Posted by Cobra on July 10, 2008, at 18:20:23
In reply to DEPLIN L-methylfolate, posted by henryo on January 2, 2008, at 2:21:21
I am currently writing an article on Deplin and l-methylfolate for a clinician journal. I'd just like to share some information that I've put together during my research for the article and hope to help some understanding of how it helps and who should be taking L-methylfolate.
My research is on the MTHFR gene and specifically how polymorphism of this gene leads to a myriad of health complications.
The quick and dirty run down is that about 50% of US caucasians have a polymorohphism (bad copy) of this gene leading to the production of an misformed enzyme. If you want more background google MTHFR and you'll find plenty of info. This enzyme converts folate from one confirmation to another which is then used in a proccess to turn the amino acid homocysteine to another amino acid, methionine.
What does this mean for your brain? Well, essentially you need folate to be in the right form and if you are one of the unlucky 50% then your ability to do so is reduced. There are various forms of the polymorphism that result in varying reductions in enzyme activity.
The MTHFR polymorphisms have been linked in studies to the incidence of depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. The problem for these patients is that a simple increase in dietary or supplemental folate cannot increase "bioavailability" of methylfolate in the brain because only l-methylfolate can cross the blood-brain barrier.
In fact, people with a MTHFR polymorhism who take folic acid supplements decrease the ability for l-methylfolate to make it into the brain because regular folic acid fits into the receptors but does not pass through.
Depressed patients with low red blood cell folate are 6x more liekly not to respond to anti-depressant therapy and less likely to achieve remission. However, for the 50% of people who have the polymorphism the only way increase "bioavailable" folate is to take l-methylfolate.
Deplin, Metanx, and Cerafolin NAC are the three existing options in the US.
Hope this helps.
poster:Cobra
thread:803728
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080706/msgs/839172.html