L-Methylfolate (5-MTHF): Your Must-Read Beginner’s Guide

[Last updated 14th October, 2021]

Folate and folic acid are nutrients required for many critical functions in the body.

Unfortunately, many who have a genetic MTHFR mutation are unable to utilise these nutrients properly.

L-Methylfolate (5-MTHF) has emerged as a popular alternative, and has been used as a complementary medicine in several recent clinical trials.

This article covers what you need to know about it, but explained in human terms.

What is L-Methylfolate (5-MTHF)?

L-methylfolate is the biologically active form of vitamin B9.

That means it is the form the human body can actually use in circulation.

It goes by several other common names including:

• Methylfolate
• L-Methylfolate calcium (refers to the calcium salt molecule it is attached to)
• Metafolin and Deplin
• 5-MTHF and L-5-MTHF (in this article 5-MTHF refers to L-5-MTHF)
• Levomefolic acid
• 5-methyltetrahydrofolate
• (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate and Quatrefolic.

The letters or numbers before the name refers to the 3D chemical structure of that compound.

In this case all you need to know is that L- and 6(S)- indicates biologically active L-Methylfolate (helpful). D- and 6(R)- indicate non-biologically active L-Methylfolate (not helpful).

Some products may only list Methylfolate or 5-MTHF, without specifying if which form it contains. If the label does not state L-Methylfolate, Metafolin or Quartrefolic then it may not be the biologically active form.

Summary: L-Methylfolate, also commonly known as 5-MTHF, is the active form of vitamin B9 the human body can actually use. L- and 6(S)- forms are biologically active, while D- and 6(R)- are not.

L-Methylfolate vs Folic Acid v Folate

The other forms of vitamin B9 you should know are folic acid and folate.

These are the forms we eat, although L-methylfolate is also found naturally in some high-folate food too.

Folate is often called the natural form of vitamin B9, but it actually refers to a family of different compound that occur naturally in some vegetables.

Folic acid is the supplemental or “synthetic” form of vitamin B9 and is typically the first line of treatment for folate deficiency and related health conditions, such as high homocysteine and Neural Tube Defects (1, 2).

In fact, it has been so beneficial for the general population that the addition (fortification) of folic acid to wheat flour is now mandatory in Australia, USA, Canada and several other countries (3).

But note that folic acid is also found naturally in foods, as it is just another compound of folate.

Any folic acid we ingest must be metabolised (converted) into Dihydrofolate (DHF), Tetrahydrofolate (THF), and then finally into L-methylfolate (5-MTHF) to be used in the body. Once in this form it can be transported into cells, tissues and even across the blood-brain barrier.

This is what they look like alongside each other… you can see they are almost identical:

Image source.

But issues can arise during metabolism for those with an enzyme issue, such as an MTHFR mutation.

These individuals cannot complete the final metabolic step that converts folic acid to the active form L-methylfolate (5-MTHF) (4).

Note that the last step (the last black arrow) requires the MTHFR enzyme and Vitamin B2 to convert 5,10 methylene-THF to L-methylfolate.

This leaves folic acid supplements somewhat useless to you and potentially harmful in the long run (5).

Summary: Any folic acid or folate we ingest must be converted into its active form (L-methylfolate) to be useful. However this becomes a problem if you cannot do this conversion effectively, such as those with an MTHFR mutation.

Benefits of L-Methylfolate (5-MTHF)

Supplementing with L-methylfolate bypasses the entire folic acid metabolism cycle, which is good news if you have an MTHFR mutation.

Think of it like receiving a cooked meal instead of all the raw ingredients. An MTHFR mutation is equal to not having the pots and pans to cook with.

Studies show that L-Methyfolate supplementation is equally (if not more) effective than folic acid for increasing circulating folate in those with an MTHFR mutation. It is also highly effective at reducing homocysteine levels in healthy people (6, 7).

It is also better absorbed and interacts with fewer medications than folic acid (8).

Summary: Research shows it is just as effective as folic acid, if not better absorbed and tolerated.

What should I eat with an MTHFR mutation?

Get your free guide here:

What should I eat with an MTHFR mutation?

