How Deplin^® Compares to Folic Acid

• Folic acid requires a 4 step transformation process to be converted to the active form of folate, L-methylfolate.
• Upon absorption, Deplin^® can cross the blood brain barrier and is immediately available for use by the brain.
• The C/T and T/T polymorphisms confer a compromised ability to breakdown folic acid into L-methylfolate, the only form of folate that can be used by the brain to make serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.
• L-methyfolate is unaffected by both C/T and T/T polymorphisms.

Why Folic Acid Cannot be Substituted for Deplin^®

The prevalence of C/T and T/T polymorphisms is higher in individuals with depression.

The frequency of the T/T and C/T polymorphisms has been shown to occur in up to 70% of individuals with depression.¹¹

Depressed patients are at higher risk for the most serious polymorphism (T/T).

The T/T polymorphism occurs nearly twice as often in depressed patients compared to the general population.¹³

There are certain groups at higher risk for the most serious polymorphism (T/T).

The T/T polymorphism occurs nearly twice as often in Hispanic and Mediterranean populations than it does in the general population.¹⁰ Individuals who are Hispanic and depressed, or Mediterranean and depressed, are at significantly greater risk for this serious polymorphism.

Bioavailability

The peak concentration of methylfolate (5-MTHF) following the administration of 5-MTHF was more than seven times higher compared to the peak level of 5-MTHF following the administration of folic acid, irrespective of the patient's MTHFR genotype.¹⁴

Deplin^® (L-methylfolate) is an orally administered medical food for use only under medical supervision for the dietary management of suboptimal folate levels in depressed patients.

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