Quatrefolic®: The right choice of folate
Although the benefits of folate are well known, the variety of its forms remains unfamiliar to many. After highlighting the notable differences between folic acid and the active form of folate, there is a Quatrefolic® infographic comparing the characteristics of the two forms of active folate, glucosamine salt and calcium salt, including a key difference in stability.
Historically, the folate market has opposed folic acid and active folate, and the development of two active folate salts, specifically calcium salt and glucosamine salt, expands the folate conversation. The glucosamine salt is patented and produced by Gnosis by Lesaffre and is known as Quatrefolic®, an L-methylfolate. The new Quatrefolic® infographic presents the features that define the two forms.
The active form of folate is the right choice, especially for supporting folate status. Quatrefolic® 5-MTHF is the biologically active form of folate in plasma and can be absorbed without requiring activation, like food folates and folic acid.
This short infographic helps clarify the difference between the two forms.
Deep dive into active folate
Folate, also known as Vitamin B9 or folic acid, is a water-soluble essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in many physiological processes in the body, such as healthy cell growth, DNA synthesis, and red blood cell formation. Adequate intake is important for overall nutrition, while folate deficiency can contribute to issues such as fatigue and anemia.
Supplementation may be especially relevant for women, including during pregnancy, to help reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
People with an MTHFR gene mutation may use active folate forms because folic acid conversion can be less efficient.
L-methylfolate (active folate) can cross the blood-brain barrier and is commonly used in dietary and food supplements.
Folate (5-MTHF) may also be added for nutritional purposes in fortified food, with intake sometimes expressed as dietary folate equivalents.
