Vitamin C may boost folate supplement response

Supplementation with vitamin C may increase the uptake of a folic acid derivative, suggests new research from Belgium.

"Administration of a physiological dose of [6S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolate with L-ascorbic acid significantly improved the measured serum folate response in folate saturated healthy men," wrote the researchers, led by Professor Ann Van Loey, in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Scientists at the University of Bonn in Germany reported last year that the folic acid derivative, [6S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolate ([6S]-5-MTHF), is even more bioavailable when given as supplements than folic acid, and could be an alternative for the primary prevention of neural tube defects (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 84, pp. 156-161).

Steve - we have said for many years that at least a quarter of the human population cannot genetically break down folic acid into 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate and 5-formyl tetrahydrofolate to be absorbed. It is nice that researchers are finally recognizing this. To cover yourself, make sure you take a complete folate with all three of the above (Metagenics makes one called Actifolate).