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GUIDE NOW

L-Methylfolate During Pregnancy

Active folic acid is highly protective against Neural Tube Defects.

This is why all national and international health organisations advocate for folic acid supplementation before and during early pregnancy.

For those who do not metabolise folic acid well, supplementing L-Methylfolate is the clear alternative while pregnant. Especially if you have a homozygous C677T or A1298C mutation, which is thought to increase your folate requirements even more.

The link with miscarriage

Understanding why miscarriage occurs at all is still an active area of research.

Many large observational studies have found a link between MTHFR mutations and increased risk of miscarriage, at least for those of Asian decent (9, 10).

Not all studies found the link, and observational studies do not prove cause and effect, so we cannot say if it’s true for certain. Considering the important role of active folate in fetal growth and development, ensuring adequate L-Methyfolate intake should be your top priority.

Summary: Supplementing with L-Methylfolate while pregnant is the clear alternative for those who suspect an issue with metabolising folic acid.

Other L-Methylfolate Benefits

There are several other areas of health where it has been trialled or used successfully in treatment:

L-Methylfolate (5-MTHF) in depression

L-methylfolate is becoming widely recognised as an effective complementary medicine for patients with severe depression. That is, using it alongside pharmaceutical drugs (SSRI) to enhance the overall effectiveness of treatment (much like fish oil and depression).

Several randomised clinical trials have shown that 15 mg/day of L-methylfolate calcium is a safe, effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with major depressive disorder who experience partial or no response to SSRIs (11, 12).

It appears to be particular effective in those with certain genetic variations (including MTHFR) and those with elevated inflammatory markers (13, 14).

L-Methyfolate (5-MTHF) in patients with diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is nerve disorder that develops over time in those with poorly managed type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

In a recent study, 544 patients with diabetic neuropathy were given Metanx (L-methylfolate-methylcobalamin-pyridoxal-5-phosphate) to trial for over a year. Based on self-reported surveys, overall pain rating decreased by 32% those previously treated with medications reported a 52% improvement in medication satisfaction (15).

Metanx is a combination vitamin B supplement, so this study did not test the effects of L-methylfolate on its own.

Summary: Early studies show L-Methylfolate supplementation may be beneficial in treating severe depression and diabetic neuropathy.

Important Considerations and Side-Effects of L-Methylfolate

There are several important factors to consider before starting L-methylfolate (5-MTHF).

• Supplementing L-methylfolate bypasses the body’s natural checkpoints for preventing over-methylation. So we must be incredibly cautious with the dosage, as unnatural levels of folate is linked with several issues including cancer risk (16, 17, 18).
• As with almost any supplement, this is not something you should take forever. Nor even everyday in most cases, but rather as a complementary medicine prescribed by your doctor. L-methylfolate also exists naturally in foods, so that should be your preferred source.
• Your vitamin B levels – particularly vitamin B12 (cobalamin) – must be adequate before taking L-methylfolate. Otherwise homocysteine (not good) cannot be broken down and transformed, even with adequate folate. Think of L-methylfolate as the fire, and vitamin B12 as the firewood.
• Minimise intake of folic acid. That means store-bought bread and anything else made with fortified wheat flour.
• L-methylfolate (or any other form of vitamin B9 supplementation) can interact with numerous drugs and medications, so be sure to speak with your doctor first.
• If you have been diagnosed with depression, you must first be screened for risk of bipolar disorder. Folate can enhance antidepressant effects of known antidepressant drugs, and is believed (although not clinically proven) to potentially trigger mixed/manic episodes in those with bipolar.

Potential side effects

As with any biologically active supplement or drug, certain people may experience unwanted side effects.

Unfortunately it is quite common with L-Methylfolate.

These are the most common symptoms and may appear after 2 weeks, 1 week, or even 1 day:

• sore muscles and aches
• acne or rash
• insomnia and irritability
• severe anxiety
• nausea, headaches and migraines

If you experience this then you should speak with your doctor as soon as possible to reduce the dose or take a break. Persistent supplementation through symptoms can be dangerous.

There are also reported steps you can take to relieve some of the L-methylfolate side effects. This includes a small 10-50 mg dose of niacin, or a glutathione supplement (which I’m sceptical actually helps).

