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L-Methylfolate

5-MTHF, Levomefolic acid, Metafolin, Deplin

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Meta Information

ID:l-methylfolate
Name:L-Methylfolate
Schema Version:1.5

Alternate Names

  • 5-MTHF
  • Levomefolic acid
  • Metafolin
  • Deplin

Active Compound

Levomefolic acid

Intervention Type

therapeutic_agent

Delivery

Route:
oral
Scope:
  • systemic

Regulatory Status

  • us:dietary_supplement
  • us:medical_food

Indication

Focus:
healthspan
Description:
Supports methylation cycles, particularly for individuals with MTHFR gene variations, impacting mood, cardiovascular health, and cellular repair.

Typical Protocol

  • Typical supplemental doses range from 400 mcg to 1000 mcg (1 mg) taken once daily.
  • Higher doses of 7.5 mg to 15 mg are used under medical supervision for specific conditions like depression.

Expected Cost Mean

Low Cost:
15
High Cost:
40
Cost Type:
monthly
Description:
Cost for over-the-counter supplements; high-dose medical food versions are more expensive.

Summary

L-methylfolate is the biologically active form of folate (Vitamin B9), bypassing the MTHFR enzyme conversion step required by folic acid. This is crucial for individuals with MTHFR gene mutations, as it directly provides the necessary substrate for methylation, a fundamental process involved in DNA repair, neurotransmitter synthesis, and homocysteine regulation, all of which are linked to healthy aging.

Purpose

Provides active folate to support methylation and reduce homocysteine.

Card Summary

The active form of folate, L-methylfolate bypasses MTHFR gene limitations to support critical methylation cycles for mood, DNA repair, and cardiovascular health.

Drug Class

null

Drugs In Class

Empty Array

Impact

Score:
4.5
Justification:
Highly targeted benefit for individuals with MTHFR polymorphisms, optimizing a key metabolic pathway.

Evidence

Grade:
A
Score:
8.5
Justification:
Extensive human RCTs confirm its role in lowering homocysteine and as an adjunct for depression.

Safety

Score:
2.5
Justification:
Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) with a very low risk of side effects.

Flags

  • May mask the hematological signs of a Vitamin B12 deficiency; ensure B12 status is adequate.
  • High doses can cause side effects like anxiety, insomnia, or irritability in sensitive individuals.
  • Unlike folic acid, does not carry the risk of unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) accumulation.

Verdict

A key supplement for optimizing methylation, especially with MTHFR gene variants.

Created

2026-06-12T18:39:30.717137Z

Ai Model

Gemini 2.5 Pro (High)