Women’s reproductive health is inextricably linked to an adequate intake of micronutrients for the formation and implementation of the adaptive potential of mother and child.
Among these nutrients, folate and iron are critical for proper preparation for and during pregnancy, where their supplementation is regulated by clinical protocols and prescribed by physicians.
The authors of the review article have taken in consideration publications from 2012 to 2022 to reveal the current limitations of the use of peroral iron salts and folic, prerequisites for the development of an innovative product registered in Russia with Quatrefolic® and microencapsulated micronized iron.
Folic acid and Iron oral forms limitations
Limitations of folic acid refer mainly to enzymatic polymorphisms of dihydrofolate reductase/DHFR and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase/MTHFR and unmetabolized folic acid, while those reported for peroral iron salt are malabsorption, poor adherence to treatment due to gastrointestinal adverse reactions, risks of oxidative stress, and iron overload ferroptosis.
The authors pointed out that referred polymorphism may result in potential toxic effects of unmetabolized folic acid and abnormal homocysteine clearance (risk factors for vascular disorders and B12-deficiency anemia masking).
Features on Quatrefolic® and Branded Micronized microencapsulated Iron
An innovative dietary supplement has been described in the article, with the active form of folate Quatrefolic®, already in the form of biologically active 5-MTHF (no metabolization required), and a microencapsulated micronized iron form, Lipofer® in a phospholipid coat which provides better absorption targeted iron delivery in tissues with minimization of adverse reaction risks.
The combination provides two high-tech molecules with an innovative way of correcting basic micronutrient requirements in women at high risk of developing iron and folate deficiency conditions.