Additionally, the idea of taking more supplements to offset side effects of another is the same as taking more pharmaceutical drugs to offset the side effects of another drug.

Summary: There a very important factors to consider before taking L-methylfolate. Side-effects are also common and potentially dangerous if you do not address the problem immediately.

Recommended L-Methylfolate Dosage and Product

The FDA and European Food Standards Agency have approved L-methylfolate (5-MTHF) calcium supplements (16).

It can be obtained with or without prescription, but for non-prescribed supplements ensure the label specifies the amount of active L-methylfolate.

Prescription folate is available in 7 mg and 15 mg dosages which is very high. Unless recommended by your doctor, starting at less than 1 mg (1000 mcg) and then re-assessing is much more sensible if you are using because of an MTHFR mutation. 500 mcg (0.5 mg) or less appears to be the safest starting point.

If this is you, I recommend this supplement (disclosure: this is an affiliate link). The reason is because it contains 800 mcg of L-methylfolate (start with half) plus 1 milligram of vitamin B12 per pill.

It is also gluten, dairy and soy-free for those concerned, but always check with your doctor before taking any new supplements.

Again, there are a lot of risks associated with L-methylfolate supplementation, and it’s not recommended as a long-term solution.

You can get L-methylfolate from natural foods too.

More on MTHFR and other genetic variations

L-Methylfolate, Methylfolate, 5-MTHF, L-5-MTHF. Why many variations?

L-methylfolate has many different names which adds to confusion.

Those with MTHFR mutations scan labels, read websites or listen to their doctors rattle of conflicting terms for a nutrient they really need.

Update June 26, 2019:

Note how the label below illustrates:
Folate (this is where you need to pay attention – inside the paranthesis).

See how it shows (as Quatrefolic (6S) etc)?

That is the best form of methylfolate.

This is what you want.

I used to use Merck’s L-5-MTHF from calcium but I switched to Gnosis.

—

Be careful about other types of L-methylfolate are out there.

There are quite a few.

Understanding which form of methylfolate is best must be clear.

Why all the confusion?

Because there are so many different terms used for methylfolate.

By the end, you will understand everything you need to know about methylfolate.

More significantly – you will understand how to pick the right form of methylfolate.

Terms often used for methylfolate are:

• Methylfolate
• L-MTHF
• L-Methylfolate
• L-Methylfolate Calcium
• D-Methylfolate
• D-5-Methylfolate
• Levomefolic Acid
• Metafolin
• 5-MTHF
• 5-Methylfolate
• 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate
• L-5-MTHF
• L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate
• 6(S)-5-MTHF
• 6(S)-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate
• 6(R)-5-MTHF
• 6(R)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate
• Quatrefolic (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate
• Quatrefolic

Are these forms of methylfolate all the same?
No.

Are any of these forms of methylfolate the same?
Yes. The same forms are grouped together here. These forms are synonymous with each other:

1. L-5-MTHF = L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate = 6(S)-L-MTHF = 6(S)-L-Methyltetrahydrofolate
   • Good forms which are well absorbed
2. L-Methylfolate Calcium = Metafolin = Levomefolic Acid
   • Good forms which are all well absorbed
3. D-5-MTHF = D-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate = 6(R)-L-MTHF = 6(R)-L-Methyltetrahydrofolate
   • Avoid these (learn why soon…)

Then what are the other forms of methylfolate?

The other forms of methylfolate may or may not be 99% pure biologically active methylfolate.

• 5-MTHF
• 5-Methylfolate
• 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate

How come these may or may not be 99% pure biologically active methylfolate?
These forms do not specify the L form (or 6(S) form) of methylfolate; therefore, you do not know what you are ingesting.

The forms of methylfolate not specifying L or 6(S) likely contain more than 1% of the D form of methylfolate.

What is the difference between D and L forms of Methylfolate?
In organic chemistry, one learns compounds may have the exact same molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms but differ three dimensionally. These compounds are known as steroisomers.[1]

There are two common forms of sterioisomers:

1. Enantiomers:
   • mirror images of each other, such as our hands.
   • same physical properties
   • may have different biological effects
2. Diastereoisomers:
   • not mirror images of each other
   • rarely have same physical properties
   • have different biological effects

Methylfolate has stereoisomers in the form of diastereoisomers.

