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Essential Guide to Choosing the Best Prenatal Vitamin for You & Your Baby
Congratulations! Whether you’re planning to have a baby, are currently pregnant, or have already delivered a bundle of joy, you’re entering an exciting new chapter of your life. While it’s normal to feel anxious about bringing a new life into the world, there are many ways to improve your health and the health of your baby…before, during and after the pregnancy. Start Protecting Your Future The best way to safeguard the future is to plan for it. For your sake, and the sake of your baby, make sure your behaviors and choices are healthy ones. After all, your life isn’t just about you, it’s about your future descendants too. Epigenetics, a branch of genetics, has taken the field of science by storm over the past 20 years. Epigenetic means “above or on top of the gene.” It refers to the startling discovery that your habits, emotions, and environment can turn on or off certain genes, making illness more or less likely to afflict you, your children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. It’s mainly through epigenetics that immediate environmental factors like diet, stress, toxins can affect the activity of the genes that are passed to your offspring and beyond. This makes it extremely important for those seeking to start a family to get the right nutrition from the start. Nutrients provided by a healthy diet and science-based dietary supplements can help ensure epigenetic benefits for mother and baby. Research studies² epigenetics and the long-term benefits of prenatal care on both the mother's and baby's health. But even considering epigenetics, your body needs vitamins, certain minerals, and some specific other nutrients to be healthy and to conceive and carry a child. Your body needs these substances to power the thousands of enzymes that make life energy and use this energy to maintain your reproductive organs, brain, heart and other tissues, particularly as you become pregnant and nurture another person inside of you. Another study³ explores how prenatal nutrition, including dietary supplements, can shape the epigenome of the developing fetus, impacting the child's future health outcomes. Better nourished mothers have healthier babies with well-developed brains. BrainMD did considerable research to develop a combination of nutrients that are essential for your and your baby's health while being safe and extremely well-tolerated. We put together a clean, sugar-free, gluten-free formula called Smart Prenatal that you will appreciate. Build Your Baby’s Brain Reserve Brain reserve is the functional cushion of healthy brain tissue that helps us deal with the unexpected stresses that come our way. The more brain reserve we have, the more resilient we are in times of trouble. The less we have in reserve, the more vulnerable we are. This is even more important for both mother and baby during and after pregnancy. Smart ingredients help ensure healthy brain reserve. Since many factors can increase or decrease our brain reserve, babies can begin life at very different levels of reserve. For example, considerable research shows that if a mother is exposed to environmental toxins, contaminated foods, negative lifestyle factors such as cigarette or marijuana smoke, alcohol drinks, or constant emotional stress while she is pregnant, may affect a baby’s brain reserve level. Conversely, if a mother gets exercise, eats a healthy diet, avoids toxins, and takes a well-formulated prenatal dietary supplement, she's way more likely to have a fully developed baby with ample brain reserve. Anything that harms the brain can decrease its reserve. Here are some examples: Excessive stress can kill brain cells, particularly in the memory centers (hippocampi). Blows to the head, concussions, or other brain injuries should be taken very seriously. Poor diet is linked to deficiencies of vitamins and minerals that impair the brain. Environmental toxins such as lead, pesticides, artificial ingredients in cosmetics and other personal use products can be terribly destructive to brain cells. Anything that decreases blood flow or oxygen delivery to the brain, such as lack of sleep, sleep apnea, smoking or too much caffeine, can steal from your brain's reserves. The exciting news is that you can support your baby’s brain reserve by supporting your own. One of the best ways to accomplish this is with prenatal vitamins designed from the considerable scientific research available. Why Are Prenatal Vitamins Important? The extraordinary, miraculous process of carrying a baby creates a dramatically greater need for nutrients in the mother, both during and after pregnancy. Mothers therefore have a greater need to pay attention to their nutrition. It’s important to eat a healthy and balanced diet to support these needs, but studies such as the iconic NHANES from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention document that nutritional deficiencies are widespread. A supplement designed specifically for pregnant and lactating women helps ensure that you get the much greater supply of nutrients you and your growing baby needs. Smart Prenatal was specifically designed to support both mother and baby through this entire process.* Its ingredients were painstakingly selected for purity, efficient absorption and optimal utilization by the brain and other organs.* The BrainMD team did considerable research to develop a combination of nutrients that are essential for your and your baby's health while being safe and extremely well-tolerated.* Drawing on our extensive experience with human development, form, and function, we put together a very clean formula with meaningful amounts of the nutrients that both mother and baby need.* We also triple-checked the research to put necessary emphasis on brain health and development as we formulated this breakthrough supplement.* Choosing the Best Prenatal Vitamin Choosing the best prenatal vitamin can feel overwhelming, given the variety of options available. To make the right choice, it’s essential to look for key nutrients that support both maternal and fetal health. A high-quality prenatal should contain essential vitamins and minerals like folate (preferably as methylfolate) as highlighted in this study¹ for being crucial for baby's health, vitamin D, iron supplements (if recommended by your healthcare provider), and omega-3 fatty acids. Look for a formula that includes methylated B vitamins, which are easier for your body to absorb and utilize, especially if you have genetic variations that affect folate metabolism. Additionally, purity and safety are vital. Select a prenatal vitamin free from artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and allergens like gluten, dairy, and soy. An evidence-based formula that prioritizes brain and overall health can provide lasting benefits for both mother and child. At BrainMD, we understand the importance of high-quality nutrients for expectant mothers. That’s why we created Smart Prenatal, a carefully formulated, science-backed prenatal vitamin.* Our formula includes 28 essential ingredients like methylfolate, methylcobalamin (B12), choline, lutein, and zeaxanthin to support healthy brain and body development.* With its high-purity ingredients and thoughtful design, Smart Prenatal offers optimal nourishment for both mom and baby, without any unnecessary additives.* How is Smart Prenatal Different? The ingredients in BrainMD’s Smart Prenatal represent the most advanced scientific research on the nutritional requirements of mother and baby during pregnancy and after birth.* This high-quality formula is for mothers who want to make certain their nutrition supports their baby’s developing brain, eyes, and heart, along with all their other organs.* We also carefully selected the ingredients in this formula for their superior safety of use, not only during the pregnancy period but postpartum as well, to promote the adequate nutrient content of breast milk during the lactation period.* Smart Prenatal includes all 13 vitamins in their most active forms, including folate (as methylfolate), which is better utilized by mother and baby than the synthetic folic acid.* The formula includes the methylcobalamin form of vitamin B12, which is essential for methylfolate to work at its best.* Smart Prenatal contains a total of 28 crucial ingredients, including 9 essential minerals and "conditionally-essential" nutrients such as choline, coenzyme Q10, boron, lutein and zeaxanthin.* These last two are known to be crucial for healthy eye development, but new research indicates they are also involved in healthy brain function.* Smart Prenatal uses only the purest available ingredients—those best proven for safe and effective utilization.* It’s loaded with nutrients that support, promote and enhance healthy brain and body development during pregnancy and breastfeeding.* And it doesn't have any herbs that are questionable for the vulnerable developing baby.* Smart Prenatal FAQ Are Herbs Good for Pregnant Women? Herbs that can benefit an adult woman may not necessarily benefit a developing child. This formula prioritizes nutrients that human cells naturally and routinely employ to promote healthy embryonic development and growth.* This supplement was formulated to rule out any possibility of unwanted adverse reactions that would detract from the optimal health of the baby as well as the mother.* Can Mothers Who Have Allergies Take Smart Prenatal? Absolutely! The BrainMD team has certified that Smart Prenatal is free of gluten, sugar, yeast, dairy, corn, eggs, and any artificial colors or flavors.* Take this supplement according to the specific Suggested Use on the label. What About Omega-3s? Due to technical limitations, it isn’t possible to effectively combine omega-3s with such a large variety of powder ingredients without it degrading for a brief period of time. We highly recommend most mothers to complement Smart Prenatal with BrainMD’s Omega-3 Power, which supplies the high intakes of EPA and DHA both mother and baby need. Getting appropriate levels of EPA and DHA during pregnancy and breastfeeding is essential for the long-term development and health of your baby’s brain.* Do Pregnant Mothers Need Extra Iron? It’s true that many pregnant women can benefit from an iron supplement. However, too much iron during pregnancy can be very harmful, so it’s best to have a physician conduct the appropriate testing before prescribing iron supplements.* But also, we don't combine iron with certain other active ingredients in a dietary supplement, since the iron atom is so highly reactive it can potentially generate harmful free radical toxins.* BrainMD strongly recommends iron supplements be taken as a single iron ingredient. When Should a Mother Take Smart Prenatal? Since Smart Prenatal is safe to take before, during and after pregnancy, women can start taking them anytime before pregnancy.* Many of the ingredients in this combination also promote healthy conception.* The mother is well advised to continue supplementation all the way through postpartum until at least the end of breastfeeding.* Smart Prenatal is a uniquely high-quality, pre-and-postnatal supplement that’s nutritionally optimized to promote healthy brain and body while being safe for both mom and baby.* Try Smart Prenatal today! At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen. References: ¹Crider, K. S., Bailey, L. B., & Berry, R. J. (2019). Folic acid food fortification—its history, effect, concerns, and future directions. Nutrients, 13(5), 1456. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13051456 ²Fleming, T. P., Watkins, A. J., Velazquez, M. A., Mathers, J. C., Prentice, A. M., Stephenson, J., ... & Barker, M. (2018). Origins of lifetime health around the time of conception: Causes and consequences. The Lancet, 391(10132), 1842-1852. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30312-X ³Custodero, C., Tarsitano, M. G., & Cardinali, V. (2021). The influence of diet and supplements on the prenatal epigenome and health of offspring. Nutrients, 13(1), 219. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13010219
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Best Foods for Pregnancy & Tips to Stay Healthy During Morning Sickness
Nutrition is incredibly important during pregnancy. The developing baby, and mother, require plenty of nutrients to thrive both during the pregnancy and beyond. However, many women struggle with food aversions, morning sickness, and intense cravings that can make eating a hassle. Also, eating healthy can feel impossible. In this article, we’ll discuss some tips to help you eat well when nothing sounds appetizing, as well as what to eat for an optimal pregnancy. Tips for Eating Healthy During Morning (or All-Day) Sickness Despite its name, morning sickness often occurs throughout the day. It varies in intensity from woman to woman and can be difficult to manage. If you’re struggling to keep food down, you aren’t alone. 85% of women experience this pregnancy woe. Some research suggests morning sickness may be worsened by a deficiency in vitamin B6. Interestingly, many women report reduced symptoms if they eat protein immediately upon waking. Here are some tips and tricks for dealing with morning sickness, as well as some methods for coping until it passes (which for most women, is in the second trimester). Ginger Root Ginger is a common remedy for nausea. It’s great for soothing the stomach and combating queasiness. Its warming effect can help ease irritation, as well. However, if you’re actively throwing up (and not just feeling like you might at any second), you may want to try a cooling tea instead. Since ginger can be considered spicy, meaning it causes a hot or burning sensation, it can cause more irritation in your throat if you vomit. Peppermint Tea A cooling herb, peppermint may be a good alternative if you want relief between vomiting spells. Peppermint has similar benefits to ginger tea but without the spiciness. Sipping warm peppermint tea will provide a cooling effect in your throat. That’s great news since vomiting or dry heaving can cause throat irritation. Like ginger, peppermint also helps calm the stomach. You can buy peppermint tea in many “Morning Sickness” tea blends or make your own by steeping the leaves in boiling water for several minutes before straining them into a mug. Vitamin B6 Supplements Some research suggests nausea and vomiting during pregnancy can be remedied by increasing your intake of vitamin B6. This may be through your diet or supplements. There are also specific anti-nausea gummies that contain B6 to target nausea. One study showed that women in their first trimester experienced similar nausea relief when taking either 500 mg of ginger or 40 mg of vitamin B6 twice daily versus placebo. Both ginger and B6 were more effective than the placebo, with similar overall results between ginger and B6. Ginger was more effective for reducing the intensity of vomiting. Eat Protein Upon Waking Before getting out of bed, try snacking on something with protein first thing in the morning. Peanut butter crackers are a good mixture. The crackers are easy to digest, while the peanut butter has protein to keep nausea at bay. You can keep them on your nightstand for easy access. Other ideas: Peanut butter and half a banana Trail mix with nuts such as cashews, almonds, or walnuts Greek yogurt Morning Sickness vs. Hyperemesis Gravidarum Sometimes, women experience extreme bouts of vomiting. While rare, this condition is called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). It’s characterized by severe nausea and vomiting resulting in dizziness and fainting. It can lead to issues such as dehydration or weight loss, which can negatively impact mom and baby. Unlike morning sickness, which is mild in comparison, HG sufferers are unable to keep any food or drink down due to near-constant vomiting. If you suspect you may have HG, it’s important to discuss this with your healthcare professional right away. Eating Well with Morning Sickness Every woman’s experience is different, so making specific recommendations for combating your nausea struggles will be best handled by your healthcare provider. However, here are some quick tips for what to eat when nothing sounds good and/or you’re throwing up throughout the day. If you have a food aversion to meat or eggs, it can be difficult to get enough protein. Some women find that eating Greek yogurt is easy on their stomach while still being high in protein (often 10 or more grams per serving). Protein shakes also are an easy way to increase your protein intake. They come in many flavors and varieties, so many women find this to be both a convenient and easy way to feel full longer, keep nausea at bay, and meet protein needs. Staying hydrated while you’re experiencing nausea and vomiting can make a big difference. Vomiting can cause dehydration, which can make fatigue worse. Some women find that they tolerate ice-cold water better when they’re nauseous. Carry a water bottle with you so you remember to drink plenty of water. Listen to your body. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with thoughts of how much you “should” be eating and whether your lack of appetite or vomiting is negatively impacting your baby. However, it’s important to know that calorie needs don’t increase in the first trimester, and morning sickness is a normal part of the pregnancy process. It’s one sign that your hormones are doing exactly what they need to for your baby’s development. It’s a good idea to listen to your body’s signals during this time and be mindful to consume healthy foods that your body is telling you it needs. For example, if you can’t stand eggs but think you may be craving protein, reach for some nuts or Greek yogurt to get the protein or fat your body may be asking for. Some of the Best Nourishing Foods for Pregnancy Good nutrition is vital throughout pregnancy. Each stage of development for a baby comes with different nutrient needs. And, for mom to feel her best, getting enough of these nutrients is key to avoiding the effects of nutrient depletion. If you’re experiencing fatigue, mental fog, or dizziness, these may be remedied by eating a more nutritious diet. Fatty Fish Fatty fish like salmon are excellent sources of EPA and DHA. These fats are necessary for the baby’s brain, particularly cognitive and visual development. Two servings of fatty fish per week are recommended to help meet this requirement. Your prenatal vitamin may also contain DHA, or you can find a separate supplement. If you’re vegan, look for DHA supplements made from algae. It’s important to look for low-mercury fish during pregnancy to avoid mercury getting into the baby. Other low-mercury, high DHA fish include sardines and trout. Leafy Greens Greens such as kale and spinach contain folate, which is important for spinal cord development. Folate is especially important in the first trimester when the spinal column is forming. The neural tube is closed at about 4 weeks gestation, so eating plenty of leafy greens and other folate-containing foods is important before pregnancy as well, given that many women don’t realize they’re pregnant by the 4th week of gestation. High-Iron Foods Eating high-quality red meats, beans, spinach, and pumpkin seeds is important for getting enough iron in your diet. Pairing these types of foods with a source of vitamin C such as citrus, bell pepper, or strawberries will increase the absorption of iron as well. Iron is needed to keep up with the increased blood volume your body creates. This blood goes to the placenta and baby to deliver nutrients. Without iron, your body can’t deliver oxygen and other nutrients as effectively. Eggs Eggs are an often overlooked, all-star food for pregnancy. This is because eggs, and specifically their yolks, contain choline. One large egg also contains 6 grams of protein. Choline is just as important for cognitive development as DHA. One egg contains 169 mg of choline, about 38% of your daily needs during pregnancy. Studies demonstrate choline’s role in lifelong memory function and neural tube development. Despite its documented significance, many popular drugstore prenatal vitamins don’t contain choline, so it’s important to know dietary sources. In addition to eggs, choline can be found in organ meats such as beef or chicken liver. Vitamin D and Calcium These vitamins are important for fetal bone development. They work together to build strong bones in-utero, and this is important for bone health throughout life. The current recommendation for vitamin D intake is 600 IU per day. For calcium, the daily recommendation is 1,000 mg. Sources of calcium include dairy products, leafy greens, and low-fat yogurt. Sources of vitamin D, apart from the sun, include fatty fish, cod liver oil, white mushrooms, and eggs. Note: calcium and iron compete for absorption in the body, so if you’re supplementing iron, be careful to take your iron supplement 2-4 hours apart from high-calcium foods or beverages. Stay Hydrated You’ve probably heard that pregnant women need to drink plenty of water. You may dread this fact since a baby kicking and pushing on your bladder means frequent restroom visits. Your growing baby is suspended in amniotic fluid. Your own body, as well as your baby’s body, is made up of lots of water, too. To keep up with the increased demand, replenishing fluids is key. Plus, proper hydration can decrease your risk for other unpleasant pregnancy issues like urinary tract infections. Lemon water is a great way to stay hydrated. Lemons contain electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Adding lemon to your water helps your body stay hydrated longer than plain water. Coconut water has a similar effect. High-Quality Prenatal Vitamin Taking a prenatal vitamin is highly recommended, even if you eat a stellar, nutrient-dense diet. Especially during the first trimester when food intakes can vary widely, it’s wise to invest in the highest quality prenatal supplement that works for your budget and your stomach. You may have to try a few before you find one that makes you feel your best. So, if you’re planning to become pregnant, now is the best time to start testing out different ones. Just keep in mind that what you take while planning conception may need to change if it doesn’t agree with your stomach once you’re pregnant. A prenatal can help make sure you’re meeting all your nutrient needs, even when you’re craving chili cheese dogs or hanging out by the toilet most of the day. A Few Key Nutrients to Look for in a Prenatal Vitamin Look for a prenatal with methylated folate (5-MTHF). This is the active form of folate and is better absorbed by the body. The current recommendations for folate are 400 mcg per day. If your prenatal doesn’t contain iron or DHA, talk with your provider about supplementing with these separately. Not all women require iron supplementation during pregnancy, but most women are at risk for low iron levels due to increased blood volume. DHA is necessary for proper brain development and should be taken in addition to a prenatal if the prenatal doesn’t contain it. The current recommendations for DHA intake are 300 mg per day. Pregnant women require at least 27 mg of iron per day. It’s important to discuss this with your healthcare provider to know if you need to take additional iron. Choline is newer on the prenatal nutrition scene. A growing body of scientific evidence is demonstrating how important this nutrient is for fetal brain development. Unfortunately, most women don’t meet the recommendations for this nutrient. The current recommendation for choline intake is 450 mg per day. Final Thoughts Pregnancy is a time of exponential growth and change for both mother and baby. While most women know nutrition is key during pregnancy, it can often be an uphill battle trying to meet your goals. Thankfully, there are many ways to manage morning sickness. Natural remedies such as ginger or peppermint tea can help you cope, but if you find yourself unable to go about your daily activities due to vomiting, or feeling dizzy, weak, or faint, it may be a sign of a more serious condition that justifies a call to your OBGYN or midwife. Food aversions and loss of appetite are other common barriers to eating well during pregnancy. It’s important to listen to your body while focusing on eating a balance of healthy carbs, protein, and healthy fats. It’s important not to be too hard on yourself and invest in a high-quality prenatal to ensure you’re meeting your ideal nutrient intakes. By focusing on the key nutrients mentioned in this article, you can optimize your nutrition to have a healthier pregnancy and give your baby a great start in life. Your doctor, midwife, or dietitian who specializes in prenatal nutrition can help make personalized recommendations to address your needs and concerns. At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.
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The Ultimate New Mom & Baby Gift Guide
Whether you’re a new or expecting mother, or know someone that fits into either of those categories, you know that being a mom is tough. That said, celebrating mamas shouldn’t be! So, in honor of the holiday season, and more importantly, all of the mothers and expecting mothers, we’ve rounded up some of the best gifts for her and her bundle of joy – approved by the mothers (and soon to be mothers), here at BrainMD. 8 Thoughtful Gifts for New Moms 1. Bundle Of Joy Containing our best-selling, brain-supporting, ultra-pure Omega-3 Power softgels alongside our micronutrient-packed Smart Prenatal, Bundle of Joy is the smartest set on the market and the perfect pair for both mom and baby.* 2. The Slouch Dress Having a baby is one of the most incredible experiences a woman can have, but getting back to her pre-pregnancy body is (as you know if you’re a new mom), a whole other story. Help the new mama in your life feel like herself again with this super chic, super comfortable, super flattering LBD from Hatch. 3. Brain In Love Chocolate Packed with brain-boosting power and 9 grams of fiber, this sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, keto-friendly, non-GMO chocolate bar is an absolute must, especially during the holidays. 4. Milkmaid Goods Diaper Bag It’s no secret that babies come with a lot of stuff. And when you're out and about, a roomy and well-organized diaper bag is an absolute essential. Give the gift that proves the mama in your life can do it all and look good while doing it. 5. The Bee & The Fox Tough as a Mother Tee “‘Women are always saying, ‘We can do anything that men can do.’ But Men should be saying, ‘We can do anything that women can do.’” -Gloria Steinem, we couldn’t agree more. Grab this comfy fitted crewneck tee for all the strong women in your life. 6. Merry Maids Housekeeping Service This year, make the holidays even merrier for the mamas in your life by taking care of her housework for a day. 7. New Skills for Frazzled Parents New moms spend a LOT of time at home with their just-born babies. Of course, we suggest that she try to sleep while the baby is sleeping, but gifting her a good book is great for those times when catching ZZZ’s just isn’t in the cards. New Skills for Frazzled Parents DVD by Dr. Daniel Amen is the instruction manual that should come with every child. She’ll thank you for this one again and again. 8. EMU Australia Mayberry Slippers Like we said before, new moms spend a lot of time at home with their newborn babies. They also spend a lot of time on their feet! Make her feel like she’s standing on a bed of clouds with a pair of Aussie sheepskin slippers. 6 Perfect Gifts for Baby 1. Lovevery Play Kit Subscription Playtime with a purpose. These thoughtfully crafted award-winning educational play products and toys are designed by child development experts for stage-based learning and enriching your baby’s developing brain. 2. Tubby Todd Gift Set From newborn to ninety, Tubby Todd’s body care basics are the perfect present for families looking for high-quality clean skincare, lotions, and ointments. Plus, all of their products come packed in an adorable box, so no wrapping is required. 3. Aden And Anais Swaddle Set Breathable, versatile and soft as a mama’s touch, these do-it-all 100% cotton muslin swaddles make the perfect baby gift. 4. Baby University Board Book Set Featuring Quantum Physics for Babies, Rocket Science for Babies, General Relativity for Babies, and Newtonian Physics for Babies, this 4-book set is the perfect gift for your future brainiac. 5. Kids' NeuroVite Orange Chewables Although not meant for newborns, these bite-sized, kid-friendly, penguin-shaped chewable vitamins are perfect for the little ones in your life. After all, tiny brains need big-time nourishment. 6. Penguin Stuffed Animal This super-soft handmade penguin is knit from 100 percent cotton and makes an adorable present for expecting mothers and little ones. Plus, each purchase empowers artisans in Peru. Pair with Kids' NeuroVite Orange Chewables for the perfect gift. The BrainMD team wishes you and yours a safe, healthy, and happy Holiday Season! At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.
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Folic Acid vs. Folate: Everything You Need to Know
Did you know that there are 13 vitamins that are vital — essential — to your survival? Among them is the lineup of B vitamins with names like thiamin (for vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), and niacin (vitamin B3). Then there's folate, incredibly important for our health no matter our stage of life. The folate vitamin group is most active when converted into methylfolate (MF). What is Folate? Folate is a group of chemically complicated substances that supply the body with chemically simple methyl groups. The body needs folates but can’t make them from scratch and therefore must get from foods or dietary supplements. Folate is vital at every life stage, from early development in the womb through birth and all the way through adulthood. But for many people lifestyle factors, popularly used medications or common gene mutations deplete their folate stores. For these individuals AND for the rest of us, methylfolate is the best dietary form of folate. Methylfolate (technically methyltetrahydrofolate) is the body's most active form of folate. ALL our cells need MF to drive specialized enzymes that make the DNA, genes, and chromosomes. All our cells also need MF to repair damage to their DNA (which is occurring all the time, even in healthy cells). Methyl coming mainly from folate is also very important for epigenetics — turning genes on and off using methyl — as well as to enable cells to grow, maintain their structure and make new cells. Our 200 billion brain cells need MF for all these reasons. But also, they need MF to enable them to make nerve cells' electrical insulation, important neurotransmitters, even a major hormone. Yet MF is not commonly found in foods and very rarely provided by dietary supplements. BrainMD has made methylfolate a priority ingredient in our brain-directed dietary supplements. Lifestyle, Medications Deplete the Body's Folate Supply The body's stores of MF and other methyl resources are in danger of depletion by alcohol abuse, smoking, and by high usage of drugs such as antacids, antibiotics, painkillers, certain diuretics, estrogen replacement therapy, oral contraceptives, anticonvulsants, and SSRI psychotherapeutics. Poor diet, poor digestive and absorptive function, and suboptimal kidney function all can deplete the body's folate stores. During pregnancy, the demand for folate becomes greatly increased due to the needs of the developing baby. Supplementing with Methylfolate from BrainMD Health helps provide your brain and body with optimized folate, to improve your chances of maintaining health and well-being. What’s the Difference Between Folate, Folic Acid, and Methylfolate? Many foods are being "fortified" with folic acid (FA) to help consumers maintain good nutritional folate status. Also, dietary supplements that include folate typically provide it as FA. Yet this substance is a manufactured folate that is known to be poorly utilized by the body's folate enzyme system. The body has to use an enzyme to make FA usable, and this enzyme's conversion capacity is limited. Consequently, many people have unconverted FA in their bloodstream, which studies have linked to negative health effects. Methylfolate is the folate form most naturally preferred by the body, so much so that the intestinal lining has "transport proteins" that bind to it and selectively absorb it into the blood. Similar proteins also move MF from the circulation into the brain tissue. But MF utilization can be blocked by the FA coming from fortified foods or poorly formulated dietary supplements. Folic acid is not just poorly effective — it actually interferes with the enzymes that are tasked with using MF and the other folates coming from our foods. Folic acid consumption is a serious health issue. Bottom line: always choose supplements with methylfolate instead of folic acid. Methylfolate Bypasses Common Folate Mutations Unlike folic acid (FA), methylfolate, when consumed, does not have to be converted into active folate—being already the body's most active folate form, it can be immediately used by our folate enzyme systems. One of the most common human gene mutations is the C677T mutation in the enzyme MTHFR (Methylene Tetrahydrofolate Reductase), whose function is to produce MF. More than 40 percent of individuals in some ethnic groups have this mutation, which is associated with impaired folate utilization. Taking MF by mouth bypasses this mutation: as premade authentic MF it doesn't need to be produced by MTHFR. For people with C677T or various other, less common MTHFR mutations MF is a health breakthrough! What Are the Benefits of Methylfolate Here are a few of the numerous health benefits of MF: Fundamental to the growth, renewal, and total functioning of our cells, tissues and organs. Clinically proven for healthy mood, memory and other cognitive functions, and behavior. Enhances the clinically proven mood benefits of SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine). Essential for the brain to make the key neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Promotes the brain's healthy production of melatonin, our major sleep hormone. Enhances the body's regulation of homocysteine, a potentially toxic human metabolic product. Promotes healthy pregnancy and birth outcomes. Best Prenatal Vitamin With Methylfolate Whether you’re pregnant or planning to have a baby, it’s vital that you get proper nutrition, and you especially have to ensure you're getting sufficient usable folate. Getting MF from a state-of-the-art prenatal supplement like Smart Prenatal helps ensure you can meet your growing baby's nutritional needs — and yours, as well.* The baby's heart and brain are already forming just 6 weeks after conception, a woman who is low on folate and becomes pregnant may be at a health disadvantage for her pregnancy before she even knows she's pregnant. Since MF is essential for fetal development, it’s recommended for all women of reproductive age to take Smart Prenatal before, during and after pregnancy.* This supplement and others from BrainMD also provide methyl-vitamin B12, a necessary complement to MF: these two vitamins work as a team. Crucial from the Beginning Folate is the most researched nutrient for pregnancy, yet most prenatal vitamins and other multivitamins continue to provide synthetic folic acid. The methyl groups coming from the MF in Smart Prenatal is absolutely critical for the proper development of the baby’s heart AND nervous system AND all the other organs.* Methyl from MF is needed from the moment of fertilization of the human egg, through the development of the brain, heart and other organs, to birth, and throughout a person’s lifetime. Methylfolate Crucial After Pregnancy After birth, MF continues to be extremely crucial for an infant’s development. As the mother’s body works at its utmost to maintain sufficient levels of breast milk, her methyl and folate reserves are in danger of becoming depleted, which makes both infant and mother vulnerable to all the problems that come with folate deficiency. By continuing to supplement with MF, which happens to be the predominant folate in breast milk, a mother can be confident she's supporting her infant’s ongoing growth while protecting her own mood and well-being. Smart Prenatal with MF avoids the uncertainties and limitations associated with the use of folic acid in prenatal supplements.* Better nourished mothers have healthier babies with well-developed brains.* Children of mothers who are well-nourished and breastfeed have substantially better chances for optimal health as they mature into adults.* FAQs About Methylfolate 1. Do I really need Methylfolate? Yes, you need it, and way more than you need folic acid! And your brain really needs it! Clinical research has confirmed that taking MF as a supplement can effectively improve the brain and total body's folate status, and especially promotes positive mood. MF also promotes healthy memory, behavior, the entire range of healthy brain functions, and a huge array of functions in the bone marrow, liver, and other organs. MF is the best commercially available dietary supplement for correcting confirmed folate deficiency and for any other situation where folate supplementation is recommended. 2. How safe is Methylfolate? What is the recommended dosage range? MF’s safety is well documented, and it has been used safely as a dietary supplement for many years, with remarkable success. In multiples such as BrainMD's NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin, an effective dose of MF is 400 micrograms (mcg) and up. Higher doses are needed during pregnancy, so our Smart Prenatal supplies 1000 mcg per day.* People with mood challenges or with any of the known folate gene mutations can benefit from even higher amounts, and Methylfolate is very safe to take.* BrainMD's high-potency Methylfolate supplies 5000 mcg (5 milligrams) of MF. This level of daily dosing and higher has been proven safe from clinical research at Harvard and other research institutions.* When under a physician’s supervision, up to 3 caps of Methylfolate (15 mg) can be taken daily without concern. 3. Will Methylfolate cause problems for those taking methotrexate? We advise anyone taking methotrexate to consult a nutritionally-informed physician before taking Methylfolate. 4. Can vegans and vegetarians take Methylfolate? Yes, it’s fully suitable for anyone not wanting exposure to animal-based foods or supplements. 5. Is Methylfolate compatible with other dietary supplements? Yes, MF is very safe, very well tolerated and fully compatible with multiple vitamin/mineral supplements, fish oils, herbals, and other responsibly-formulated dietary supplements.* Further, MF’s multiple methyl actions tend to reinforce the benefits of other dietary supplements.* For example, taking MF along with BrainMD's SAMe Mood & Movement 400 and Betaine TMG can make a big difference for maintaining a healthy mood.* Taking folate as Methyfolate is well-proven nutritional health insurance for mood, memory, the other cognitive functions, behavior, and overall brain and body health.* For more information about Methylfolate, and our full line of brain-healthy supplements, visit us at BrainMD. At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about Smart Prenatal and our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.
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