It’s mandatory to understand the active and the best type of each nutrient you use as a supplement. It’s possible that you purchase that form of supplement; that contains impurities or inactive forms of supplements but is labeled as a pure and active form. It is compulsory to know about the type of supplements, including L-methylfolate.
L-methylfolate is a vital nutrient that is the only active form of vitamin b9 (folate); your body utilize methylfolate to make new cells, red blood cells, initiate the methylation process, and metabolize amino acids. The food you eat delivers folate to your body, from where folate absorption occurs, and your liver converts it into methylfolate. L-methylfolate shows more bioavailability than folic acid.
Its deficiency causes multiple disorders like depression, cardiovascular, anemia, and many more. L-methylfolate supplements are sold over the counter; you can use them to replenish its deficiency. Therefore, you should know about the best type of l-methylfolate before purchasing.
Some fundamental points that you should keep in mind
We know you want to purchase the highest quality of l-methylfolate because you deliver it to your body. Thus you should consider some fundamental points during purchasing l-methylfolate supplements such as;
- The formula must be patent (scientifically supported)
- Contain L or (6R) isomer of methylfolate (chemically active)
- High stability and potency (crystalline form shows high stability)
- Best salt type (calcium or glucosamine salt)
- Must be pure (free of impurities)
L-methylfolate supplements are also sold with many other names; you should take that type of methylfolate labeled with L or (6R) isomer of methylfolate, containing 99% pure l-methylfolate. Don’t look at other forms that carry D or (6S) isomer of methylfolate are not pure.
Prescribed as Medical food
As you know, L-methylfolate is also prescribed as a medical food. Therefore, L-methylfolate is available in pharmaceutical stores as a medical supplement in different forms such as;
- Cerefolin (Alzheimer’s and dementia)
- Metanx (cardiovascular health)
- Enlyte (depression)
- Deplin (depression)
- NeevoDHA (pregnancy)
- XaQil XR (depression)
Besides these, some internationally registered brands of L-methylfolate are also available. These types of l-methylfolate are patented. Let’s discuss!
Metafolin®
Metafolin is the 1st generation of methylfolate that contains calcium salt of L-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-methylfolate). When you intake metafolin, the salt and l-methylfolate dissolve and separate; your body absorbs l-methylfolate readily. The crystalline-nature of salt makes it more stable and has fewer chances of degradation. Metafolin is almost 98-99% pure.
Extrafolate-S®
This patent of l-methylfolate carries calcium salt of L-5-MTHF (L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate) is similar to metafolin. This formula is less stable than other brands due to the amorphous nature of salt. The crystalline nature of salts provides more stability and strength, while the amorphous nature makes them less stable. Extrafolate-S is also pure, approximately 98-99%.
Quatrefolic®
This patent contains glucosamine salt of l-methylfolate, unlike other patents. This salt has more bioavailability than calcium salts. Quatrefolic is sometimes also labeled as (6S)-5-methylfolate, glucosamine salt. But it shows less stability due to the amorphous nature of glucosamine salt. No doubt Quatrefolic is also the purest form of l-methylfolate.
Magnafolate-PRO
Magnafolate-PRO is the newest player of l-methylfolate that shows more potency than any other type of l-methylfolate. This form is also based on crystalline calcium salt of l-methylfolate. The remarkable thing about Magnafolate-PRO is that it offers triple-time extra active l-methylfolate than any other available type and is 99% pure.
We concluded that Magnafolate-PRO is the best type of l-methylfolate among other types. However, talk to your healthcare and use a prescribed form of methylfolate that may benefit you more.
Conclusion
L-methylfolate is available in different forms that cause confusion about which one is best. Before taking supplements, carefully read the packaging of bottles. Only purchase that type of methylfolate labeled with L or (6S) active isomer of l-methylfolate. No doubt, all international brands of l-methylfolate are best and trustable, but Magnafolate-PRO is best as compared to other types.