The forms of methylfolate that are biologically active are:

• L forms
• 6(S) forms
• L-5 forms
• Metafolin
• L-Methylfolate Calcium
• Levomefolic Acid
• Quatrefolic

The forms of methylfolate that are NOT biologically active are:

The forms of methylfolate that may or may not be biologically active are the:

• forms which do not specify L, 6(S) or trademarked name of Metafolin
• 5-MTHF
• 5-methylfolate
• 5-methyltetrahydrofolate

From the package insert of Metanx, a prescription drug using biologically active Metafolin[2]:
“L-methylfolate or 6(S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate [6(S)-5-MTHF], is the primary biologically active diastereoisomer of folate and the primary form of folate in circulation.  It is also the form which is transported across membranes into peripheral tissues, particularly across the blood brain barrier. In the cell, 6(S)-5-MTHF is used in the methylation of homocysteine to form methionine and tetrahydrofolate (THF). THF is the immediate acceptor of one carbon units for the synthesis of thymidine-DNA, purines (RNA and DNA) and methionine. About 70% of food folate and cellular folate is comprised of 6(S)-5-MTHF. Folic acid, the synthetic form of folate, must undergo enzymatic reduction by methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) to become biologically active. Genetic mutations of MTHFR result in a cell’s inability to convert folic acid to 6(S)-5-MTHF.

Metafolin® (L-methylfolate calcium) is a substantially diastereoisomerically pure source of L-methylfolate containing not more than 1% D-methylfolate which results in not more than 0.03 milligrams of D-methylfolate in Metanx^®

D-methylfolate or 6(R)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate [6(R)-5-MTHF] is the other diastereoisomer of folate. Studies administering doses of 2.5 mg per day or higher resulted in plasma protein binding of D-methylfolate higher than L-methylfolate causing a significantly higher renal clearance of L-methylfolate when compared to D-methylfolate. Further, D-methylfolate is found to be stored in tissues in the body, mainly in the liver. D-methylfolate is not metabolized by the body and has been hypothesized to inhibit regulatory enzymes related to folate and homocysteine metabolism and reduces the bioavailability of L-methylfolate.”

Example of why all this is important to know
A supplement company has a supplement called, “5-MTHF”

Let’s say this supplement states it contains 10 mg of 5-MTHF.

One assumes this contains 10 mg of biologically active L-methylfolate.

Don’t assume.

The likelihood of it containing 99% of the biologically active form of L-methylfolate is slim to none.

Why?

Prescription drugs such as Deplin contain 99% active L-methylfolate as Metafolin. Deplin provides two potencies of L-methylfolate: 7.5 mg and a 15 mg

This much L-methylfolate is VERY potent and must be prescribed by a physician.

Merck does not allow any supplement company to provide more than 1 mg of their L-methylfolate in a stand-alone supplement. If L-methylfolate, as Metafolin, is included in a formula along with other nutrients, then a maximum of 800 mcg is allowed.

What amount of this 10 gram 5-MTHF supplement actually contains the biologically active L-methylfolate?
It is not known without requesting a lab report.

The likelihood of it containing a significant amount of the inactive D form of methylfolate is high.

Remember, the D form of methylfolate is undesirable and actually may reduce the bioavailability of L-methylfolate.

What to do?
Two things:

1. Request a prescription from their physician to obtain drugs containing Metafolin.
2. Look for supplements specifying the amount of active L-methylfolate.

Drugs containing Metafolin are:

• Metanx
• Deplin
• Cerefolin
• CerefolinNAC
• Neevo
• NeevoDHA

Supplements with Methylfolate
One must carefully evaluate supplements specifying the use of Metafolin, Quatrefolic or the L form.

If the supplement does not specify on the label that it uses Metafolin, Quartrefolic or the L form of methylfolate, then it is not recommended to use without first inquiring directly to the manufacturer. A manufacturer may have named their product as 5-MTHF and use the pure L form of methylfolate; however, one must inquire to be certain.

