correct understanding of two types of vitamin B9
Folate is a natural form of vitamin B9 found in leafy greens, eggs, seafood and whole grains. Meanwhile, folinic acid is a pre-active form, often used in medicine to treat special diseases such as methotrexate poisoning, hypercystemia or support cancer treatment.
Dr. Allison Herries, a nutritionist at the New York University Medical Center (USA), explained: Natureal folate must go through the liver to be converted into active form, while folinic acid is absorbed directly, so it is useful for people with absorption problems or MTHFR gene mutations.
Each type has its own advantages: folate is suitable for pregnant women, helping to prevent neural tube defects in the fetus, while folinic acid is used in controlled clinical treatment, especially when the body needs to quickly recover the amount of active folate.
Using it incorrectly can be counterproductive
Although folate is necessary for cell growth, overdose supplementation can pose risks. The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that adults should not exceed 1,000 micrograms/day from supplements. Taking too much can hide vitamin B12 deficiency, leading to nerve damage.
folinic acid, although safe in most cases, can also cause mild digestive disorders or allergic reactions if taken incorrectly. Therefore, this is a drug that should only be used according to a doctor's prescription.
According to Dr. Frank Hu, Head of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health (USA): binh thuong people do not need to take folinic acid every day. Natural folate from fresh food is enough to meet the body's vitamin B9 needs".
Choose the right one for each purpose
If you are pregnant or have a diet lacking in green vegetables, you should supplement folate or low-dose folic acid according to your doctor's instructions. For those who are being treated with methotrexate or have folate metabolism disorders, folinic acid will be a more suitable choice.
Proper supplementation, combined with a diet rich in green vegetables, fruits and whole grains will help the body maintain stable folate levels, protect the nervous system and cardiovascular system.
