Methylfolate
- Thread starter Slims
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sns8778
Board Sponsor
Methylfolate is a great example of a good ingredient that has gotten so overhyped that unfortunately, I doubt anything could live up to some of the sales pitches that some brands are giving on it.
We use it in Multi XT.
I've tried it at higher dosages (5,000 mcg.) by NOW Foods at one time. I can't say I saw a whole lot, but wasn't expecting a whole lot either, as I think that the results that most people see will be over time.
I think that some of the dosages I see on it are crazy high and just marketing.
We've been considering doing a product that would be good for people with the mthfr gene mutation and it would be in there if we do.
We use it in Multi XT.
I've tried it at higher dosages (5,000 mcg.) by NOW Foods at one time. I can't say I saw a whole lot, but wasn't expecting a whole lot either, as I think that the results that most people see will be over time.
I think that some of the dosages I see on it are crazy high and just marketing.
We've been considering doing a product that would be good for people with the mthfr gene mutation and it would be in there if we do.
LucasBagoDoce
Member
Isn’t it just a B-complex vitamin?
CATdiesel76
Well-known member
I agree with this to a degree. I believe some people have such poor b vitamin intake and what they do get is folic acid pumped into enriched pasta, cereal, etc which from my understanding can’t be absorbed and causes inflammation and other issues. Especially woman can be deficient. When these people get a good dose of methyl folate, it seems to make a big difference.
For men eating lots of red meat and the sorts, it doesn’t seem to have any noticeable effects although it’s probably still doing beneficial things behind the scenes like most vitamins
sns8778
Board Sponsor
What I meant by wasn't expecting much was wasn't expecting to feel much - as in the results I think work over a long period of time and the goal should be consistent use, not overdoing the mega doses like some brands do now days.
People with the MTHFR gene mutation definitely need to avoid 'enriched' things that add in a lot of folic acid.
vlsk10
Member
It is crucical for increasing low blood chemistry - if used in conjunction with B12 (adenosyl/hydroxcobalamin/methylcobalamin). I increased my MCV/MCH levels from very low to good by using methylfolate for a long time. Low MCV/MCH was part of systemic failure for me. Doctors thought beta thalassamia minor but real cause was hypothyrodism. With high MCV/MCH I'm no longer fatigued or fogged.
Also activated folate makes me complete. But too much makes me wired, heart palpitations, raising thoughts.
Some people also swear by folinic acid and I know the trump adminstration and doctors who sympathize with kennedy jr, - promotes it like crazy - especially after the tylenol claim and all. However, for me folinic acid doesn't boost dopamine/serotonin. You dont feel it. And in higher doses above 800mcg, it makes my OCD
worse.
Also about the enriched products with folic acid. That's only a thing in the US/UK/CA/NZ/AUS I beleive. So import european flour
Also activated folate makes me complete. But too much makes me wired, heart palpitations, raising thoughts.
Some people also swear by folinic acid and I know the trump adminstration and doctors who sympathize with kennedy jr, - promotes it like crazy - especially after the tylenol claim and all. However, for me folinic acid doesn't boost dopamine/serotonin. You dont feel it. And in higher doses above 800mcg, it makes my OCD
worse.
Also about the enriched products with folic acid. That's only a thing in the US/UK/CA/NZ/AUS I beleive. So import european flour
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Slims
Well-known member
What was your sweet spot dosage?It is crucical for increasing low blood chemistry - if used in conjunction with B12 (adenosyl/hydroxcobalamin/methylcobalamin). I increased my MCV/MCH levels from very low to good by using methylfolate for a long time. Low MCV/MCH was part of systemic failure for me. Doctors thought beta thalassamia minor but real cause was hypothyrodism. With high MCV/MCH I'm no longer fatigued or fogged.
Also activated folate makes me complete. But too much makes me wired, heart palpitations, raising thoughts.
Some people also swear by folinic acid and I know the trump adminstration and doctors who sympathize with kennedy jr, - promotes it like crazy - especially after the tylenol claim and all. However, for me folinic acid doesn't boost dopamine/serotonin. You dont feel it. And in higher doses above 800mcg, it makes my OCD
worse.
Also about the enriched products with folic acid. That's only a thing in the US/UK/CA/NZ/AUS I beleive. So import european flour
Slims
Well-known member
So, other than the studies, nobody seems to be recommending the 7.5mg-15mg per day
vlsk10
Member
People with mtfhr with low levels of folate or blood disorders aren't advised on this dosage to fix their levels. Or to lower hymocysteine. I find no need to take more than 1 milligram. Because I'm sensitive to it.So, other than the studies, nobody seems to be recommending the 7.5mg-15mg per day
Are you chronically depressed btw? Because I think those perticular doses are for treating depression - at least in human trials and studies. I don't see why anyone else would want to go this high. Waste of money + too many sides if you're sensitive to folate in all its forms.