Quatrefolic: What is this?
This is a new form of methylfolate that uses glucosamine instead of calcium to bind the L-methylfolate. Quatrefolic is also a quality form of L-methylfolate.

This is the form of methylfolate that I use in all my formulations.

Key Points about Methylfolate:

1. Not all methylfolate is the same
2. The D form of methylfolate actually is undesired and should be avoided
3. The L form of methylfolate is the desired form
4. There are many names for the same thing. Understand them.

___________________

Supplements using the pure form of L-Methylfolate

Seeking Health uses purely the L-methylfolate as Quatrefolic by Gnosis.

You may find over-the-counter L-methylfolate here in these select Seeking Health supplements.

by Dr. Ben Lynch on April 5, 2012 in MTHFR Mutations

Methylfolate and Resistant Depression | Psychology Today

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Methylfolate is one of a handful of supplements with better quality data showing it could be useful as a possible adjunct treatment for major depressive disorder in addition to standard treatment. This special form of folic acid (or vitamin B9) can be carried through the blood-brain barrier and used for all sorts of goodies we need, such as neurotransmitters, DNA, and cellular detoxification.

Synthetic folic acid from supplements or its form in the food we eat has to be metabolized, but taking methylfolate will bypass any inefficiency that comes from genetics or medications that inhibit folate metabolism, so that you can ensure your brain gets the type of folate it needs. Up to 70% of folks with depressive illness have this genetic inefficiency of folate metabolism, at least in a European population (1). The brain could potentially work better with methylfolate supplements, and medicines (such as antidepressants) that need folate in the brain to work could potentially be more effective.

At least that’s the idea that researchers have looked into and supplement makers have bet quite a bit of money on. When it comes to randomized controlled trials on methylfolate and depression, we now have a collection. These studies are for adjunctive treatment, meaning added to antidepressants, often in populations resistant to depression. Acute side effects in the controlled and observed trials seem to be minimal, which is always good news (anecdotally some people report irritability**). When you sort out the data, a couple findings have popped up more than once:

• Methylfolate can be helpful, but not generally in doses below 15 mg.
• Methylfolate seems to be especially helpful in obese patients.

Both of these findings are a bit surprising. First off, 15 mg is a massive dose of folate. It’s over 35 times the recommended daily allowance. I asked a prominent psychiatry researcher why the makers of methylfolate supplements settled on 15 mg even before a lot of the data came in supporting the higher dose, and he told me that earlier studies of folate in humans of up to 50 mg a day seemed to be safe at least in the short term, and higher doses such 7.5 mg and 15 mg would maximize the amount that goes through the blood-brain barrier. Folates are water-soluble vitamins, so it is generally thought that in the worst case, if you have too much methylfolate, you will end up with expensively supplemented urine.

But let’s not be too glib. There are three major safety concerns about high-dose folate supplementation. First, as folate helps cells to divide, there’s some worry that massive doses of folate can increase risk of colon cancer, which is controversial. However, colon cancer patients treated with anti-folate chemotherapy use advanced folate metabolites such as folinic acid to keep folks from experiencing the serious effects of folate deficiency caused by the chemo. Since methylfolate is further along the metabolic pathway than folinic acid, the risks of methylfolate may be lower.

Second, folic acid competes with methylfolate at folate receptors, so a high amount of folic acid floating around in the bloodstream may reduce the amount of methylfolate in the brain. Imagine a crowd of people in yellow jackets (methylfolate) trying to get into an elevator, but you flood the hallway with people in blue jackets (folic acid) trying to get on the same elevator … you effectively reduce the ability of the yellow-jacketed folks to get a ride on the elevator. By supplementing with the “advanced” form, methylfolate rather than plain old folic acid, you bypass this problem.

Third, both folate and B12 deficiency cause the same type of megaloblastic anemia, and folic acid supplementation can effectively “mask” this anemia by shrinking the blood cells back to normal and lead to untreated B12 deficiency. In modern times, B12 levels can be measured directly (and should be if you have a diagnosed depression) and there are other symptoms of B12 deficiency besides megaloblastic anemia, so I don’t consider this much of an issue, but if you are concerned about taking high dose methylfolate, ask your doctor to measure your B12.

