METHYLFOLATE, OR L-METHYLFOLATE, IS THE ACTIVE FORM OF FOLATE IN THE BODY, WHICH CAN BE TRANSPORTED INTO PERIPHERAL TISSUES AND ACROSS THE BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER. FOLATE IS NECESSARY FOR FORMATION OF NUMEROUS COENZYMES IN MANY METABOLIC SYSTEMS, PARTICULARLY FOR PURINE, PYRIMIDINE, AND NUCLEOPROTEIN SYNTHESIS, AND MAINTENANCE IN ERYTHROPOIESIS; STIMULATES WBC AND PLATELET PRODUCTION IN FOLATE DEFICIENCY ANEMIA.
A LACK (DEFICIENCY) OF FOLATE IN THE HUMAN BODY CAN BE CAUSED BY CERTAIN DISEASES, BY TAKING CERTAIN MEDICATIONS, OR BY NOT GETTING ENOUGH FOLATE IN YOUR DIET. FOLATE DEFICIENCY CAN LEAD TO DECREASED RED BLOOD CELLS, OR ANEMIA. FOLATE DEFICIENCY CAN ALSO CAUSE HIGH LEVELS OF A CERTAIN AMINO ACID IN THE BLOOD, A CONDITION CALLED HYPERHOMOCYSTEINEMIA