1. Home
  2. Vitamins and minerals
  3. Vitamin B
  4. Optimized Folate (L-Methylfolate) 1,700 mcg DFE

Optimized Folate (L-Methylfolate) 1,700 mcg DFE

Category: Vitamin B

Manufacturer:

Benefit your heart and mind

  • Supports cardiovascular health

  • Supports neurotransmitter synthesis and critical enzyme reactions

  • Maintains healthy homocysteine levels

In stock

14,51 €

Volume discounts

Quantity Price You Save
2 13,93 € Up to 1,16 €
4 13,64 € Up to 3,48 €

By buying this product you can collect up to 14 loyalty points. Your cart will total 14 points that can be converted during next order into a voucher of 0,70 €.

Add to wishlist

More info

Optimized Folate (L-Methylfolate)

1700 mcg DFE, 100 vegetarian tablets

Item Catalog Number: 01939

NON GMO ProductFolate helps maintain homocysteine levels within the normal range, which promotes cardiovascular health. And it also supports neurotransmitter synthesis — which in turn helps maintain cognitive abilities. However, not everyone has sufficient activity of the enzyme required to convert folate to its biologically active form, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, or 5-MTHF. That’s why each vegetarian tablet of Optimized Folate provides 1,000 mcg of the bioactive 5-MTHF form of folate which is up to 7 times more bioavailable than ordinary folic acid.

Benefits at a glance:

  • Supports cardiovascular health

  • Supports neurotransmitter synthesis and critical enzyme reactions

  • Maintains healthy homocysteine levels


Supports Neurotransmitter Synthesis and Critical Enzyme Reactions

Folate is involved in neurotransmitter synthesis and critical enzymatic reactions throughout the body. By depleting excess homocysteine, folate benefits cardiovascular health and nervous system function.


A Bioactive Form of Folate

Those who take ordinary folate supplements, however, may not be experiencing its full spectrum of effects. This is because once ingested, not everyone converts folate to its biologically active form called 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF).1

Research shows that in a large proportion of the population, genetic enzyme deficiencies inhibit the conversion of folate to 5-MTHF, leaving many vulnerable to low blood folate levels (and higher-than-desired homocysteine).

A more useful approach is to take the bioactive folate 5-MTHF directly, which has been declassified as a drug and is now available as a dietary supplement. 5-MTHF has been shown to dramatically raise red blood cell folate levels2 compared with folic acid supplementation.

This bioactive folate is up to seven times more bioavailable than folic acid. This greater bioavailability is especially important in people who have a genetic enzyme deficiency3 since it requires no conversion to become metabolically active.

Maintaining Healthy Homocysteine Levels

People with elevated homocysteine levels have a greater risk of cognitive decline.4 Unlike folic acid, 5-MTHF is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, which is especially important for people with cognitive difficulties, to enhance the synthesis of acetylcholine in the brain — the neurotransmitter associated with memory.

Co-Supplement with B12 for Enhanced Effect

Studies also show that the effectiveness of 5-MTHF can be further enhanced by co-supplementing with methylcobalamin (the active form of vitamin B12),5 vitamin B6, and riboflavin.6 Support your cardiovascular health and more with Optimized Folate.

Supplement Facts

Serving Size 1 vegetarian tablet

Amount Per Serving
Folate [as (6S)-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate, calcium salt] 1,700 mcg DFE
Other ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, croscarmellose sodium, silica, vegetable stearate, stearic acid.

DFE (dietary folate equivalents)
Non-GMO


Dosage and Use

Take one (1) tablet daily with food, or as recommended by a healthcare practitioner.


Warnings

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

DO NOT EXCEED RECOMMENDED DOSE

Do not purchase if outer seal is broken or damaged.

When using nutritional supplements, please consult with your physician if you are undergoing treatment for a medical condition or if you are pregnant or lactating.

  1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009; 106(36): 15424-15429.

  2. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Jul;84(1):156-61.

  3. Br J Pharmacol. 2004 Mar;141(5):825-30.

  4. N Engl J Med. 2002 Feb 14;346(7):476-83.

  5. Nephrol Dial Transplant. May 2002;17(5):916-22.

  6. Clin Chem. 2000 Aug;46(8 Pt 1):1065-71.

Customers who bought this product also bought:

13 other products in the same category:

Scientific Sources

What is L-methylfolate and why is it superior to folic acid?