Now that we have the major safety questions out of the way, let’s go back to methylfolate used as an adjunct for treatment of depression. Methylfolate at prescription dosage comes in 7.5 mg and 15 mg forms from places like Brand Direct Health and Methylpro, and it is pricey. The 7.5 mg form failed to separate from placebo in adjunctive depression treatment, but 15 mg has worked. It’s also been shown to decrease unhealthy metabolic markers and improve depression in folks who are for reasons of genetics less efficient in making methylfolate from folic acid.

Also, 15 mg of methylfolate seems to help folks with resistant depression who are also obese. Follow up studies show reductions in inflammatory metabolic markers, which suggests the methylfolate is doing what folates are supposed to do, help cell machinery clean up after the messy cellular engines do their thing making energy for the cells.

Depression Essential Reads

Finally, a very important issue is raised by the success of methylfolate for adjunctive treatment of depression and the tests for inefficient MTHFR alleles. Genetic testing (usually including MTHFR c677t and sometimes MTHFR a1298c, along with what sorts of liver enzymes you have to metabolize psychiatric meds and measures of what type of serotonin reuptake transporter promoters you have) is now available and marketed to psychiatrists to ostensibly help them design personalized medication treatment plans for patients. This genetic testing is now paid for by Medicare and the VA, but I’ve seen skeptics and fellow psychiatrists call all genetic testing “quackery” at the worst or “not yet ready for prime time” to show gentle displeasure at the marketing and enthusiasm that has come with these tests. Personally, I have found the tests useful in certain situations (usually resistant depression or repeated weird side effects) with careful acknowledgment of the caveats and unknowns.

MTHFR c667t is just one gene in a long circle of interdependent genes that are translated into the enzymes that are part of the folate cycle, which we saw in the last post. It may be the most important and the most studied gene, but a lot of other stuff has to be working efficiently** for us to make methylfolate. Second, some of the interactions of psychiatric medications and the genetic findings (particularly of the serotonin reuptake transporter promoter region gene) seem to be applicable only to certain ethnic groups, and more studies need to be done to see if it can be generalized to everyone. Thirdly, just because you metabolize a medication poorly doesn’t mean it won’t work, you just have to be careful about the dosing, and the reverse is also true. Giving folks lists of medicines they metabolize normally or poorly may cause some people to cross some meds off the list that may well be inexpensive and effective.

With those caveats (i.e., the genetic testing is not a rosetta stone but rather a somewhat limited tool), I’ve found it to be extremely helpful in the following instances: people with rarer and unusually poor metabolism of medications and homozygous MTHFR c677t (meaning the person has very inefficient processing of folic acid into methylfolate). We’ll have to wait for more data and understanding of the genetic interactions before these tests become solidly mainstream. Genetics tells us some things, and at this point we don’t know how all the combinations of all the alleles interact in the vastly complicated folate cycle, leading folks like Walsh to lean more towards measuring metabolites than using genetics to see how metabolism is actually working.**

*For the purposes of this article, “folic acid” is the common supplement in multivitamins and added to grains in many countries.“Folinic acid” and “methylfolate” are also specific forms of folate that are metabolites of folic acid. “Folate” refers in general to folic acid and its various metabolites.

**I know some of you have read Walsh and/or Yasko, who take a much bigger view of folate, the folate cycle, and genetics, particularly since Walsh warns against high-dose methylfolate for certain conditions. That’s an upcoming post, and I do want to say upfront that Walsh and Yasko are not mainstream, and the complexity of the system, the genetics, and the number of supplements they recommend have not been systematically studied in straight-up head-to-head supplement vs. placebo as methylfolate has. I do get a lot of questions about Walsh/Yasko, so I will give you my opinions in the next post.

Copyright Emily Deans, M.D.

When Antidepressants Aren’t Enough – Daily Dose

Most people with depression feel much better after taking SSRI drugs like Prozac, Paxil or Zoloft, but about one-third of sufferers don’t improve enough (or at all). Fortunately, there are a host of other things you can try, such as talk therapy and exercise, including yoga. You may have also heard about add-on medications like Abilify and Seroquel XR, which can be taken in combo with an SSRI to give it an extra “boost.” But you might not have heard about Deplin.

