have some sort of variant on MTHFR and these generally do not prevent you using folic acid, although some people do find that they feel better with methylfolate (I am one of them), perhaps because their usage is impaired to a greater or lesser extent. Folate is just one part of one-carbon metabolism, and these processes are also B6, riboflavin, B12 and choline- dependent. SNPs cannot be looked at individually as 'one SNP= one health issue', it is far more nuanced than that. But as to folic building up in blood, then yes it can happen. The folate trap, due to inadequate B12, can cause this. I am not sure if this is the only reason, but I doubt it. My own serum folate was high in range prior to starting methylfolate, at which point it dropped. I was already taking oral B12 and had been for years. (It is possible that if I was unable to use this form of B12 then all that I did with the methylfolate was temporarily bypass the folate trap, but it certainly shifted a number of symptoms.) Cheers

[ndodge in reply to bookish]

Hi bookish.,Thank you so much for your detailed and very informative reply.

The methyl folate felt so different from the regular folate. I was very energized from the methyl folate. I inject methylcobalamin several times a week. Hoping I can cut back since the methyl folate seems to work so much better.

The more I learn, the better, so thank you for educating me!🙂

[bookish in reply to ndodge]

Glad to help! Any form of folate needs B12 to work properly and isn't enough on its own. You shouldn't need to take a lot of methylfolate - I never went higher than 1000 mcg and take a regular c. 500 mcg now but divided into three doses during the day as that seems to suit me better. Might be worth sticking with your current B12 regime while your body aclimatises to the methylfolate and then maybe reducing gradually depending on your symptoms. I try to only change one thing at a time - easier to gauge reactions (good or bad) and improvements that way. Some people find too many methyl groups make them anxious or jittery, so always best to take it slow. Good luck.

[ndodge]

Great advice, bookish! I plan on taking 400mcg of methyl folate in a new multi vitamin I'm going to try, but I do have some separate methyl folate that I can cut into 2 or 3 doses, if the one dose proves to be too activating.

I agree that there are a lot of variables here, so it's better to try one thing at a time!

Thanks so much for your super helpful advice and suggestions!

Be well,

Nancy