Vitamin B9 or folates is the generic term for a family of chemically similar compounds that have been recognized as beneficial for the prevention of a variety of conditions. Of all the available forms of folates, the one that really interests us is the chemical form (6S) -5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). This is the bioactive form of vitamin B9. The other forms need to be digested in the intestine by the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) for their conversion into 5-MTHF [15].In MAG-FUSION, vitamin B9 is presented directly in the form of (6S) -5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). Furthermore, as Premium level quality is a characteristic of Nutribiolite, in MAG-FUSION 5-MTHF is provided in the form of 5-MTHF glucosamine salt, also referred to as 4th generation folate or Quatrefolic®. According to laboratory studies, this patented form has an absorption 1.8 times higher than that of calcium (6S) -5-methyltetrahydrofolate, the chemical form of 5-MTHF used in other food supplements [16].
Folic acid is a commercially produced synthetic molecule whose chemical nomenclature is pteroylmonoglutamic acid. This form does not exist in nature and is used in lower quality food supplements or to enrich various food products such as breakfast cereals or bread. Unlike other types of folates, folic acid is not reconverted by our digestive system by dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), but rather needs to be metabolized at the liver level [17]. Due to the advantage of the 5-MTHF glucosamine salt (4th generation folate) regarding its bioavailability, it has been verified in in vivo studies that its absorption is 3.1 times higher than that of folic acid [16].
The importance of vitamin B9 (5-MTHF):
5-MTHF participates in the synthesis of puric and pyrimidic bases, precursors of nucleic acids, so it is essential for the formation of DNA and its deficiency especially affects blood cells and those that are in the rapid division phase [18]. 5-MTHF is necessary for the formation of the fetal nervous system (days 15-28 after conception). In addition, it seems to be involved in the metabolic pathway of the enzyme methionine synthetase together with vitamin B12 (another vitamin present in the MAG-FUSION formula), so supplementation with this vitamin reduces homocysteine levels. [19].Homocysteine, a sulfurized amino acid that originates from the metabolism of methionine, is a very aggressive molecule for the arterial endothelium. Numerous studies suggest that excess plasma homocysteine is associated with an increased risk of coronary, cerebral vascular and peripheral disease, independently of other conventional risk factors, although homocysteine interacts with other risk factors, such as smoking, hypertension and diabetes [20].