Deplin capsules contain L-methylfolate, a form of folic acid. For years experts have known that folic acid deficiency is associated with certain forms of depression, but just taking a regular folic acid supplement or eating more folate-rich vegetables like spinach might not do the trick. “L-methylfolate is the only form of folic acid that can cross the blood-brain barrier. Some people don’t have a problem converting folic acid into L-methylfolate, but others do. If someone with depression has a problem with this conversion, then she’d be better off taking Deplin instead of taking a folic acid supplement or getting more folate from vegetables,” says John Zajecka, MD, associate professor of psychiatry and director of the Woman’s Board Depression Treatment Research Center at Rush University in Chicago.

How effective is Deplin? A few studies, including a soon-to-be published one led by Dr. Zajecka, have shown that people with depression improved more while taking Deplin plus an SSRI (compared to an SSRI alone). Another study, published in in the journal Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, also found that it helped, but the study was relatively small (less than 250 patients). So more studies will probably need to be done to confirm these benefits.

In the meantime, there probably isn’t much harm to giving Deplin a try if your doctor thinks you’re a good candidate for it. Deplin isn’t technically a drug but a prescription medical food, and side effects are unlikely. A medical food, according to the FDA, is formulated to be consumed or administered “for the specific dietary management of a disease or condition for which distinctive nutritional requirements, based on recognized scientific principles, are established by medical evaluation.”

You can learn more about Deplin (from the manufacturer) at deplin.com.

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China High quality methyltetrahydrofolate calcium manufacturers, suppliers – Factory Direct Price

Description

Product Instruction

◆ Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium, L-methylfolate is a biologically active form of vitamin B9. This means that this shape of the human body can actually be used in circulation.

◆ It goes by several other common names, including:

Methylfolate

L-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid (refers to the calcium salt molecule it is attached to)

Metafolin and Deplin

5-MTHF and L-5 -MTHF (in this article, 5-MTHF refers to L-5-MTHF)

Levomefolic acid

5-methyltetrahydrofolate

(6S) -5-methyltetrahydrofolate and quatrefolate

◆ L-5-methyltetra 5-MTHF) is a new type of folate medicine that is gradually being applied to medicines and foods.Nowadays, this ingredient has become a new type of vitamin health product in the international market. It can be used as a dietary supplement and the main ingredient in some food and health products, without any side effects, but also has good efficacy and function.

◆ This ingredient has become a multifunctional medicine with treatment, health care and prevention. It can participate in the metabolism of amino acids and the biosynthesis of nucleotides. It is a type of essential organic matter that supports the normal life process of the body.Folic acid has the function of preventing tumors, megaloblastic anemia, neural tube defects, and cardiovascular disease.

Specification of Calcium L-Methyltetrahydrofolate USP

900

9005

–

Propanol ≤0.5%

9005

90 059

Enephytes

◆ Serious Depressive Disorder

Preliminary research suggests that levomepholic acid, when taken with a first-line antidepressant, may provide an additional antidepressant effect for people who do not respond or have only partial therapeutic responses to SSRI or SNRI medications.

◆ Diabetic Neuropathy

Early research suggests L-methyltetrahydrofolate supplementation may be beneficial in the treatment of severe depression and diabetic neuropathy.

◆ Calcium levomefolate supplementation is a clear alternative during pregnancy.

Supplementation with L-methylfolate during pregnancy is a clear alternative for those who suspect problems with folate metabolism.

◆ Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer

L-Glutamicacid has been proposed for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and late cancers such as breast and colorectal cancer.It bypasses several metabolic steps in the body and better binds thymidylate synthase to FdUMP, a metabolite of the drug fluorouracil.

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FOLAT 400MKG N50 TABL D / RASS MASS 0.

