BIFIFOLIC

Folate (vitamin B9) is an essential nutrient necessary for DNA replication and as a substrate in various enzymatic reactions involved in amino acid synthesis and vitamin metabolism. During pregnancy, the demand for folate escalates due to its critical role in fetal growth and development. Folic acid, a form of folate, is pivotal during a baby's development for the formation of the neural tube. Consequently, folic acid supplementation is vital during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects, such as anencephaly and spina bifida, major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine. Moreover, folate deficiency in mothers has been linked to anomalies like anemia and peripheral neuropathy [1].

The probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subs. lactis BA05 has been chosen for its unique ability to produce 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), the active form of folic acid [2]. This capability has been demonstrated in in vitro, preclinical, and clinical studies [3-4]. In healthy volunteers, 30 days of supplementation with BA05 significantly increased total fecal folates. BA05 was also confirmed to effectively colonize the gut environment [4]. Unlike traditional exogenous supplementation, utilizing 5-MTHF-producing bacteria as a supplement offers an endogenous, auto-regulated source of folic acid, ensuring a constant bioavailability of vitamin B9.