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Slims
Well-known member
The main reasons to why I was looking into it was to reduce anxiety and help with brain fog.
CATdiesel76
Well-known member
Oh yes that’s what I thought and I totally agree completely. I was just saying that I’ve know some people (my wife and multiple female family members and one older neighbor who’s in his 70s) that actually felt a pretty remarkable difference in energy, focus, and other things even after just a single dose when supplementing with it. Maybe placebo? But they seem to notice a big difference when they miss a dose as well
vlsk10
Member
Then you test it. Start with 1mg methylfolate tablets. Take them in the morning with enough b12 and other methyl donors. Just so you have enough for folate support. If it dosen't help, you increase gradually. You take 5 tabs a day. If that doesnt work and you notice no bad sides, you take 15 tabs a day. Then you will notice, do I need 1, 5 or 15mg and you buy the tablets you need from there on...
Also - folate isn't necesery to take every day when the problem has been corrected with defencies etc.
I don't take b-compex and folate every day anymore. I find it better taking every 2nd or 3rd day but I make sure to have 6mg of b12 every week... and at least 4mg of methylfolate per week.
sns8778
Board Sponsor
So, other than the studies, nobody seems to be recommending the 7.5mg-15mg per day
There are some brands that do, but in my opinion that's too high of a dose for people to start with because some people don't need that much. I remember when 5 mg. was considered a very high dose on it.
When I tried it, I used NOW Foods 5 mg. caps.
sns8778
Board Sponsor
I think its one of those things where some people will feel more than others - I just think that some of the marketing on it is making it sound like a miracle pill that nothing can live up to, and that for most people, results will be results they can't necessarily feel. Some may feel it, but for most, its usually a gradual buildup of feeling better.
But hey - if she felt better on it at one dose, that is awesome. Take a win where can get one haha.
I used it for months and the only reason I came off of it was to gauge something on bloodwork next time, and then I'll start back, but I use it for health purposes, I've never been able to feel it.
CATdiesel76
Well-known member
Exactly. I think we are saying the same thing. I never noticed **** and neither did many people I know. But people
With gene mutations or a deficiency will notice an Immediate boost if they have been starved for that nutrient for decades. The reason I bring up the women demographic is they are the ones who count the protein and b vitamins from enriched bread to daily totals and get no real nutrition. Once they add these things they feel an improvement where we ate all already doing it and don’t notice ****. But most people
Won’t notice any change and so much marketing flat out lies like it’s some miracle drug. Same thing they do with Collagen, ashwaganda, etc
sns8778
Board Sponsor
I'm sorry, I thought you knew, but I should have clarified for anyone reading that I do have the gene mutation.
That's why I was saying that not everyone that has it is going to feel it, but that it may still be doing good that we can't feel and why I would be starting back on it after my next bloodwork.
That was my main thing - was not wanting anyone with the gene mutation to get discouraged and stop taking it just because they didn't feel it.
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vlsk10
Member
Do you know why people with the gene mutation prefer the seeking health MF? It's been selling so much on iherb that everytime it is restocked it becomes out of stock again. It's really silly.
The thing about Seeking Health's MF it's folinic acid and hydroxocobalamin as opposed to methylfolate and methylcobalamin ( so active versions that don't require methylation basically). To be honest I feel jack **** on this brand and this brand is praised by the mtfhr community. I also feel jack **** if I take folic acid and cyanocobalmin.
I need the methylfolate or else I just don't feel any cognitive boost and well being. Or energy boost for that matter. So I won't be buying seeking health again. I did stock up on source naturals folinic acid just in case but it just gives me more OCD tendencies. Same thing if I mix folinic acid and methylfolate. So I'll stick to methylfolate from now on.
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vlsk10
Member
Also guys. I'm EU based and here we're generally not taught about MTHFR. Doctors don't know what it is and if you talk about it you get the "crazy" stamp. No gene tests are provided. It's like it doesn't exist. You're miles ahead of us in this research field. Most of our supplements are still stacked with folic acid and cyanocobalmin - always has - always will be. But we don't fortifie wheat products and flour here. I've only seen fortified products with thiamine or folic acid and it was canadian cookies from LIDL (german grociery store).
