When you begin your beautiful journey toward pregnancy, one of the most important nutrients you’ll discuss with your doctor is folate. For decades, healthcare professionals have recommended folic acid to support your baby’s healthy brain and spinal cord development, and it remains a vital and trusted cornerstone of prenatal care.

As our understanding of nutrition deepens, mothers today have more choices than ever to support their unique bodies. This is where 5-MTHF (Active Folate) comes in as another wonderful option to explore.

Understanding Folic Acid and 5-MTHF (Active Folate)

The goal of any folate source is to nourish both you and your developing baby. The key difference lies in how your body uses them.

• Folic Acid: This is the common source of folate (vitamin B9). Before your body can use it, it goes through a natural conversion process to become active.

• 5-MTHF (Active Folate): This is a 'body-ready' form of folate. It is already in the active form your body needs, allowing for direct absorption and use.

A Caring Choice for Your Peace of Mind

Every mother's body is unique. While folic acid is effective for most women, some like those with the common gene mutation at the MTHFR gene, find extra reassurance in choosing a nutrient that provides a more direct pathway to nourishment.

By choosing 5-MTHF (Active Folate), you are selecting a form that doesn't need to be converted. This offers a gentle and reliable way to ensure both you and your future baby are getting direct support for healthy development, which can be a comforting choice for any parent-to-be.

The Gentle Benefits of 5-MTHF (Active Folate)

Choosing a body-ready form of folate is a thoughtful way to care for yourself. The benefits include:

• Direct Nourishment: It's already in the form your body can use immediately.

• A Gentle Choice: It works in harmony with your body’s natural processes.

• Reliable Support: Provides wonderful peace of mind for every mother.

How Folate Supports Your Preconception and Pregnancy Journey

Whether you choose the conventional folic acid or the body-ready form of 5-MTHF (Active Folate), the goal is the same. Sufficient folate levels help to:

• Support early brain and spinal cord development, which is crucial in the first few weeks of pregnancy.

• Build your body's folate reserves in preparation for conception.

• Support healthy red blood cell production to maintain your energy.

• Reduce the risk of neural tube defects in your developing baby.

BloomWell’s Note

Your journey to motherhood is entirely your own. We believe in empowering you with caring, science-backed choices that feel right for you.

If you’re planning for pregnancy, it’s always a great idea to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about which form of folate best suits your needs. Choosing 5-MTHF (Active Folate) can offer that extra layer of confidence, knowing you're giving your body—and your baby—the most direct and gentle support right 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