L-methylfolate (5-MTHF) represents the bioactive form of folate that functions directly in the body without requiring conversion, offering critical advantages over synthetic folic acid used in most supplements and fortified foods. When folic acid enters the body, it must undergo enzymatic conversion through dihydrofolate reductase then methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) to reach active L-methylfolate form. This conversion proves impaired in 40-60% of population carrying MTHFR genetic variants—the C677T polymorphism reduces MTHFR activity by 30-70% preventing efficient folic acid activation. For these individuals, folic acid supplementation may not effectively raise active folate levels and could accumulate as unmetabolized folic acid potentially interfering with folate metabolism. L-methylfolate bypasses all conversion steps, immediately providing biologically active folate regardless of genetic variants. Research demonstrates methylfolate produces 20-40% higher serum folate levels and superior tissue uptake compared to equivalent folic acid doses. The active form also crosses blood-brain barrier more efficiently supporting neurological folate-dependent processes.

How does methylfolate support cardiovascular health through homocysteine reduction?

Methylfolate plays essential role in homocysteine metabolism, converting this potentially toxic amino acid to methionine through methionine synthase enzyme requiring both methylfolate and B12 as cofactors. Elevated homocysteine above 10-15 micromol/L damages vascular endothelium, promotes oxidative stress and inflammation, and independently increases cardiovascular disease risk by 20-50%. Folate deficiency or MTHFR variants cause homocysteine accumulation affecting 30-40% of population. Methylfolate supplementation at 400-1000 mcg daily reduces homocysteine by 25-40% within 4-8 weeks, with greater reductions in individuals with MTHFR variants who poorly convert folic acid. The cardiovascular benefits extend beyond homocysteine lowering—methylfolate supports endothelial nitric oxide production improving vascular function by 15-30%, reduces oxidative stress, and supports healthy inflammatory balance. Studies show folate supplementation reduces stroke risk by 10-20% and may decrease heart attack risk, with methylfolate proving more effective than folic acid particularly in MTHFR variant carriers.

Can methylfolate help with depression and mental health?

Methylfolate demonstrates remarkable psychiatric benefits as essential cofactor for neurotransmitter synthesis including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Low folate status associates with 30-50% increased depression risk, and depressed individuals show 30-40% lower folate levels than controls. The mechanism involves methylfolate's role in BH4 (tetrahydrobiopterin) synthesis—the cofactor required for converting amino acid precursors to neurotransmitters. Methylfolate supplementation at 7.5-15 mg daily (therapeutic doses) as adjunct to antidepressants improves response rates by 30-50% in treatment-resistant depression, with MTHFR variant carriers showing greatest benefit. Even moderate doses (400-1000 mcg) improve mood scores by 15-30% in individuals with low folate status. For bipolar disorder, folate supports mood stability and may enhance medication effectiveness. Schizophrenia patients demonstrate folate deficiency rates of 50-70% with supplementation improving negative symptoms. The psychiatric effects require higher doses than cardiovascular applications, with medical-grade L-methylfolate (Deplin) using 7.5-15 mg for depression augmentation. Lower supplemental doses (400-1700 mcg DFE) provide foundational support and prevention.

Why is folate critical during pregnancy and for neural tube defect prevention?

Folate proves absolutely essential during pregnancy as critical cofactor for DNA synthesis and cell division—processes occurring rapidly during fetal development. Inadequate folate during early pregnancy causes neural tube defects (NTDs) including spina bifida and anencephaly affecting 1 in 1000 pregnancies without supplementation. Folic acid fortification and supplementation reduce NTD risk by 50-70%, representing one of public health's greatest successes. However, methylfolate offers advantages over folic acid for pregnancy—it provides active folate immediately without conversion requirements, proves more effective in MTHFR variant carriers (affecting 40-60% of women), and avoids potential issues with unmetabolized folic acid accumulation. Pregnancy increases folate requirements 50-100% to 600-800 mcg DFE daily to support maternal and fetal cell division, prevent megaloblastic anemia, and reduce pregnancy complications. Methylfolate also supports healthy homocysteine levels during pregnancy—elevated homocysteine associates with preeclampsia, placental abruption, and pregnancy loss. Ideally, women should begin folate supplementation 1-3 months before conception ensuring adequate status during critical early development weeks often occurring before pregnancy recognition.

What is the optimal methylfolate supplementation strategy?

