What is methylfolate? Methylfolate is a form of folate or Vitamin B9. If a person consumes folate through food the body converts it to L-methylfolate to use it for their inside cells. You would only take l-methylfolate in supplement form if you are not absorbing it from eating regular whole foods.
This occurs naturally in foods such as leafy greens and legumes.
What is methylfolate?
The benefits of L-Methylfolate are:
- Improved cellular function.
- DNA synthesis
- It helps to produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
There is some research that shows that low levels of folate are linked to low depression and poor response to antidepressant medications.
What is the difference between folic acid and l-methylfolate? L-methylfolate is more bioavailable than folic acid. But folic acid is a synthetic form of folate that manufacturers add to fortified foods and supplements.
Recommended Dosage of L-methylfolate
The recommended daily intake of folate for most adults is 400 mcg. If you are a pregnant woman or lactating, you would need to consume 500 to 600 mcg.
In research studies where subjects were very depressed, they required dosages from 5000 mcg to 15000 mcg. In a 2012 trial taking 7500 mcg was most effective for depression subjects.
Before taking L-methylfolate for depression you need to consult a doctor first and allow them to make the medical decision to give you a prescription. There was a 2019 study that revealed that taking L-methylfolate reduced their depression symptoms by 25% in 182 people.
Side Effects
Some of the side effects and risks of taking too much l-methylfolate are:
- Anxiety
- Digestive symptoms
- Agitation
L-methylfolate is a nutrient that helps regulate the levels of different brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin.
Interaction of Medications
Some of the medications that l-methylfolate supplements can interact with are:
- Sulfasalazine
- Rheumatrax
- Trexall
- Phenytoin
How To Use L-methylfolate?
You can take this product by mouth with or without food daily. If you are taking the product, make sure your doctor or pharmacist directs you on how much you need to take daily. Your daily dosage will be based on your medical response to your treatment.
The Bottom Line is l-methylfolate, a form of folate or B9 and it is important to know that it naturally occurs in foods like leafy greens and legumes. You can consume it through food if you don’t want to digest it in supplement form.
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References
- NIH- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/
- Effect of L-methylfolate on Depressive Symptoms in Patients with MTHFR Mutations (P3.9-057)
Michelle Rainka, Jacqueline Meaney, Erica S. Westphal, Traci Aladeen, Kaitlin Landolf, Sarah Stanford, Patrick Galdun, Natalie Asbach, Francis Gengo, Horacio Capote. Neurology Apr 2019, 92 (15 Supplement) P3.9-057
3. Hardin A, Baldwin-Sayre C. L-Methylfolate as a Monotherapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Case Study. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2020 Aug;19(4):14-18. PMID: 33132780; PMCID: PMC7572139.
