When it comes to prenatal and kids vitamins, one of the most common questions I hear is:
👉 “Should I take folic acid or methylated folate?”
If you’ve read about the MTHFR gene, you may have seen advice that says folic acid “doesn’t work” for some people. That can sound scary—especially if you’re planning a pregnancy. But here’s the good news: folic acid works very well, including for people with MTHFR variants. Let’s look at why.
What Is Folic Acid?
- Folate = the natural form of vitamin B9, found in foods like leafy greens and beans.
- Folic acid = the synthetic form of folate used in most supplements and fortified foods.
Your body converts folic acid into its active form, 5-MTHF (methylated folate), which your cells can use for important processes like DNA repair, red blood cell formation, and early brain and spine development in babies.
Why Folic Acid Is Still the Gold Standard
- Proven effectiveness: Decades of research show that folic acid prevents neural tube defects by up to 70%. That’s why countries like Canada and the U.S. fortify foods with folic acid—it saves lives.
- Safe and reliable: Folic acid is stable in supplements and fortified foods, ensuring consistent results.
- Works even with MTHFR variants: People with common MTHFR gene changes still absorb and use folic acid effectively. Their blood folate levels rise when they take folic acid, and they get the same protective benefits.
- Backed by global health organizations: The CDC, Health Canada, and WHO all recommend folic acid—not methylated folate—as the standard for pregnancy.
What About Methylated Folate?
Methylated folate (5-MTHF) is the already “active” form of folate. It’s available in some prenatal vitamins, but:
- It hasn’t been shown to prevent birth defects better than folic acid.
- It’s less stable in supplements.
- It’s more expensive—often marketed with fear-based messaging around MTHFR genes.
In other words: methylated folate is safe, but not necessary.
The Bottom Line for Prenatal and Kids Vitamins
- Take a daily prenatal with at least 400 mcg of folic acid.
- Make sure there is Folic Acid in your kids Multivitamin
- Don’t stress about MTHFR gene mutations—folic acid still works.
- If your prenatal or kids vitamin contains methylated folate, that’s fine too. But don’t feel pressured to pay extra for it—it hasn’t been proven to give added benefits.
✅ Folic acid is safe.
✅ Folic acid is effective.
✅ Folic acid is recommended worldwide.
That’s why it remains the trusted choice for healthy pregnancies and kids everywhere and is always recommended by healthcare professionals.
