Understanding the Differences and Benefits of Folic Acid vs. Folinic Acid
Explore the distinctions between folic acid and folinic acid, including their biological roles, benefits for individuals with MTHFR mutations, and potential use in methotrexate treatment. Learn about concerns regarding folic acid toxicity and the context in which folinic acid might be safer.
Folic or folinic acid?
I've noticed that a lot of people use folinic acid instead of folic acid.
I had thought this was for people who suspect they have impaired folate processing.
But are there any other reasons/benefits? I have read some people mention possible toxicity from too much folic acid since it's synthetic.
Can anyone clarify this for me?
Folic acid and folinic acid are both forms of vitamin B9, but they have some differences in their application and effects.
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Biological Role: Folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9, whereas folinic acid (also known as leucovorin) is a naturally occurring form. The body must convert folic acid into its active form, tetrahydrofolate, whereas folinic acid can be used directly without conversion1.
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Methylation and Folate Metabolism: Some individuals have genetic polymorphisms, such as MTHFR mutations, which impair their ability to convert folic acid to its biologically active form. In these cases, folinic acid is often preferred because it bypasses this step, directly participating in metabolic processes1.
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Potential Benefits in Methotrexate Treatment: For individuals undergoing treatment with medications like methotrexate, which can interfere with folate metabolism and cause side effects like mucosal and gastrointestinal issues, both folic and folinic acid are used to help mitigate these side effects. However, folinic acid might be more advantageous in such contexts due to its immediate bioavailability2.
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Concerns Over Toxicity: Some concerns have been raised about folic acid's potential for toxicity, particularly when consumed in high doses, as it can mask vitamin B12 deficiency or accumulate in individuals with impaired metabolism. Folinic acid is perceived as potentially safer in these scenarios since it does not accumulate1.
Overall, the choice between folic acid and folinic acid may depend on individual health factors, such as genetic predispositions and specific health conditions like methotrexate usage.
Footnotes
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