Folate is NOT Folic Acid, and understanding the difference between folic acid and naturally occurring folate is important. Are You Converting Folic Acid to Bioactive Folate? Folic acid is often labeled folate or folicin. However, these should not be confused with the form of folate known as L-methylfolate (or 5-MTHF). It takes four separate biochemical reactions for your body to turn synthetic folic acid into bioactive folate Absorption and conversion are critical. It is a shortage of bioactive folate (and not folic acid) that has been linked to neural tube birth defects in babies, vascular plaque, heart disease, hypertension, depression, memory loss, Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis and some cancers. Medical studies have proven that the conversion of folic acid into bioactive folate is frequently disrupted by genetic factors and metabolic obstacles. Up to 40% of adults are affected by genetic factors that limit the amount of folic acid converted to bioactive folate, and these individuals are at increased risk for heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, memory decline, dementia, osteoporosis, and some cancers. Some people try to overcome the obstacles to absorbing and transforming folic acid by taking doses of 800 mcgs, or higher. Transformation of folic acid into bioactive folate falls off after ingesting 200 mcg, and is saturated at doses in the region of 400 mcg. Higher doses result in unabsorbed folic acid circulating in the blood, and researchers are investigating whether "unused" folic acid in the bloodstream blocks the absorption of natural folate. Also, we do not know the long term biological effects of a lifetime of exposure to unmodified synthetic folic acid. Vitamin B12 deficiency is estimated to affect 10 to 15% of people over the age of 60, and approximately 40% of all adults may have B12 levels at or below the "low normal" range. The confusion is that people with low, low-normal, or even normal levels of the inactive form of B12 circulating in their blood can be deficient in the required active forms of B12. As we grow older, absorption of all forms of B12 diminishes. Weak stomach acid and other gastrointestinal conditions, medications, acid blockers, and reduced production of a protein called "intrinsic factor" all impair B12 absorption. Use of laxatives depletes storage of B12. When Vitamin B12 succeeds at entering the bloodstream it then must be converted to an active coenzyme before it is beneficial to our health. It takes at least three steps to convert the manmade B12 you encounter in most vitamin supplements (called cyanocobalamin) into methylcobalamin, the only form of B12 your body can use to neutralize homocysteine. As the name implies, cyanocobalamin contains a cyanide molecule, a substance most people recognize as poisonous. Step one of the conversion sequence above is for your body to remove the cyanide, although the amount of the poison is not considered toxic. Dose for dose, there is substantially greater retention of useable B12 when taking methylcobalamin as a supplement ingredient. The amount of B12 (simple cobalamin) excreted in the urine after a dose of methylcobalamin is about one-third that of a similar dose of cyanocobalamin. Also, it takes 1-2 months for cyanocobalamin to be converted to active B12, assuming an adequate supply of necessary cofactors is available. Research has also shown that both the oral and the sublingual forms of B12 are identically effective at doses of at least 500 mcg. The active ingredients in HS Fighters are water soluble B Vitamins. Unlike most vitamin formulas, however, HS Fighters provides the active coenzyme forms of Folate and B12 to bypass obstacles that may limit your body's ability to absorb and transform these vitamins into active nutrients. By supplying your body with high-absorption coenzymes, HS Fighters are an intelligent, potent first line of defense against the health risks linked to blood levels of homocysteine. Active Folate (L-Methylfolate) • 800 mcg of 100% high-absorption patented Metafolin® • The body's preferred form of folate • Does not accumulate in the blood like folic acid • Only form of folate able to cross the blood-brain barrier Active B12+ (Methylcobalamin) • 1000 mcg of 100% high-absorption Methylcobalamin • Requires no extra steps by the body to lower homocysteine • Only form of B12 found in the brain Vitamin B6 • 50 mg of Pyridoxine HCl • Helps convert homocysteine into a powerful antioxidant HS Fighters does not contain yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, soy, wheat, sugar, starch or artificial color, flavor or fragrance. |