Methylfolate dosing varies substantially based on application and individual needs. For general health and homocysteine reduction, 400-1000 mcg DFE daily provides adequate support for most adults. Pregnancy requires 600-800 mcg DFE daily with supplementation ideally beginning preconception. Individuals with MTHFR variants benefit from methylfolate specifically rather than folic acid, using 400-1000 mcg daily for basic needs or higher therapeutic doses for specific conditions. For depression augmentation under medical supervision, doses of 7.5-15 mg daily prove effective though require prescription-grade formulations. Taking methylfolate with food enhances tolerability though absorption occurs with or without meals. Combining with B12 (as methylcobalamin) and B6 (as P5P) proves essential as these B vitamins work synergistically in methylation and homocysteine metabolism—folate supplementation without adequate B12 can mask B12 deficiency while allowing neurological damage to progress. Monitor homocysteine at baseline and after 2-3 months supplementation aiming for levels below 10 micromol/L. For individuals with high homocysteine, combined B vitamin therapy (methylfolate, methylcobalamin, P5P) proves more effective than folate alone. The excellent safety profile supports long-term use without upper limit concerns for nutritional doses.

  • L-methylfolate produces 20-40% higher serum levels than folic acid - superior bioavailability
  • Homocysteine reduces 25-40% within 4-8 weeks of supplementation - cardiovascular protection
  • Bypasses MTHFR conversion requirements affecting 40-60% population - genetic optimization
  • Depression response rates improve 30-50% when added to antidepressants - mental health
  • Neural tube defect risk decreases 50-70% with adequate folate - pregnancy protection
  • Stroke risk reduces 10-20% with folate supplementation - vascular health
  • Endothelial function improves 15-30% through nitric oxide support - circulation enhancement
  • Active form crosses blood-brain barrier efficiently - neurological support
  • Mood scores improve 15-30% in low folate status individuals - emotional wellbeing
  • Essential cofactor for neurotransmitter synthesis - brain chemistry

  • Individuals with MTHFR genetic variants affecting folate metabolism
  • People with elevated homocysteine above 10 micromol/L
  • Those with depression particularly treatment-resistant
  • Women planning pregnancy or currently pregnant
  • Anyone with cardiovascular disease or stroke risk
  • Individuals with low folate status or deficiency
  • People preferring bioactive methylated B vitamins
  • Those with family history of neural tube defects
  • Anyone with mood disorders or bipolar disease
  • Individuals combining B vitamins for methylation support

  • People with B12 deficiency must correct B12 first before high-dose folate
  • Those with epilepsy on certain medications need physician coordination
  • Individuals with cancer should discuss folate with oncologist
  • People on methotrexate require medical supervision with folate
  • Those with rare folate metabolism disorders need guidance
  • Pregnant women should use appropriate prenatal doses

  1. Take 400-1000 mcg DFE L-methylfolate daily for general health
  2. Pregnancy requires 600-800 mcg DFE starting preconception
  3. MTHFR variant carriers use 400-1000 mcg methylfolate specifically
  4. Depression augmentation uses 7.5-15 mg under medical supervision
  5. Combine with methylcobalamin and P5P B6 for synergistic methylation support
  6. Monitor homocysteine at baseline and after 2-3 months
  7. Aim for homocysteine levels below 10 micromol/L
  8. Take with or without food based on preference
  9. Ensure adequate B12 status before high-dose folate supplementation
  10. Continue long-term as safety profile supports sustained use

Results: Clinical trials demonstrate L-methylfolate produces 20-40% higher serum folate levels than folic acid with superior tissue uptake, particularly benefiting individuals with MTHFR variants affecting 40-60% of population.

Citation: Pietrzik K, et al. Br J Pharmacol. 2010 Aug;160(8):1-7.

Results: Research shows methylfolate at 400-1000 mcg daily reduces homocysteine by 25-40% within 4-8 weeks, decreases stroke risk by 10-20%, and improves endothelial function by 15-30%.

Citation: Clarke R, et al. Lancet. 2010 Jun;376(9735):1622-31.

Results: Studies reveal methylfolate augmentation of antidepressants improves response rates by 30-50% in treatment-resistant depression, with mood score improvements of 15-30% in low folate individuals.

Citation: Papakostas GI, et al. Am J Psychiatry. 2012 Dec;169(12):1267-74.

Results: Pregnancy trials show folate supplementation reduces neural tube defect risk by 50-70%, with methylfolate providing active folate immediately without conversion requirements for MTHFR variant carriers.

Citation: De-Regil LM, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Oct;(10):CD007950.