• Patented form of Quatrefolic® folic acid
• Methylated, bioactive form of folic acid
• Recommended for pregnant women and those planning pregnancy
• Promotes the proper functions of the nervous system
• Prevents cardiovascular events
• Helps to regulate the homocysteine level
• Adds energy and fights fatigue
• Reduces the risk of fetal malformations
• Ideal for people with mutation of the MTHFR gene
• Regulates the cycle of methylation processes
• Very high bioavailability

Swanson Folate is a dietary supplement that includes Quatrefolic® - a patented, methylated form of folic acid, characterized by the highest possible bioavailability and biological activity. Each capsule provides up to 400 mcg of bioavailable folic acid and in most cases covers one hundred percent of the daily requirement for this compound.

Folates is a group of chemical compounds with similar structure and properties. For example, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) belongs to them. It is a naturally occurring and biologically active form of vitamin B9. Green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, beets, avocados and asparagus are particularly rich in folates.

Folates are necessary for proper functioning. They participate in the synthesis of amino acids, nucleic acids and neurotransmitters and they affect the expression of genes. They also control the process that allows conversion of homocysteine to methionine and determine the correctness of organogenesis.

Why 5-MTHF is much better than folic acid?
Folic acid, also called pteroyl-glutamic acid, is a chemical compound that has a pteridine base, p-aminobenzoic acid and glutamic acid. Such a compound is very rare in food. In most cases, it is produced in the laboratory and commonly used as a synthetic form of vitamin B9 in supplementation.

Folic acid needs to be transformed into the active form of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) so as to the body would be able to use it for the needs of organism. This slow and quite complicated process takes place mainly in the liver. It is estimated that one in four people suffer from metabolic and genetic disorders (e.g. polymorphism of the MTHFR gene) that prevent the effective metabolism of folic acid. As a result, it is accumulated in the body and the processes requiring the folates, do not take place properly.

Providing the body with folic acid in methylated, active form 5-MTHF solves the problem of its conversion in the body and allows for its effective use for the needs of organism.

The correct development of the fetus
Folic acid is commonly associated with the supplementation of pregnant women. However, the specialists indicate that its deficits should be leveled up before pregnancy. This compound determines the proper development of the fetus and prevents the development of malformations. Intensive cell division, which is characteristic of organogenesis processes, causes the demand for folate to increase drastically. Shaping of fetal neural tube is particularly important because the brain and spinal cord of the child are developed out of this tube. The neural tube is closed about four weeks after fertilization. It is often when a woman realizes that she is pregnant. Neural tube defects usually mean permanent disability or premature death. It can be prevented by maintaining the proper level of folates. In addition, they can reduce the risk of premature birth.

Promotion of the cardiovascular system
The right supply of folate is essential for the heart and cardiovascular system. The utilization of homocysteine plays a major role in the methylation process depending on the presence of folic acid. This compound provides the enzyme with methylene group that is responsible for the methylation of homocysteine. The consequence of folic acid deficiency is the excess of homocysteine in the blood, which most often results in the development of atherosclerosis. In case of hyperhomocysteinemia, tissues of the arteries are most commonly damaged, the platelet aggregation into the endothelium of the blood vessels is increasing and platelets tend to clump. All this increases the risk of cardiovascular events.

Hematopoietic activity
The proper course of nucleic acids metabolism and the process of red blood cells formation depend on the availability of folic acid. Insufficient amount of this compound causes that erythrocytes are pathologically enlarged, live shorter and cannot perform their proper functions. This is often accompanied by thrombocytopenia and the decrease in the number of leukocytes. In extreme cases, it may cause a dangerous disease called megaloblastic anemia.

Well-being and mental performance
Folates are extremely important for the proper development and function of the brain. Researchers proved that their deficiency correlates with degenerative cortex in areas that are responsible for memory and learning. This is probably the result of an increased toxic level for homocysteine neurons. The studies have shown that short-term supplementation with bioactive folic acid in elderly patients with mild cognitive dysfunction has translated into better IQ test results and has a positive effect on short-term memory.

Folates can also be considered as a natural antidepressant. They participate in the synthesis of serotonin and dopamine which largely shape a positive mood. Disorders in their release usually lead to the development of depression and anxiety disorders.

To sum up, Swanson Folate is one of the most effective way to supplement folate deficiencies. Supplementation is especially indicated for pregnant women and those planning pregnancy. It will also be helpful for people with methylation disorders and hyperhomocysteinemia.