Folinic acid
800 mcg
60 capsules...$10.95

Folinic acid, also known as 5-formyl tetrahydrofolate, is an active form of a group of vitamins known as folates. In contrast to folic acid, a synthetic form of folate, folinic acid is one of the forms of folate found naturally in foods.

Folate deficiency is believed to be the most common vitamin deficiency in the world due to food processing, food selection, and intestinal disorders. In the body folinic acid may be converted into any of the other active forms of folate. Folate coenzymes are responsible for the following important metabolic functions: 1) The formation of purines and pyrimidines which, in turn, are needed for the synthesis of the nucleic acids DNA and RNA. This is particularly important during fetal development in the 1st trimester in preventing birth defects such as neural tube defects; 2) The formation of heme, the iron-containing protein in hemoglobin; 3) The interconversion of the 3-carbon amino acid serine from the 2-carbon amino acid glycine; 4) The formation of the amino acids tyrosine from phenylalanine and glutamic acid from histidine; 5) The formation of the amino acid methionine from homocysteine (Vitamin B-12 as methylcobalamin is also needed for this conversion). Elevated levels of homocysteine have been implicated in a wide range of health disorders including atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, Alzheimers disease, and depression. In the reconversion of homocysteine to methionine the body uses the methionine to make the important amino acid s-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) which is known to be helpful in cases of depression; 6) The synthesis of choline from ethanolamine; 7) The formation and maturation of red and white blood cells; and 8) The conversion of nicotinamide to N'-methylnicotinamide. Other conditions than those mentioned above that may benefit from folinic acid supplementation include: AIDS/HIV, celiac disease, cervical displasia, cleft palate, colon cancer, Crohn's disease, diarrhea, gout, high cholesterol, increased fracture of chromosomes, malabsorption and gastrointestinal inflammation, megaloblastic anemia, restless leg syndrome, postpartum depression, sprue, ulcerative colitis, and vitiligo. Numerous drugs are known to inhibit the body's ability to utilize folate including: 1) aspirin, 2) cholesterol lowering drugs, 3) oral birth control pills, 4) antacids, and 5) methotrexate when used for rheumatoid arthritis. When taking these drugs (and others as well) it is recommended that you take 800 mcg daily of folate, preferably as folinic acid. When taking folate it is recommended that you take adequate amounts of Vitamin B-12 as methylcobalamin. Please note that folate supplementation may interfere with anticonvulsant drugs.

COMPOSITION: Each capsule contains the following amount of the US Daily Value:

DIRECTIONS: As a dietary supplement, take 1 capsule daily with food or as directed by a health professional.

INGREDIENTS: This product contains only the highest-quality microcrystalline cellulose, gelatin (capsule), silica, and calcium folinate.

FOLINIC ACID DOES NOT CONTAIN: wheat, rye, oats, corn, soy, barley, gluten, sucrose, fructose, wax, yeast, egg, preservatives, casein or any other milk derivatives.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.