MTHF Folate

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MTHF folate (L-5-MTHF) is the most abundant folate found in the human body. It is naturally found in food, but is most easily absorbed from a dietary supplement. MTHF folate is the highest bioavailability folate found in dietary supplements. It can be immediately utilized by your body and doesn’t need to be converted by the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). 

Up to 25% of the population has a variant of the MTHFR gene (MTHFR 677TT) that significantly impairs their ability to metabolize folic acid. Individuals with this MTHFR variation are also at a higher risk of having a child with neural tube defects. The research is still preliminary, but people with the MTHFR 677TT variant are likely to benefit from MTHF folate supplementation over folic acid.^‡ Learn more ⟶

Taking supplemental MTHF folate before and during pregnancy has been shown to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Emerging research also shows that additional folate, above the levels taken to reduce neural tube defects, can improve fertility and birth outcomes in women trying to conceive. 

Higher intakes of folate have been correlated with a reduced risk of infertility, shorter time to pregnancy, lower risk of pregnancy loss, and better outcomes of fertility treatments. Additionally, folate seems to be important for egg quality and maturation. Data suggests that high folate levels in follicular fluid (the liquid that surrounds the egg in the ovary) are associated with three-fold greater odds of becoming pregnant among women undergoing fertility treatments.^‡

Women undergoing assisted reproduction, like IVF and IUI, have unique needs when it comes to nutrition and fertility. In 2019, A Harvard study found that women who took in more than 800 micrograms of supplemental folate while undergoing fertility treatment, among other dietary changes, had an increased probability of live birth.

Other studies have found similar results: One study evaluating 232 women undergoing assisted reproduction found that live birth rates were 20 percent higher among women who took the most folate (more than 800 mcg/day) compared to women who took less than 400 mcg/day. Additionally, higher supplemental folate intake was associated with higher fertilization rates and lower cycle failure rates before embryo transfer in this study.^‡

Consistent exposure to traffic-related air pollution has been shown to be correlated with reduced fertility. Women who live closer to a major roadway or who are exposed to higher levels of nitrogen dioxide (gaseous air pollutants created due to road traffic and other fossil fuel combustion activities) are more likely to present with fertility challenges, including increased time to pregnancy, higher risk of miscarriage, lower chance of implantation, pregnancy, and live birth following fertility treatments.

Research from two independent studies suggest that high doses of supplemental folate can help the body reduce the negative effects of environmental pollutants on fertility, including nitrogen dioxide which is found in air pollution and bisphenol A which is found in consumer plastics.^‡

Along with 88% of polled scientists, Natalist believes that the majority of genetically modified (GM) foods are safe. That said, we also believe that bioengineered ingredients should be clearly labeled so that consumers can make an informed purchase decision. Transparency is essential in building trust between brands and consumers. Our products clearly state if they do or do not contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

There’s a lot of junk science out there, and products being sold with grand promises, but little or no data to back it up. We stand by our products and only sell supplements with ample clinical evidence supporting the claims. We try to be very clear about who would benefit most from these supplements, but it’s also important to discuss your dietary supplement routine with your physician who can give further guidance.

Cetin, I., C. Berti, and S. Calabrese. 2010. “Role of Micronutrients in the Periconceptional Period.” Human Reproduction Update 16 (1): 80–95.

Gaskins, Audrey J., Myriam C. Afeiche, Diane L. Wright, Thomas L. Toth, Paige L. Williams, Matthew W. Gillman, Russ Hauser, and Jorge E. Chavarro. 2014. “Dietary Folate and Reproductive Success among Women Undergoing Assisted Reproduction.” Obstetrics and Gynecology 124 (4): 801–9.

Gaskins, Audrey J., and Jorge E. Chavarro. 2018. “Diet and Fertility: A Review.” American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 218 (4): 379–89.

Gaskins, Audrey J., Yu-Han Chiu, Paige L. Williams, Jennifer B. Ford, Thomas L. Toth, Russ Hauser, Jorge E. Chavarro, and EARTH Study Team. 2015. “Association between Serum Folate and Vitamin B-12 and Outcomes of Assisted Reproductive Technologies.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 102 (4): 943–50.

Gaskins, Audrey J., Lidia Mínguez-Alarcón, Kelvin C. Fong, Yara Abu Awad, Qian Di, Jorge E. Chavarro, Jennifer B. Ford, et al. 2019. “Supplemental Folate and the Relationship Between Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Livebirth Among Women Undergoing Assisted Reproduction.” American Journal of Epidemiology 188 (9): 1595–1604.

Put, N. M. van der, H. W. van Straaten, F. J. Trijbels, and H. J. Blom. 2001. “Folate, Homocysteine and Neural Tube Defects: An Overview.” Experimental Biology and Medicine 226 (4): 243–70.