Folate is in the news again: Trump's recent statements about Tylenol, Leucovorin, Wellcovorin and autism

Folate is in the news again: Trump's recent statements about Tylenol, Leucovorin, Wellcovorin and autism

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Katie Stone - Naturopath

Written By:

Katie Stone - Naturopath
Kari Asadorian - BSN, RN

Medical Reviewer:

Kari Asadorian - BSN, RN
Jamie Hope - Methyl-Life® Founder

Edited By:

Jamie Hope - Methyl-Life® Founder

Updated On:

September 25, 2025
Leucovorin for Autism? Source: YouTube.com

Folate is in the news again: Trump's recent statements about Tylenol, Leucovorin, Wellcovorin and autism

Folate is back in the spotlight - and not all claims are consistent with research. So, let’s look at what the science says.


Trump has claimed that using Tylenol (acetaminophen), especially during pregnancy, is linked to a “very increased risk” of autism. This claim is based on research that children with autism have genetic variations or autoimmune disorders that prevent folate from reaching the brain.


The Trump administration has announced that leucovorin (also known as L-5-formyl tetrahydrofolic acid or folinic acid, a less potent racemate form) will now be approved for treating cerebral folate deficiency in children with autism.

Trump himself said he was not citing scientific research: "You know, I'm just making these statements from me, not from these doctors..."

Tylenol, NAPQI and Glutathione

Tylenol is primarily metabolized in the liver through glucuronidation and sulfation. A small portion (5–10%) is converted into a reactive byproduct called NAPQI. Normally, glutathione (GSH) detoxifies NAPQI, preventing oxidative damage.1,2,3


When glutathione is low due to genetics, stress or environmental factors, NAPQI can accumulate. Low intracellular glutathione may:

  • Increase oxidative stress.
  • Reduce the body’s ability to support methylation and folate recycling.
  • Potentially contribute to developmental vulnerability during pregnancy.2,3,4


Research also shows that children with autism often have low glutathione levels, impaired redox balance and higher oxidative stress, highlighting the importance of supporting these pathways. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is one of the most effective ways to safely boost intracellular glutathione levels, and NACET (a more potent form of NAC) will soon be available through Methyl-Life®.4,5,6


Practical takeaway: Supporting glutathione and methylation pathways during pregnancy may help reduce oxidative stress for both mother and child.


Folate, Methylation, and Folate Receptor Considerations

  • Folate is critical for DNA synthesis, neurotransmitter production, methylation and detoxification.7
  • Folic acid, the synthetic form in most prenatals, requires conversion by DHFR and MTHFR enzymes. Individuals with either or both of these genetic variants may convert folic acid poorly.7
  • Folinic acid (Leucovorin) is a more active reduced folate that bypasses DHFR but not MTHFR. It may benefit individuals with cerebral folate deficiency or those who have folate receptor alpha autoantibodies (FRAAs).8,9
  • Cerebrofolate®, the most active bioidentical folate (methylfolate), bypasses both DHFR and MTHFR mutations entirely and is immediately available to support methylation, neurotransmitters, detoxification and oxidative stress pathways.2,7,10

This article is for educational purposes only and not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Key Takeaways

  • Icon Leucovorin is an active form of folate. It is one enzymatic conversion away from becoming the body’s active form of folate, methylfolate.
  • Icon Methylfolate is the most bioavailable form of folate. It requires no further conversion in the body, so it is immediately available to support neurotransmitter production, cognitive function, DNA/RNA synthesis, and cellular repair.
  • Icon Current research suggests that leucovorin is showing promise to improve symptoms of autism, but there are no definitive results yet.
  • Icon No existing or published studies have proven that Tylenol can be causatively associated with autism.
  • Icon The cause of autism is uncertain. Each case may be linked to genetics, nutrient deficiencies, environmental toxins and more.
  • Icon Methylation pathway disruptions are common in autism.
  • Icon Unlike folic acid or dietary folate, leucovorin can enter the brain via the reduced folate channel (RFC) rather than via folate receptor alpha (FRα). One study found that children with autism were 19 times more likely to have a folate ‘block’ than their non-autistic siblings.
  • Icon Several health organizations including the World Health Organization and the Autism Science Foundation, have stated that there is no scientific evidence to suggest Tylenol causes autism.
  • Icon Treating autism requires a customized, multi-factor approach, not a single intervention.
  • Icon Tylenol (acetaminophen) relies on glutathione to be safely metabolized; low glutathione levels in the body can increase oxidative stress and affect methylation and folate pathways, especially during pregnancy.
  • Icon Children on the autism spectrum often have lower glutathione levels and higher oxidative stress, highlighting the importance of supporting detoxification pathways.
  • Icon N-acetylcysteine (NAC/NACET) and bioactive methylfolate can help support glutathione levels, methylation and overall neurodevelopment.
  • Icon Supporting glutathione and folate pathways can proactively reduce oxidative stress and support healthy brain development.

