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The pharmacokinetics of FA and [6S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) were examined to find a reliable and minimal dose for rapidly rescuing folate status prior to critical periods of embryonic development. Serum total folate increased much more rapidly over the first four days in insufficient women given 7.5\u2009mg doses of 5-MTHF than the same regimen of FA (P for trend &lt;0.0001). Nearly all women given 7.5\u2009mg 5-MTHF (every 12\u2009hours, five doses total) almost immediately reached 50\u2009nM serum total folate. Moreover, this level could be maintained by subsequent administration of 0.4\u2009mg\/d of folic acid. 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