The key difference between L methylfolate and folic acid is that the L methylfolate is the active form of folate inside the body whereas the folic acid is the synthetic form of folate.
Folate is a vitamin; we call it vitamin B9. It is one of the 13 essential vitamins. Vitamins are often available as vitamers that need to be activated inside the body. The active form of folate inside the body is L methylfolate. And also, Folate occurs naturally in food. Therefore, folic acid is the synthetic form of this vitamin.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is L Methylfolate
3. What is Folic Acid
4. Side by Side Comparison – L Methylfolate vs Folic Acid in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is L Methylfolate?
L methylfolate is the active form of folate inside our body. A synonym for this vitamin is levomefolic acid. It can cross cell membranes and blood brain barrier as well. The major role of this compound is to regulate monoamines, a set of neurotransmitters. Ex: serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
Figure 01: Chemical Structure of L Methylfolate
Furthermore, it is important as a nutritional supplement and as a compound having potential antineoplastic activity. When administered to our body, this compound can provide methyl groups required for the DNA methylation at certain tumor-promoting genes.
What is Folic Acid?
Folic acid is the synthetic form of the vitamin, folate. It is water soluble. Manufacturers add folic acid to cold cereals, flour, bread, pasta, bakery items, cookies, and crackers, etc. This compound is very important in pregnancy; the recommended level of folic acid is 400 micrograms per day. This vitamin helps to avoid birth defects of baby’s brain and spinal cord.
Figure 02: Chemical Structure of Folic Acid
Moreover, it acts as a major agent for the production of red blood cells. In addition, we can use this compound to prevent low blood levels of folate. Sometimes, people use this vitamin to treat colon cancer and heart diseases as well.
What is the Difference Between L Methylfolate and Folic Acid?
L methylfolate is the active form of folate inside our body. Therefore, L methylfolate is important for the regulation of a set of neurotransmitters called monoamines, as a nutritional supplement, as a compound having potential antineoplastic activity and for the DNA methylation at certain tumor-promoting genes. Folic acid is the synthetic form of the vitamin, folate. This compound is important and helps to avoid birth defects of baby’s brain and spinal cord, to produce red blood cells, to prevent from low blood levels of folate, etc. This is the main difference between L methylfolate and Folic acid.
Summary – L Methylfolate vs Folic Acid
Both L methylfolate and folic acid are two different forms of folate. The difference between L methylfolate and folic acid is that L methylfolate is the active form of folate inside the body whereas folic acid is the synthetic form of folate.
Reference:
1. “Folic Acid: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning.” WebMD, WebMD. Available here
2. Writer, Science. “Top 7 L-Methylfolate Benefits (Depression, Etc) Side Effects.” Selfhacked, 21 June 2018. Available here
Image Courtesy:
1.’5-Methyltetrahydrofolate’By Edgar181 – Own work, (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2.’Folic acid’By Calvero. – Selfmade with ChemDraw., (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia