Your Vulnerability to Folate Deficiency May Be in Your DNA.
While many people are able to absorb folate normally, people with specific genetic mutations cannot process the nutrient. MTHFR is an enzyme that converts the folate and folic acid absorbed from food and supplements into an active form. Unactivated folate can’t function in the body in the same way as activated folate. Mutations in the gene that produces MTHFR prevent it from properly activating folate. This means that the body lacks active folate, resulting in a folate deficiency. These mutations are also linked to a toxic build-up of the amino acid homocysteine, which is normally broken down by folate. People with MTHFR mutations cannot simply increase folate in their diet or take folic acid supplements because their bodies will be unable to process the nutrient in those forms. Instead, they take an already active form of folate.
