Question 1

What is the role of folate in fertility for women?

Accepted Answer

Folate supports healthy cell division, DNA production, and the formation of the neural tube in early pregnancy. Adequate levels are linked to normal ovarian function, supporting egg development, proper embryo development, and a reduced risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida, making it an important nutrient for women who are trying to conceive.

Question 2

Why is folate important during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Folate is recommended for reducing the risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida in the developing foetus and also supports overall growth and development.

Question 3

Can taking folate reduce the risk of miscarriage?

Accepted Answer

Miscarriage is complex and can happen for many different reasons, most of which are outside anyone's control. Some studies have looked at whether folate levels play a role, but there is currently no evidence based way to prevent miscarriage through supplements.

What we do know is that folate contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy. The NHS also recommends taking 400µg of folic acid daily from before you conceive until 12 weeks of pregnancy, to help reduce the risk of neural tube defects.

Question 4

Does folate help prevent neural tube defects?

Accepted Answer

Supplemental folate intake increases maternal folate status. Low maternal folate status is a risk factor in the development of neural tube defects in the developing foetus. The beneficial effect is obtained with a supplemental folate intake of 400µg daily for at least one month before and up to three months after conception.

Adequate folate intake helps cells divide and replicate efficiently during this period. The NHS recommends taking 400µg of folic acid daily from before you conceive until 12 weeks of pregnancy, to help reduce the risk of neural tube defects, which can occur when the tube fails to close completely.

Zita West's Folate supplement uses Quatrefolic®, a form of folate already in its active form, which the body can use directly without needing to convert it first.

Question 5

What are the risks of folate deficiency in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Folate deficiency during pregnancy can lead to several important health risks for both mother and baby, including:

• Neural tube defects (NTDs): such as spina bifida or anencephaly, which occur in the first few weeks of pregnancy.
• Maternal anaemia: due to impaired red blood cell formation.
• Poor foetal growth: linked to reduced cell division and DNA synthesis.

Because neural tube development occurs very early, often before many women know they're pregnant, maintaining adequate folate levels before conception is important. Folate also contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy.

Question 6

Can folate supplements be safely taken while breastfeeding?

Accepted Answer

Yes, folate continues to play an important role after birth and can be safely taken while breastfeeding. Folate supports:

• Ongoing maternal recovery after delivery
• Healthy red blood cell formation
• Normal cell division, relevant as your body recovers and your baby grows

During lactation, daily requirements may increase slightly. Continuing with a 400µg folate supplement helps maintain sufficient levels for both mother and baby throughout the postnatal period.

Question 7

Why take a folate supplement?

Accepted Answer

The NHS recommends taking a folic acid supplement throughout fertility and pregnancy. We recommend folate over folic acid because it’s already in its active form. That’s why we use Quatrefolic®, a clinically researched, highly absorbable folate.

Research suggests that folate may support ovarian function, including for those undergoing fertility treatment. Adequate folate levels have also been studied in relation to embryo quality, which is a key factor for successful implantation and a healthy pregnancy.

During pregnancy, it helps prevent neural tube defects in the developing baby.

In men, folate contributes to the normal production and maintenance of sperm. Folate also plays a role in the creation and repair of DNA. Therefore, it contributes to the genetic quality of the sperm, which is crucial for a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Supplementing with folate ensures your body receives a form it can readily absorb, especially important if you have difficulty converting synthetic folic acid. Folate is vital for supporting healthy egg and sperm development, DNA production, and embryo growth. Many diets fall short of providing the recommended daily intake, making supplementation a reliable way to meet your needs at key reproductive stages.

Question 8

What is the difference between folic acid and folate?

Accepted Answer

Folic acid and folate are both forms of vitamin B9, but there are important differences between the two.

Folic acid: This is the synthetic form of vitamin B9 found in most standard supplements and fortified foods. While it is effective in raising folate levels in the blood, it must be converted in the liver into the active form of folate in multiple steps. Some people have a genetic variation (such as MTHFR) that makes this conversion less efficient.

Folate: This is the naturally occurring form of vitamin B9, found in foods like leafy greens, legumes, and fruits. Food folate is an important part of a healthy diet, although it is generally less well absorbed than folic acid and can be lost during cooking.

That's why we use Quatrefolic®, a form of folate that is already in its active form, 5-MTHF. Because it doesn't require the same conversion process as folic acid, the body can use it directly, making it a preferred option, particularly for those with a reduced ability to convert folic acid into its active form due to genetic factors.

Question 9

Are folate and B12 the same thing?

Accepted Answer

No. Folate (vitamin B9) and vitamin B12 are two different but closely related nutrients. Both support red blood cell production, DNA synthesis, and neurological function. They often work together, especially in fertility and pregnancy, which is why deficiencies in one can sometimes affect the other.

Question 10

Can men take folate for fertility?

