The importance of folates in pregnant women for women and babies For normal child development folates are essential for maintenance.
This is especially so important for women who are preparing for pregnancy and those who are pregnant.
Research shows that consuming enough folate can prevent neuralgia tube formation disorders.
Direct use of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF; (in the form of Metafolin ® ) the effectiveness and safety in the mentioned cases is documented.
Adequate folate intake just as important for babies.
Newborns with mothers milk receives 5-MTHF, a metabolically active form of folate, which the body absorbs from times.
Therefore, the next step to forward – milk formulas supplemented with folates.
Another safe way for babies who due to certain reasons can not be fed with mother’s milk, get easily digestible folates – milk mixtures with Metafolin®.
Folate compounds are also necessary for mother and baby
Both folic acid and folate are present water soluble vitamins and known as vitamin B9.
They participate in the synthesis of purines and pyramidines, which are necessary for the production of DNA and RNA.
They are especially important to ensure proper cell division and differentiation, so it is very important for growth, blood formation and brain development.[3,4]
For these reasons, folate is suitable consumption is necessary not only for women who are preparing for pregnancy or expectant mothers, but also for babies and small children, because folates help support their growth and development. [2,3]
Folic acid and folates are different in their own way origin and how they are metabolized.
This is taken into account when determining daily recommended values – also in milk formulas for babies (EU regulation 2016/127) and is indicated by the term “folate equivalent”.[4]
Folic acid is a synthetic form
Folic acid is a synthetic compound that does not act as a vitamin functions in its original form and its effect is manifested only after when the body uses folic acid through metabolizes several steps into the bioactive form of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF).
Several enzymes are involved in this process including dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and methyl tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR).
Some human organisms are these synthetic forms of vitamin B9 cannot fully transform into an active, well-absorbed form.
That the reason is the limited activity of individual enzymes.
If this is the case with DHFR enzymes, it increases the amount of unmetabolized folic acid, which is good for the body is not useful.
In addition, genetic MTHFR enzyme mutation can reduce enzyme activity up to about 60%.[5]
In case of polymorphism of the enzyme, the transition of folic acid to its active form the rate is also significantly lower.
All this helps to explain why, taking enough folate acid in the body can be too low folate levels.
Folate is a natural compound
Folate is a general term for all naturally occurring for compounds that exhibit the effects of vitamin B9. 5-MTHF is the dominant naturally occurring the form of folate in the blood[12]
Unlike folic acid, it is not required convert or activate and effect occurs immediately.
The main of this the storage site of the compound is the liver.[3] Mother’s milk also contains it this bioactive form of folate 5-MTHF.
Studies have shown that 5-MTHF does not cause unmetabolized serum folic acid accumulation and possible enzyme polymorphism are not relevant.[1] This means what has been proven that bioactive form of folate 5-MTHF is superior to synthetic folic acid.[11, 13]
The effects of folate during pregnancy have been confirmed
Current research suggests that folate deficiency may be certain cause of birth defects such as neural tube defects (spina bifida, anencephaly, encephalocele).
It can also cause congenital heart, lips or palate anomalies, miscarriages, premature births and low birth weight. [10, 16]
Clinical studies support folate reducing efficiency before pregnancy and in its early period risk of neural tube defects. [9]
Specialist societies, taking into account reliable data, recommends folate-rich food and folate supplementation supplements (400 μg per day no later than four weeks before pregnancy and until the end of the first trimester). [7]
Metafolin® in milk mixtures
Metafolin® – a calcium compound, which, like the bioactive 5-MTHF in the body, has been around for several years used as a dietary supplement to improve folate levels during pregnancy and pre-pregnancy (women who planned pregnancy).
Research results show Safety and efficacy of Metafolin® to improve folate levels. [8] Metafolin® provides faster replenishment of folate stores without accumulating unmetabolized folate acid reserves. [8]
Metafolin® use during pregnancy promotes maintaining higher folate levels level compared to folic acid intake.[6]
Timely consumption of folates ensures mother and baby health. In addition, studies show that breastfeeding babies who are breastfed
receives 5-MTHF in blood serum low concentrations of unmetabolized folic acid are found.[6]
Therefore, it is obvious to supplement milk formulas with effective folates, which
are inspired by nature and are active and quickly absorbed.
