Why do some practitioners say to completely avoid supplementing with folate and folic acid? They say it's dangerous and harmful.

They'll say that if you have the MTHFR genetic mutation, then you should avoid folic acid at all costs. Because it's synthetic and your body will have trouble converting it into the active form of folate (methylfolate). So instead, you should just supplement with methylfolate. But it's not that simple. And the people that spread this nonsense also sell you MTHFR genetic testing and methylfolate supplements.

Here's the truth. Methylfolate is synthesized in the body by the MTHFR enzyme. That is definitely true. But here's what the "MTHFR gurus" completely ignore. MTHFR enzyme activity is dependent on adequate levels of Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide. If your body is producing an adequate amount of Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide, the MTHFR enzyme functions normally. And folic acid is not a problem at all. Then you can supplement with folic acid. Because your body will easily convert it into methylfolate. This is true even if you have the dreaded MTHFR genetic mutation that the MTHFR gurus scare you about.

Yet instead of addressing and fixing the root problem (low Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide), many naturopaths and functional practitioners will simply recommend you supplement with methylfolate. That's what I call a band-aid approach. They are not actually getting to the root cause. And then the MTHFR supplement companies are very happy that you believe and buy into this "folic acid myth".  Because they make a lot of money selling you their methylfolate supplements. But they're all misinforming and misleading you, and spreading a half-truth. They totally ignore that you need adequate Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide for the MTHFR enzyme to work, and that supplementing with methylfolate is definitely not the best way to deal with your MTHFR mutation. Instead, you should be focusing on producing an adequate amount of Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide, not simply popping a methylfolate supplement.