When you’re preparing for pregnancy, one of the first nutrients you’ll hear about is folic acid. Doctors recommend it to support your baby’s brain and spinal cord development and to reduce the risk of birth defects.

But here’s something many parents don’t realise: not all folate works the same way in the body. That’s where active folate, also called 5-MTHF, comes in.

What’s the Difference Between Folic Acid and Active Folate (5-MTHF)?

• Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate (vitamin B9). Before your body can use it, it must be converted into its active form.
  

• 5-MTHF (active folate) is already in the form your body needs — meaning it can be absorbed and used right away.

Why This Matters for Parents-to-Be

Not everyone’s body can convert folic acid efficiently. Some people have a common gene variation (MTHFR), which makes the conversion process less effective. This means that even if they take folic acid, their bodies may not be getting enough of what’s really needed.

By choosing active folate (5-MTHF), you’re giving your body — and your future baby — the most direct and reliable support for healthy development.

Why Active Folate Can Be the Better Choice

• Better absorption – already in the form your body needs
  

• More reliable – especially for women with MTHFR variation
  

• Gentle on the body – less chance of unmetabolised folic acid building up
  
  

How Active Folate Helps During Preconception and Pregnancy

• Supports early brain and spinal cord development (especially important in the first month, often before many women know they’re pregnant).
  

• Builds folate reserves to prepare your body for conception.
  

• Supports healthy red blood cell production for mum’s energy.
  

• Helps reduce risk of neural tube defects in the baby.

BloomWell’s Note

Every mum’s body is unique, and so are her nutritional needs. If you’re planning for pregnancy, it’s worth speaking to your doctor or pharmacist about which form of folate is best for you. Choosing active folate (5-MTHF) can give you extra peace of mind that your body — and your baby — are getting the support they need from the very start.

References

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2022). Prepregnancy counseling (Practice Bulletin No. 218). Obstetrics & Gynecology, 139(2), e71–e90. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000004674

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, February 22). Folic acid: Facts. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/facts.html

Lamers, Y., Prinz-Langenohl, R., Moser, R., & Pietrzik, K. (2006). Supplementation with [6S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolate or folic acid equally reduces plasma total homocysteine concentrations in healthy women. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 84(4), 1134–1138. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/84.4.1134

National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. (2022). Folate fact sheet for health professionals. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/

Rosenberg, I. H. (2012). Effects of folate and vitamin B12 on cognitive function in adults and the elderly. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 94(6 Suppl), 1585S–1589S. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.111.013276