12/28/2022
Re share Tongue ties and sacral dimples are NOT JUST due to folic acid. But if we can get women off prenatals with folic acid and onto the correct form of folate, food rich forms (which hopefully their gut is working and absorbing nutrients from food because this is yet ANOTHER factor that is stacked against us in todays world of pesticides, antibiotics, chemicals, etc) BUT either way this issue needs to be brought to light. Folic acid IS NOT FOLATE. You need folate not folic acid. In fact, folic acid doesn't even cross the placenta. It has been shown to decrease rate of neural tube defects so it does do something but for most people it will not be helpful and can even harm you. Food sources of folate are you guessed it the ones NOT encouraged for pregnant women to eat like grassfed beef liver and eggs. Also spinach and legumes. But you also need zinc in the picture and guess what has both? Beef liver. 😉
Methylation is a complex topic. It's not just about folate. There are many things that impact methylation not just having a specific gene. News flash, you can have a child with a tongue tie and not actually have the MTHFR gene. This is because toxic chemicals, processed foods, nutrient depletion, chronic pathogens and infections can all impact how well you methylate.
So what is the answer? Well I'm not the expert on this.... go follow and read his book Dirty Genes, he also has a ton of info out there about this. Stick to whole foods and not processed which are likely to be "enriched" with folic acid. 😬 Find a prenatal with the correct form of folate or use targeted supplementation/foods during pregnancy (along with the okay from your provider)... Seeking Health, Needed are two that do have the correct forms. Try to eat organic when possible, less toxic products, this all makes a difference. There are other things that needs to be addressed and I'll do a follow up post on that and on tongue ties with another provider but know that folic acid is junk. You need folate.
Not medical advice. Speak with your healthcare provider before changing anything. This is meant to be educational.