Conventional folic acid, which is still used in many food supplements, is an artificial, synthetic product that is not found in this form in nature and cannot be directly utilised by the body. In addition, many manufacturers offer folate preparations with highly pure active L-methylfolate, but this does not necessarily correspond to a high absorption rate of folic acid. Active L-methylfolate is always bound to a salt, the form and quality of which play a decisive role in the bioavailability of active folate. For maximum bioavailability, we have not only paid attention to the highest purity when selecting our active ingredient, but also to active components such as the crystalline form of the salt and the concentration and stability of the active L-methylfolate.
Metafolin® contains at least 99.9% highly pure L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate of the active 6S isomer; numerous manufacturers offer mixed products with up to 50% of the inactive 6R isomer, which is clearly reflected in the bioavailability of active folate. The patented premium active ingredient Metafolin® is highly bioavailable L-methylfolate as L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate, bound to calcium salt in a special type I-effective crystal form. This ensures that approximately 76% of the active ingredient can be absorbed into the blood, while other types of salt may only have an initial absorption of 56%. Due to at least 99.9% purity of the active (6S) isomer of L-methylfolate and its high stability, it is one of the three unrivalled premium active ingredients of L-methylfolate.
Many active ingredients on the market also contain a mixture of active L-methylfolate with the geometric variant R-methylfolate, which cannot be utilised by the body. Conventional forms of methylfolate can contain up to 50% of this ineffective variant and thus significantly reduce the already complex and difficult absorption of folic acid, so that only a maximum of 38% can be absorbed in the first step. Metafolin® combines maximum purity, bioactivity and stability for ideal absorption of folic acid.
The only other ingredient we use is premium gum arabic grown without plant protection products as a purely natural filler. In contrast to the usual synthetic filler microcrystalline cellulose mixed with nanoparticles, we use a natural, fibre-rich foodstuff as a filler. The soluble fibre in gum arabic is very well tolerated and serves as a food source for bifido- and lactobacteria in the intestine. Our gum arabic comes from climate-neutral, sustainable, resource-conserving and fair cultivation.
For the capsule shells we use custom-made HPMC capsules that, unlike most other HPMC and pullulan capsules on the market, are 100% free from controversial additives such as carrageenans and PEG. We then package this product in environmentally friendly amber glass.
