Why

Folate (vitamin B9) plays an essential role in our lives. It has many important functions in the body, such as playing a key role in cell development and DNA synthesis. Folate is a vitamin that belongs to the B-vitamin group and is one of the essential elements in one carbon metabolism and is one of the essential elements that help maintain normal cellular function.

The types of folate are classified according to their generations, ranging from inactive forms to active forms

First-generation folate

Folate derived from foods such as leafy green vegetables, broccoli, legumes, papaya, mushrooms, eggs, and meat. First-generation folate is easily oxidized during cooking or storage. The bioavailability of first-generation folate is around 25–50%, depending on the type of food. Folate content in food may be lost by up to 70% after three days of storage at room temperature, and during the cooking process, folate content can be reduced by as much as 95%

Second-generation folate

Second-generation folate is a commonly consumed supplement, namely Folic Acid. Folic Acid is an inactive form of folate that must be metabolized by the body in order to enter the folate cycle. However, there are several drawbacks to the use of high-dose and long-term Folic Acid, namely the formation ofUnmetabolized Folic Acid (UMFA) which has detrimental effects on health, including ::

  • Maskingvitamin B12 deficiency, thereby delaying its detection. megaloblastic vitamin B12 deficiency, thereby delaying the detection of megaloblastic anemia.
  • Reduced cellular activity natural killer (NK)
  • Causing pre-existing cancer or the progression of lesions pre-cancer, Such as colon or prostate cancer
  • May trigger food allergies in children
First- and second-generation folates are still in inactive forms and must be metabolized by the body into the active form, 5-MTHF, a process that depends on the DHFR and MTHFR enzymes
Third-generation folate

Third-generation folate (III) is in the form of 5-MTHF calcium salt. This folate is already in its active form but is not suitable for environmental conditions in Indonesia, as it is only stable at cold temperatures (2–8°C)

Fourth-generation folate

Fourth-generation folate is the best solution compared to previous generations of folate in the form of 6S-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF glucosamine salt) aalso known as active folate. The use of the saltglucosaminein 5-MTHF aims to improve stability and solubility, as reflected in better bioavailability parameters compared to previous generations. The advantages of 5-MTHF glucosamine salt (Active Folate):

  • Bioavailability 5-MTHF glucosamine salt the highest compared to previous generations of folate
  • 5-MTHF glucosamine salt the only form of folate that can cross the blood–brain barrier
  • 5-MTHF glucosamine salt stable at room temperature, especially for environments in Indonesia
  • Its activity does not depend on the DHFR and MTHFR enzymes because it is already in the active form

Supplement products that contain 5-MTHF glucosamine salt 1.100 mcg is HY-FOLIC®.

Differences Between Folic Acid and 5-MTHF (Active Folate)

Folic acid and 5-MTHF are not the same. Folic acid is the inactive form of folate commonly used in many supplements and fortified foods. Folic acid must undergo several metabolic steps in the body to be converted into its active form, 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), as contained in HY-FOLIC® products.

In the body, not everyone can metabolize folic acid into 5-MTHF with the same efficiency. In other words, folic acid supplementation is not effective for some individuals. As a result, unmetabolized folic acid (unmetabolized folic acid = UMFA) can be detected in the bloodstream, where UMFA has been associated with several health issues.

This is caused by genetic variations in MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase), the gene responsible for producing the enzyme that converts folic acid into 5-MTHF. Studies show that 25% of the global population and 42% of the Southeast Asian population carry genetic variations/polymorphisms of the MTHFR enzyme C677>T and A1298>C, which impair this process, making folic acid utilization suboptima

As a result, even after consuming folic acid supplements, individuals with MTHFR polymorphisms remain at high risk of folate deficiency. HY-FOLIC® does not require this conversion process, as it is already in the active form and can be used directly

Dangers of UMFA (Unmetabolized Folic Acid)

According to studies, folic acid at doses above 200 mcg per day can increase UMFA levels in the blood, which are subsequently detected in the human bloodstream. Elevated UMFA concentrations in the blood are associated with various health problems. Several studies have shown that high UMFA levels may adversely affect health, including:

  1. Masking vitamin B12 deficiency, thereby delaying the detection of megaloblastic anemia
  2. Decreased cell activity natural killer (NK)
  3. Triggers pre-existing cancer or the progression of lesion pre-cancer, Such as colon or prostate cancer
  4. May trigger food allergies in children.

HY-FOLIC® can be the best alternative to folic acid supplementation because it does not lead to UMFA formation

Solution: HY-FOLIC® as the Biologically Active Form of Folic Acid

HY-FOLIC® contains (6S)-5-Methyltetrahydrofolic acid glucosamine salt (Active Folate) 1.100 mcg Which is readily available for use by the body, without requiring metabolic processing by the MTHFR enzyme. HY-FOLIC® Is highly essential for Individuals experiencing folate deficienc, such as :

Couples who are planning a pregnancy
Pregnant and breastfeeding women
Patients with kidney disorders
Cardiovascular patients
(Such as in post-stroke patients)
Patients with cognitive impairment
Anxiety and depression disorder
Mood Disorder

5-MTHF in HY-FOLIC® is the most dominant physiological form of folate found in the blood.

PT Simex Pharmaceutical Indonesia, in collaboration with IMERI UI, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, conducted a pharmacokinetic study HY-FOLIC® compared to folic acid regarding in Indonesian subjects. The study results showed thatconcentration of HY-FOLIC® (Folat Aktif) in blood plasma were 2.3 times higher compared to second-generation folic acid (inactive folate).

1st Benefit

HY-FOLIC® is already in its active form and therefore does not need to undergo the four stages of metabolism

2nd Benefit

The peak concentration of HY-FOLIC® (Active Folate) is 2.3 times higher compared to Folic Acid (Second Generation).

3rd Benefit

HY-FOLIC® (Active Folate) does not trigger the formation and accumulation of UMFA that may be harmful to health, as it bypasses the four stages of metabolism. HY-FOLIC® (Active Folate) is the only form of folate that can cross the blood–brain barrier