02/06/2026
If you've heard you need to switch your folic acid to methylated folate 🤔, here's what you need to know.
5-MTHF is the most bioavailable form of folate used by the body. That part is true.
👂But folic acid is the ONLY form proven to reduce neural tube defects. And because we don't fully understand the mechanism by which it does this, we can't say the two are interchangeable.
Why don't we just compare them directly? Once folic acid was shown to reduce neural tube defects, it became unethical to withhold it in pregnancy research. Those trials simply can't be done. 🤷♀️ Yes, there is a plausible mechanism by which methylated folate could reduce neural tube defects, but it ISN'T proven. 🎤
In New Zealand, MTHFR testing isn't routine, so most women making this swap don't know their status.
If you have a known MTHFR variant, don't ditch your folic acid. Consider adding methylated folate alongside it. Not instead of it. Individual advice is really important here.
Follow along if you'd like evidence based nutrition tips to cut through the noise ❤️
