Folate vs. Folic Acid

​Now this is a topic that not many people talk about, but I think it is something that everyone should be aware of.  There is a huge difference between Folate (in its natural form) and folic acid (a chemical form). 

After watching this video
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnVRv0zGsFY&t=586s
I was reminiscing of the days when I was pregnant with each one of my girls.  I remember being so foggy headed and not being able to think or concentrate, and people would say, ‘oh, that’s the pregnancy brain syndrome’.    All these years I just ‘chalked it up’ to just being a part of pregnancy.  But after watching the above video and seeing how this doctor explained the physiology of how Folic Acid is processed (or the lack thereof) in the body it was like ‘BAM’!  It hit me!  As soon as I found out I was pregnant I immediately got on prenatal vitamins that are famous for having super high doses of Folic Acid.  Then it was like duh!  No wonder!
This doctor is making his focus on people with MTHFR, which is a genetic ‘malfunction’ for lack of better words, where the body is unable to process and get rid of toxins as efficiently as normal.  And why is Folic Acid a big thing to avoid if you have MTHFR?  Because your body sees it as a TOXIN! 
 
But what about FOLATE?  Yes, our body NEEDS Folate.  In fact studies show that a diet high in Folate-rich foods can help prevent cancer, heart disease, birth defects, anemia and cognitive decline.  Notice I said Folate-rich foods!  The key here is to get Folate in it’s natural form, which is the form your body can process and utilize best. Yes you can supplement with Folic Acid, in fact it’s in just about every processed food you buy, as well as most vitamins.  But if you’re like me, you’ll probably start reading labels and trying to avoid it where possible and aim for getting foods, especially vitamins and supplements, that have the natural form; which is folate, not as folic acid, but as a whole food source.  The doctor in the following video goes over the different natural forms of folate you’ll want to look for on your vitamin labels.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWFPRI6X7P4&t=2200s
 
So what are some folate rich foods?  The following list is not exhaustive but it will get you started!
nutritionfacts.org/video/can-folic-acid-be-harmful/

​Leafy Green Vegetables

• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Peas
• Citrus Fruits
• Beans/Lentils
• Avocados

These are great foods to add to your daily regimen and meal planning.  Why not try some of these and whip up a delicious green smoothie!
Give this recipe a try:
                       
2-3 handfuls of frozen leafy greens (kale, spinach, chard, bok choy, etc.)
            ½  an Avocado
            1-2 Tbsp raw Sunflower Seeds
            1-2 Tbsp raw shelled Pumpkin Seeds
            2-3 Tbsp plant based Vanilla flavored protein powder
            *optional add a sweetner of your choice, I usually use a little raw honey
​
This makes an amazing green smoothie!  And I always use frozen greens, they just seem to taste better that way, plus you can buy bulk and freeze most of it!