Metafolin® is ansafe method of maintenance optimal amount of folates in the baby’s body.
Combiotic® with Metafolin® – inspired by nature.
Until recently, synthetic folic acid, as a legally required ingredient, was used in all milk formulas.
HiPP milk composition of COMBIOTIC® mixtures added another piece to the puzzle: Metafolin®, which is a directly absorbable and natural source of folates.
This 5-MTHF calcium salt received positive European food safety (EFSA) assessment of it use in milk mixtures and that was included in legal regulations.[15]
The safety of milk formulas supplemented with Metafolin® has been confirmed controlled study.
His results showed that babies, that were fed formula milk with this bioactive form of folate, growth and development were identical to normal development.
Folate levels in this group of infants (study group) was compared with a control group of breastfed infants group.[14]
Milk mixtures with Metafolin® were well absorbed and tolerated. Faecal indicators of both groups were also compared (consistency, color, smell).
This confirms that this formula, supplemented with a bioactive form of folate, for babies is safe and appropriate provides this vitamin.
*Metafolin® is a registered trademark of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Important information.
The best food for a baby is mother’s milk.
Before you start giving formula milk to your baby, consult your doctor.
Author:
Dr. Rita Hermann,
Nutrition Communication Agency, Germany
Imprint:
HiPP GmbH & Co. Vertrieb KG
Edited by: Scientific Marketing
Georg-Hipp-Str. 7,
85276 Pfaenhofen, Germany
HiPP ORGANIC COMBIOTIC® is the only milk mixture with Metafolin®.
Sources:
1. Bailey WB & Ayling JE. The pharmacokinetic advantage of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate for minimization of the risk for birth defects. Scienti c Reports 2018; 8:4096.
2. Biesalski, HK et al. Ernährungsmedizin. Thieme-Verlag Stuttgart 2018.
3. German Nutrition Society (DGE, ed.). D-A-CH Reference Values for Nutrient Intake. Neuer Umschau Buchverlag, 2017.
4. German Nutrition Society (DGE, ed.). Ausgewählte Fragen zu Folat. https://www.dge.de/wissenschaft/weitere-publikationen/faqs/ folat/?L=0#aequivalente (accessed 16June 2021)
5. Hiraoka M & Kagawa Y: Genetic polymorphisms and folate status. Congenital Anomalies 2017; 57, 142-149.
6. Houghton, LA et al. [6S]-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate is at least as e ective as folic acid in preventing a decline in blood folate concentrations during lactation1. Am J Clin Nutr 2006; 83: 842–50.
7. Koletzko B et al. Diet and Lifestyle Before and During Pregnancy – Practical Recommendations of the Germany-wide Healthy Start – Young Family Network. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2018; 78(12): 1262-1282.
8. Lamers Y et al. Red blood cell folate concentrations increase more after supplementation with [6S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolate than with folic acid in women of childbearing age. Am J Clin Nutr 2006; 84 (1): 156-161.
9. MRC Vitamin Study Research Group. Prevention of neural tube defects: results of the Medical Research Council Vitamin Study. Lancet 338; 1991: 131–137.
10. Obeid R et al Folate status and health: challenges and opportunities. J Pernat Med 2015; aop.
11. Patanwala I et al. Folic acid handling by the human gut: implications for food forti cation and supplementation. Am J Clin Nutr 2014: 100 (2); 593-599. 12. Pietrzik et al. Folic acid and L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate: comparison of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Clin Pharmacokinet 2010; 49 (8): 535-548.
13. Scaglione F & Panzavolta G. Folate, folic acid and 5-methytetrahydrofolate are not the same thing. Xenobiotica 2014; 44 (5): 480- 488.
14. Troesch B et al. Suitability and safety of L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate as a folate source in infant formula: A randomized-controlled-trial. PLOS ONE 2019;14(8): e0216790.
15. COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) 2021/571 of 20 January 2021 amending the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the list of substances that may be added to infant and follow-on formula, baby food and processed cereal-based food. Https://eur-lex.europa. eu/legalcontent/DE/TXT/PDF/?Uri=CELEX:32021R0571&from=DE (accessed 16 June 2021)
16. World Health Organization. Guideline: Optimal Serum and Red Blood Cell Folate Concentrations in Women of Reproductive Age for Prevention of Neural Tube Defects. Geneva: WHO; 2015.