23G

Folates are indispensable in basic metabolic processes that ensure physiological division and normal growth of all cells in the body. Thus, folates regulate the concentration of the amino acid homocysteine ​​in the blood, which, in case of excess, corrodes the walls of blood vessels and causes the development of atherosclerosis. The lack of folate also adversely affects the main human hematopoietic organ – the bone marrow, provoking the development of anemia.Folate levels are especially important for all women planning a pregnancy, and it is recommended to take this vitamin several months before conception. This is necessary in order to have time to restore the protective level of folates involved in the formation of the fetal neural tube – it is from it that the child’s spinal cord and brain will subsequently develop.

Evalar has developed Folate 400 mcg – a preparation with an optimal content of the active form of folic acid with high bioavailability – methylfolate, in the form of lozenges. Unlike regular folic acid, methylfolate is more easily absorbed and takes effect much faster.

Folate or folic acid: what’s the difference?

Every woman wants to become a mother of a healthy child and devote herself to giving birth and raising it.Therefore, it is very important to be prepared for these important events.

Many people today know about the benefits of taking folate / folic acid for conception and successful bearing of a child. What’s the difference between them?

Folate is a natural form of vitamin B9 that is naturally found in food. Folic acid is an artificially synthesized substance found in fortified foods, supplements and medicines. Regardless of the form, vitamin B9 is the main growth vitamin! It is essential for the production of genetic material and amino acids that support cell growth, for the functioning of the nervous and immune systems, for the formation of red blood cells.

Vitamin B9 is partially synthesized by the intestinal microflora, but most of the daily requirement must be compensated for by food.

For the first time, vitamin B9 was found in leafy greenery and therefore received the name “folate” – from the Latin word folium (leaf). The best sources of this water-soluble vitamin are green parts of plants, all types of cabbage, spinach, radishes, beets, strawberries, bananas, avocados, citrus fruits, yeast, liver, legumes, nuts, seeds, eggs, whole grain bread.

Folates are fragile substances that degrade under the influence of light and high temperatures. During heat treatment, up to 50% of all vitamin B9 is lost in eggs, 70-90% in vegetables, and 95% in meat. Remember to store these foods in the refrigerator and cook in a little water or steam.

Vitamin B9, obtained with food or in the form of food supplements, is especially important for women planning a pregnancy, in the first 3 months of pregnancy and during breastfeeding.If pregnancy is accompanied by a folate deficiency, obvious or latent malformations or fetal growth retardation may occur, miscarriages or premature birth may occur. A high intake of vitamin B9 is associated with a successful pregnancy, better development of children, especially their nervous system.

It is important to understand that folic acid itself is not a sufficiently active substance, i.e. when entering the body in the form of food additives, drugs are not absorbed immediately, but undergoes a difficult path of transformation into an active form.And only after the action of a certain enzyme can it take part in complex biochemical processes of the body.

According to official statistics in Europe, 50-60% of the population have a genetic mutation of this enzyme – “natural injustice”, which leads to the inability to assimilate and metabolize folic acid. It is impossible to determine “by eye” what a person’s ability to metabolize vitamin B9 is. That is why, for the birth of a healthy child, it is the biologically active form of vitamin B9, L-methylfolate (levomefolic acid), is needed.In such cases, the assimilation of an extremely necessary substance occurs 100%, regardless of the presence or absence of genetic mutations.

Vitamin B9 is best obtained from whole foods, but modern humans lack folate in their diet. And during the planning period and during the first trimester of pregnancy, the need for this main vitamin increases. The easiest and safest way to ensure adequate intake is through supplementation with biologically active folate.

A woman who is preparing to become a mother, pregnant and lactating, needs to get more folate, from 400 to 1000 mcg per day.In diseases associated with a deficiency of folate, the doses are further increased.

The importance of taking folate supplements daily is based on the fact that this vitamin is rapidly eliminated from the body. It is recommended to take it in the morning with food. In the evening, it can stimulate the nervous system and disrupt sleep. On the contrary, a morning intake will increase the level of vitality and activity.

When planning a pregnancy, you should consult a doctor in advance for examination and selection of the optimal form and daily dose of folate.

Do not neglect your health and well-being of the unborn child!

Doctor of the Clinic of Doctor Medvedev,

gynecologist-endocrinologist Ovsyuk Larisa Ivanovna

Find out all our news and a lot of useful information on Telegram Public Accaunt: https://t.me/klinika_medvedev

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