Methylfolate 400mcg | 60 Capsules | Jarrow Formulas

Methylfolate 400mcg by Jarrow Formulas

Are you looking for a folate supplement in a form that your body does not need to convert first? Then you will quickly end up with methylfolate. Jarrow Formulas puts 400mcg (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate from the Quatrefolic® brand in every plant-based capsule. That is exactly what you need for a simple daily routine: a capsule, a bottle of 60 pieces, a two-month supply.

What methylfolate exactly is

Folate is the collective name for vitamin B11 in all its forms. It is found naturally in green vegetables, but in many supplements you will mainly come across folic acid (the synthetic variant). The difference lies in the steps that follow. Your body must first convert folic acid via a few enzymes before it can do anything with it. Methylfolate is the form at the end of that route. It is therefore already the active form that circulates in your blood. Good to know: the name (6S)-5-MTHF sounds complicated, but (6S) only refers to the spatial structure of the molecule. That is the variant your body recognizes. In practice, this means: fewer intermediate steps, the same vitamin. By the way, folate also occurs largely in methylated form in your diet. Spinach, broccoli, asparagus, and legumes are well-known sources. Only, part of that is lost during cooking and storage, because folate is sensitive to heat and light. A supplement gives you a fixed, measured amount per day.

Why the glucosamine salt matters

What many people do not know: methylfolate is a fairly fragile substance on its own. Therefore, manufacturers couple it with a salt. In this capsule, that is a glucosamine salt, known under the brand name Quatrefolic®. That coupling makes the powder more stable and more soluble in water. With 400mcg per capsule, you are at 200% of the reference intake.

What folate does in your body

Folate has a wide range of tasks. Folate plays a role in the cell division process, and folate contributes to normal blood formation. Folate also contributes to the normal metabolism of homocysteine (an amino acid that your body produces along the way and processes further). In addition, folate contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system and to the reduction of fatigue and tiredness. And during pregnancy, folate contributes to tissue growth. Many people wonder whether they should take folic acid or an active folate supplement then. In short: both provide folate, only the route to it differs.

This Jarrow Formulas methylfolate is a pure single-component product. No extra vitamins, no flavorings, only the active folate form with some cellulose and a plant-based capsule. The capsule is vegan and free from gluten and the known allergens. That makes the active folate form easy to combine with a multivitamin or B-complex that you already use, as long as you keep an eye on the total amount of folate. The capsule is 14.3 millimeters long, so just swallow it well with a sip of water. Jarrow Formulas is an American brand from California that has been making supplements since 1977, and this methylfolate is one of the staple products in their B-vitamin line.