What Trump Might Be Right About

  • Icon Folate deficiency has been implicated in autism. Folate plays a critical role in brain development in the fetus and during the first three years of life, when the brain changes more rapidly than at any other stage.
  • Icon Poor folate in both mother and baby at this time can impair normal neurodevelopment and has been linked to neurocognitive disorders such as autism.
  • Icon Supporting methylation and antioxidant pathways through bioactive methylfolate and glutathione-boosting nutrients like NAC or NACET may help reduce oxidative stress and support healthy neurodevelopment during pregnancy.

What Trump Didn’t Mention:

  • Icon The MTHFR genetic mutation impairs normal folate metabolism.
  • Icon Cerebral Folate Deficiency (CFD) is a very rare genetic condition (~1 in 1,000,000 individuals worldwide).
  • Icon Folate deficiency is common but not because of CFD. An estimated 40% of the population is affected by MTHFR gene mutations that can reduce their ability to convert dietary folate and folic acid into methylfolate.7,5
  • Icon Several studies have found associations between low folate levels and high homocysteine in children affected by autism.5,11
  • Icon Supporting methylation and antioxidant pathways with bioactive methylfolate and NAC or NACET can help reduce oxidative stress and support neurodevelopment, especially in individuals with MTHFR gene variants.2,4

Practical Takeaways for Families

  • Icon Low glutathione levels might be a reason to consider being careful with Tylenol or any other medication during pregnancy.1,7,12
  • Icon Supporting methylation and glutathione pathways can reduce stress on both mother and baby.
  • Icon Bioavailable methylfolate (Cerebrofolate®), and soon folinic acid as well as NAC/NACET, offer research-backed support for folate and glutathione pathways.
  • Icon Optimizing glutathione and folate pathways is a proactive approach to balanced wellness while research continues.1,2,5,6

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$42.00

Product Recommendations

Methylated Multivitamin 3-Product Pack - MTHFR Folate, Sublingual B12 + Cofactors - Methyl-Life® Supplements

Methylated Multivitamin 3-Product Pack - MTHFR Folate, Sublingual B12 + Cofactors

$96.00

  • Bioactive MTHFR Folate, Methylfolate, for Max Absorption
  • Sublingual B12 to Aid B12 Sufficiency via Active Hydroxy Form
  • 3rd-Party Tested for Purity, Potency & Safety
  • 90 Day Supply to Optimize Methylation Pathways

References

  1. Liu X., Oxidative Stress in Autism Spectrum Disorder—Current (review), 2022.

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8921264/

  2. Wijerathne C.U.B., 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Restores Glutathione (experimental), 2022.

    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9219715/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9219715/

  3. Bjørklund G., The role of glutathione redox imbalance in autism spectrum (review), 2020.

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0891584920311539

  4. Hardan AY et al., A randomized controlled pilot trial of oral N‑acetylcysteine in children with autism, 2012.

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22342106/

  5. Patricia Gail Williams; Glutathione, Vitamin C, and Cysteine Use in Autistic Children, 2025

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39960783/

  6. Kevser Nalbant, Semih Erden; Possible effects of N‑acetylcysteine in autism spectrum disorders, 2023

    https://turkjpediatr.org/article/view/93

  7. Maternal methyl donor supplementation during gestation counteracts oxidative stress in sows and offspring, 2017.

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29129240/

  8. Richard E Frye, Treatment of Folate Metabolism Abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorder, 2020.

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1071909120300462

  9. Frye RE et al., Clinical research on Leucovorin and folate receptor alpha autoantibodies (FRAAs), 2020

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1071909120300462

  10. Wijerathne C.U.B., 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate and oxidative stress, 2022.

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9219715/

  11. John F. Dou; Prenatal vitamin intake in the first month of pregnancy and DNA methylation in cord blood and placenta, 2022.

    https://epigeneticsandchromatin.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13072-022-00460-9

  12. Pham C., Maternal oxidative stress during pregnancy associated with offspring brain/behaviour (Nature review), 2023

    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-023-02284-9

Katie Stone - Naturopath

About the Author

Katie is a qualified Naturopath (BNatMed) and freelance writer from New Zealand. She specializes in all things health and wellness, particularly dietary supplements and nutrition. Katie is also a dedicated runner and has completed more half-marathons than she can count!

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