Accepted Answer

Yes, folate may be beneficial for men who are looking to improve their fertility. Folate plays a role in sperm development and DNA integrity. Low folate levels have been linked to poor sperm quality and increased DNA fragmentation, which can affect fertilisation and embryo development.

Question 11

Is there a specific amount of folate recommended for those trying to conceive?

Accepted Answer

The NHS recommends taking 400μg of Folic Acid per day from before you conceive until 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Question 12

How long before trying to conceive should one start taking folate?

Accepted Answer

We recommend taking any fertility supplement for at least 3 months when trying to conceive, as eggs take around 90 days to mature and sperm take around 74 days to develop.

Question 13

What foods are rich in natural folate during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Natural folate is found in a variety of everyday foods, particularly those of plant origin. Excellent dietary sources include:

• Leafy green vegetables: such as spinach, kale, and romaine lettuce
• Legumes: including lentils, chickpeas, and black beans
• Fruits: like oranges, grapefruit, and berries
• Avocado: a good source of folate and healthy fats
• Asparagus, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts: particularly rich in folate
• Eggs: small amounts contribute to overall intake
• Fortified foods: such as breakfast cereals and bread (in some regions)

Including a wide range of these foods helps support your body's natural folate levels during preconception and pregnancy.

Question 14

Can I get enough folate from my diet during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

While folate is present in various foods, it may be challenging to get the required 400μg per day through diet alone. The NHS recommends supplements to ensure adequate intake.

Question 15

What is folate?

Accepted Answer

Folate is the naturally occurring form of vitamin B9. It plays a crucial role in DNA synthesis, cell division, and the formation of red blood cells.

Unlike synthetic folic acid, the active form of folate, 5-MTHF (such as Quatrefolic®), is immediately usable by the body and does not require complex conversion. Folate is especially important during periods of rapid growth, such as preconception, pregnancy, and early development. Learn more about the differences between folic acid and folate here.

Question 16

Can I take Folate alongside Vitafem?

Accepted Answer

Vitafem already contains 400µg Active Folate (Quatrefolic®), the NHS recommended amount, so most women don't need extra. If you have been advised to take more, adding Folate gives you 800µg per day. If your GP has prescribed a higher dose, follow their advice.

Question 17

What is the MTHFR gene variant and does it affect my Folate needs?

Accepted Answer

The MTHFR gene makes an enzyme that converts Folic Acid into active Folate. A significant proportion of the population carry a common variation in this gene, which lowers the enzyme's activity and reduces how efficiently they convert Folic Acid.

Quatrefolic® is already in the active form, so it does not need converting by the MTHFR enzyme.

Quatrefolic® is already in the active form, so it does not need converting by the MTHFR enzyme.

Question 18

Are these capsules easy to swallow?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the capsules are designed for daily use and should be taken with water.

Question 19

How does the Zita West subscription work?

Accepted Answer

When you subscribe to any eligible product, you save on every order. Subscriptions are managed through your account, where you can update your delivery frequency, swap, or cancel at any time. Subscribing is a convenient way to maintain a consistent supplement routine, which matters when you are supporting your fertility or pregnancy over a three-month period or longer.

Question 20

Do you offer free UK delivery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer free standard delivery on all UK orders over £60. Orders under £60 are charged at £4.95. You can see all available delivery options and charges at checkout before you place your order.

Question 21

How long will my UK order take to arrive?

Accepted Answer

UK orders are usually dispatched within 24 hours of being placed. Once dispatched, standard delivery typically takes 1 to 3 working days.

Question 22

Do you ship internationally?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we ship to many countries worldwide, including the EU, USA, Canada, and further afield. International delivery timescales and charges vary by destination and are shown at checkout. EU customers should be aware that some orders may be subject to additional customs checks, which can occasionally cause delays. For any queries about international delivery, contact our customer service team at customerservice@zitawestproducts.co.uk.

Question 23

Will my order arrive in discreet packaging?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All orders are dispatched in plain, unmarked outer packaging with no reference to Zita West on the outside. The only brand reference is on the packing slip included inside the parcel.

Question 24

Are Zita West supplements third-party tested?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our supplements undergo independent third-party testing, and batch certificates are available on our website so you can check the quality and purity of every batch we produce. We believe that transparency around testing is part of what it means to be a supplement brand you can trust.

Question 25

Are there other ways to save on my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In addition to the subscription discount, you can save when buying product bundles, or mix and match three or more individual supplements for a 10% saving.

Question 26

Can I change my delivery date, swap, or cancel my subscription?

Accepted Answer

You can manage your subscription by logging into your Zita West account and selecting Subscriptions. From there you can update your next delivery date, delay an upcoming order, swap to a different product, or cancel at any time. If you need a hand with any of these, get in touch with our customer service team at customerservice@zitawestproducts.co.uk or call 01280 707400 and we will be happy to help.