B-Complex + 10 mg L-Methylfolate

Product Code: 00807     Capsules per Bottle: 30  

Each vegetarian cellulose capsules contains:

  Other ingredients: vegetarian cellulose capsule

Description: B vitamins are vital to the energy making processes in the body. They are cofactors in the synthesis of thyroid, sex and adrenal hormones. B vitamins assist in the detoxification processes that rid the body of energy depleting substances. They also contribute to energy producing processes in the mitochondria of every cell in the body. B-Complex provides essential nutrients needed for numerous systems and biochemical reactions. Our B-Complex contains the phosphorylated forms of B-2 and B-6 and the methylated forms of B-12 and L-methylfolate for superior bioavailability.

Folic acid, the most common form of folate in supplements and fortified foods, requires the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) to be converted to L-methylfolate, the activated form of folate used by the body for many biochemical reactions. About half of the population have genetic variations that reduce the ability of the MTHFR enzyme to make this conversion. For this population, L-methylfolate supplementation is far more effective in providing this form of folate. It is important to note that all vitamin B levels, especially vitamin B-12, must be adequate when taking L-methylfolate. Otherwise homocysteine cannot be broken down and transformed for neurotransmitter upregulation, even with adequate folate. Supplementing with a B-complex that contains the activated L-methylfolate is a great way to support maximum efficiency of all nutrients.
 

Uses: B vitamins contained in this supplement blend; thiamine, riboflavin, niacinamide, B-6, biotin, pantothenic acid, folate, and B-12, are commonly associated with energy production, nervous system maintenance, and cardiovascular health. Thiamine, riboflavin, niacinamide, B-6, biotin and pantothenic acid are cofactors for enzymes needed for cellular energy production through metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Thiamine, folate, B-12 are involved in neural development and neurotransmitter synthesis. Inositol was once called B8 and considered a member of the B vitamin family. It shares the qualities of many B vitamins as a stress reducer and mood lifter, although it has more recently been classified as a pseudovitamin, inositol accesses stores of calcium in the brain, in turn activating the release of many neurotransmitters, including serotonin. Inositol also assists in communication between nerves, gene expression, and signal transduction for insulin. All of these functions are closely connected to a healthy CNS, improved cognitive function, clearer thoughts, and a sense of well-being.

Some microbes found in the human gut have the ability to produce folate, an essential nutrient also found in this supplement. Para Amino Benzoic Acid (PABA) is a necessary coenzyme for the production of folate as well as a number of other reactions that are beneficial to digestion.

Methylfolate and B-6 are required for homocysteine metabolism and have been linked to mood improvement. Methylation is a biochemical process involved in almost all of the body’s functions. It is the addition of a single carbon and three hydrogen atoms (called a methyl group) to another molecule. The removal of a methyl group is called demethylation. A healthful diet and adequate nutrition, supported by supplementation, can improve your methylation pathways and boost your health. B vitamins are methyl donors, especially folate, B-6, B-12 and riboflavin, but they cannot be used efficiently by the body unless some critical enzymes are present. One such enzyme is Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase.

MTHFR is a gene that provides instructions to make an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase is a necessary factor for a chemical reaction breaking down folate (folic acid/vitamin B-9) to its active form, L-methylfolate (5-MTHF). Specifically, this enzyme converts a molecule called 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to a molecule called 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. This reaction is also required to convert the amino acid homocysteine to another amino acid, methionine. The body uses methionine to make proteins such as the neurotransmitters; dopamine, serotonin, melatonin, and epinephrine. It is through this pathway, that L-methylfolate has a regulatory effect on mood.

It has been estimated that up to 60% of Americans carry an inherited mutation in the MTHFR gene. While many people with mutations in this gene will live a normal life without experiencing symptoms, some individuals experience a drop in enzyme efficiency by 30-70%, depending on the variant of the mutation. If this is the case, folate cannot be converted to L-methylfolate, homocysteine will not be efficiently broken down into methionine, and the production of neurotransmitters may slow, dramatically affecting mood. Unconverted folate and homocysteine levels build up in the blood without consistent conversion, and elevated homocysteine in the blood is a known, independent risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other forms of cardiovascular disease.

Only a genetic test by your doctor can confirm whether or not you have a MTHFR mutation, but if you do, L-methylfolate supplementation could be the answer. L-Methylfolate bypasses the entire folic acid metabolism cycle and has been shown to be more effective than folic acid for increasing circulating folate in those with an MTHFR mutation. L-Methylfolate is also highly effective at reducing homocysteine levels in healthy people (without an MTHFR mutation). It is better absorbed and interacts with fewer medications than folic acid.

Source Materials: 

Allergens:  According to information provided by our suppliers, these capsules are free of the eight major allergens as identified by the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA): Wheat (gluten), eggs, milk, soybeans, shellfish, fish, peanuts, tree nuts.

Recommendations: Use as directed by a healthcare professional.

Precautions: Pregnant or lactating women and individuals taking prescription medications should consult with a healthcare professional before taking any supplement.

References:

Bauerly K, Rucker RB. Pantothenic acid. In: Zempleni J, Rucker RB, McCormick DB, Suttie JW, eds. Handbook of vitamins. 4th ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2007:289-314.

Bottiglieri, Teodoro, et al. "Homocysteine, folate, methylation, and monoamine metabolism in depression." Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 69.2 (2000): 228-232.

LeBano, Lauren. “L-Methylfolate: A Promising Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression?” Psyche Congress Network. May 8, 2013. www.psychcongress.com/article/l-methylfolate-promising-therapy-treatment-resistant-depression

Leech, Joe. “L-Methylfolate (5-MTHF): Your Must-Read Beginner’s Guide.” Diet vs. Disease. May 13, 2018. https://www.dietvsdisease.org/l-methylfolate-5-mthf/

Papakostas, George I., et al. "L-methylfolate as adjunctive therapy for SSRI-resistant major depression: results of two randomized, double-blind, parallel-sequential trials." American Journal of Psychiatry 169.12 (2012): 1267-1274.

Patanwala, Imran, et al. "Folic acid handling by the human gut: implications for food fortification and supplementation–."The American journal of clinical nutrition 100.2 (2014): 593-599.

Selhub, Jacob, et al. "B vitamins, homocysteine, and neurocognitive function in the elderly–." The American journal of clinical nutrition 71.2 (2000): 614S-620S.

Stahl, Stephen M. "Brainstorms: L-Methylfolate: A Vitamin for Your Monoamines." The Journal of clinical psychiatry 69.9 (2008): 1352-1353.

Wegkamp, Arno, et al. "Characterization of the role of para-aminobenzoic acid biosynthesis in folate production by Lactococcus lactis." Applied and environmental microbiology73.8 (2007): 2673-2681.

Wilson MS, et al., “Inositol pyrophosphates: between signalling and metabolism.” Biochem J. 2013.