The following information has been scientifically studied and confirmed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). [1] 

Folate / folic acid for reproduction 

• Folate contributes to the growth of placenta during pregnancy 

Folate / folic acid for the cells 

• Folate plays a role in cell division 

Folate / folic acid for the brain, nervous system and mental balance  

• Folate contributes to normal mental function 

Folate / folic acid for the heart, circulation and blood vessels 

• Folate contributes to normal formation of blood cells 

Folate / folic acid for the immune system  

• Folate contributes to normal functioning of the immune system 

Folate / folic acid for performance

• Folate contributes to the reduction of fatigue and tiredness 

Folate / folic acid for the metabolism 

• Folate contributes to normal synthesis of amino acid 
• Folate contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism 

Folate and/or folic acid are also known as vitamin B9 and are one of the essential B vitamins. Folic acid is only found in our diet in the form of folate. It is mainly found in green leafy vegetables, sprouts, fruits, nuts, dairy products, egg yolks, and liver.

However, folates are not very stable, and about 60-90% of folate is destroyed during cooking and through exposure to light. As a result, even nutrition-conscious people often find it difficult to meet their folate need through diet alone.

On top of that, only about 50% of the folate that makes its way into the body is absorbed. The reason for this is that enzymatic processes in the small intestine must first reduce folate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). Only in this form it can be transported in the blood and perform its tasks in tandem with other vitamins such as B12 and B6.

Folic acid is primarily offered as a nutritional supplement since, to date, it has not been possible to stabilise folate. But even folic acid must first be converted in the body into the active form of folate-5-MTHF, so that it can be used by our cells.

Typically, healthy people can get adequate amounts of folate

by eating a balanced diet. However, achieving this may not always be feasible - either temporarily or permanently.  

Folates are not very stable and around 60 to 90% of the folate in food is destroyed during cooking or by exposure to light. In addition, stress and certain illnesses, for example, can result in higher folic acid requirements. Even nutrition-conscious people often find it difficult to cover their folate and folic acid requirements with food.  

Pregnant women, women looking to conceive and women who are not using contraception are expressly recommended to take folic acid supplements to ensure an adequate supply in pregnancy – be it planned or unplanned. [2] 

It can therefore be sensible to ensure optimal folate or folic acid intake by taking appropriate dietary supplements. 

• 400 µg of highly bioavailable folate per capsule 
• pure folate without undesirable additives  
• for targeted, pure folate/folic acid supplementation  
• patented branded ingredient Quatrefolic® for maximum bioavailability and bioactivity 
• Quatrefolic® enters the bloodstream via the small intestine and is absorbed directly into the cells without first having to be converted in the body 
• Quatrefolic® is the only form of folic acid that can cross the blood-brain barrier 
• highest possible quality and purity 
• guaranteed free from GMOs 
• lactose-free, gluten-free 
• suitable for Vegetarians, Vegans, and Diabetics

"Food supplements are effective when the right nutrients are consumed by appropriate individuals at the right time and in the correct amounts." (verbraucherzentrale.de) [3] 

Vitality Nutritionals BioActive Folate 400 µg capsules are ideal for providing overall support for maintaining the folate balance, especially for those with an increased need for folate:  

• The German Nutrition Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung, DGE) advises women who are trying to or could conceive to eat a diet rich in folate. In addition, it is recommended to take 400 µg of folic acid or equivalent doses of other folates daily in the form of a supplement to prevent neural tube defects. This additional intake of a folic acid or folate supplement should begin at least 4 weeks before the start of pregnancy and be maintained during the first trimester. [4] In other countries, e.g. the USA, the recommended daily doses are 600 µg [5] or 800 m µg [6].Ask a specialist, e.g. your doctor, whether your diet is rich in folate and whether you require a folate or folic acid supplement in a higher dosage.  
• People with a permanently or temporarily restricted folate supply who do not get sufficient quantities of folate from their diet, e.g. due to their diet or while trying to lose weight. 
• People with an increased need for folate, e.g. due to illness, medication, stress, psychological strain or high alcohol consumption.  
• Elderly people with limited folate absorption due to age-related changes in digestive function. 
• etc. 

Quatrefolic acts directly and independently of enzymes

As previously mentioned, folic acid or folate obtained from food must first be converted by the body into the active folate form 5-MTHF. However, roughly half of all individuals have reduced enzyme function due to a genetic defect, the so-called MTHFR mutation, which can be detected through a gene test.

If the necessary enzymes are missing, unmetabolised conventional folic acid cannot be converted into the active folate 5-MTHF. Since 5-MTHF also activates the inactive form of vitamin B12 - Cobalamin - the presence of this genetic defect also impairs all vitamin B12 metabolism.

This explains why, despite adequate intake of folic acid, some individuals' folate blood levels are too low and they also show symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. Therefore, these individuals require the active form of folic acid contained in BioActive Folate capsules, as well as active vitamin B12 in the form of methyl cobalamin.

The absorption of food-derived folate and folic acid can also be diminished by absorption deficiencies in the intestine caused by e.g. celiac disease, medications, or contraceptives.

Folic acid supplements are not suitable for 

• those with folic acid hypersensitivity 
• those taking certain medications, e.g. certain anti-infectives, antibiotics such as chloramphenicol, contraceptives, some cancer drugs; if in doubt, seek medical advice 
• children, adolescents and adults who would exceed the respective tolerable total intakes with the supplement, see also the section "Do folate or folic acid in high doses have side effects?" 

According to the latest findings, a high intake of folates, which naturally occur in food, is not harmful. In contrast, a high intake of folic acid, e.g. via food supplements or fortified foods, can be harmful if the recommended intake is exceeded.  

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the tolerable upper intake level for adults is 1000 µg of folic acid per day. For children and adolescents aged 1 to 17 years, the tolerable upper intake level is 200 to 800 µg per day. If the folic acid intake is higher over a longer period of time, the risk of adverse effects is increased. [4]