But I know this. I'm not sensitive to glycine, niacine, TMG or Betaine HCL. I can take plenty of it for different purposes. They also reduce overmethylation. But I keep hearing about people who can't even take less than a gram of glycine without getting jittirness, rapid heartbeat. These people get almost an heart attack from anything that is bound to glycine so they can't take chelated things, magnesium glycinate, iron byglycinate etc etc. Are these the people who prefer Seeking healths MF complex? Because they get too strong overmethylation signs of methylated B's and glycine/riboflavin niacin -which are suppost to moop up overmethylation -just makes it worse for them? I'm sure you guys all know better. Slow comt, fast comt - slow&fast comt at the same time (omfg - noway right? but it exists) +, homozygout mthfr genes, the worse, the better. Hell, you will never get me to understand that ****.
I found something that works for me so I should be glad. At least I'm not doomed and I also eat clean. Only single food ingredients. Meat, eggs, animal fats, butter - no seed oils. Healthy fruits berries and vedgs. Just regular kefir, quark, greek yoghurt or cottage cheese - with no added hidden sugars or flavours. I never eat (ultra)processed or refined sugars, starches, maltodextrin, high fructose corn syrup etc. No grains, granola etc., I'm following the new health trends and I feel good. And I know this is a problem in the US/UK. Not enough people eat healthy - not even in school. So a lot has to do with diet and lifestyle I suppose. All our problems are probably caused by bad gut health - caused by eating **** that we're not meant to eat.
But I know this. I'm not sensitive to glycine, niacine, TMG or Betaine HCL. I can take plenty of it for different purposes. They also reduce overmethylation. But I keep hearing about people who can't even take less than a gram of glycine without getting jittirness, rapid heartbeat. These people get almost an heart attack from anything that is bound to glycine so they can't take chelated things, magnesium glycinate, iron byglycinate etc etc. Are these the people who prefer Seeking healths MF complex? Because they get too strong overmethylation signs of methylated B's and glycine/riboflavin niacin -which are suppost to moop up overmethylation -just makes it worse for them? I'm sure you guys all know better. Slow comt, fast comt - slow&fast comt at the same time (omfg - noway right? but it exists) +, homozygout mthfr genes, the worse, the better. Hell, you will never get me to understand that ****.
I found something that works for me so I should be glad. At least I'm not doomed and I also eat clean. Only single food ingredients. Meat, eggs, animal fats, butter - no seed oils. Healthy fruits berries and vedgs. Just regular kefir, quark, greek yoghurt or cottage cheese - with no added hidden sugars or flavours. I never eat (ultra)processed or refined sugars, starches, maltodextrin, high fructose corn syrup etc. No grains, granola etc., I'm following the new health trends and I feel good. And I know this is a problem in the US/UK. Not enough people eat healthy - not even in school. So a lot has to do with diet and lifestyle I suppose. All our problems are probably caused by bad gut health - caused by eating **** that we're not meant to eat.
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sns8778
Board Sponsor
I think that its mainly just that they do a good job marketing. It's not the one I use. I use NOW Foods and they have a 1,000 mcg. and a 5,000 mcg.
vlsk10
Member
Yeah. Now Foods is good. I have WARKNE 5-MTHF 1mg from amazon cuz I'm europe based.
So at 2pm I took 100mg p5p (nutricost),1000mg TMG (vitamatic), 1mg methylfolate. It just levels me if I'm thinking about too much already. I feel slightly euphoric (I don't know if that's a bad sign but I get the same feeling from taking 200-400mg of nutricost's SAMe. But I think it's safer to let tmg amd 5-mthf convert into homocysteine- methionine-and create sam-e naturaly - 5MTHF recycles homocysteine via MTHFR pathway and tmg via BHMT pathway.
The important thing is to find the right dose.Too much methylfolate/tmg can make people anxioius, wired, irrirtable, speedy. And then you would need niacin, glycine, riboflavin, and prob magnesium to bring yourself back to baseline again.
chatgpt further says:
- TMG alone can support methylation and mood indirectly — sometimes leading to mild improvements in energy, focus, or calm.
- Methylfolate + TMG can complement each other, ensuring both methylation routes are supported.
- However, TMG is generally more gentle than direct SAM-e supplementation — it tends to build balance gradually rather than giving a rapid “boost.”
Just keep in mind
- TMG can still cause mild stimulation or heart racing if your methylation suddenly increases too fast.
- It can also lower homocysteine too much if overused, which isn’t always beneficial.
- Always pair methyl donors with adequate B12 and magnesium to keep things balanced.
vlsk10
Member
And like I said earlier. I dont feel much from folinic acid 800mcg because it's converting to sam-e in a slower pace (acording to chatgpt) and I think I also feel worse on it - the ocd part. So taking 3-4mg of folinic acid to get a faster sam-e conversion would not even be ideal for me, but that might not be the case for other people. I have actually never tried 4mg of folinic acid. I'd have to take 5-6 tablets a day then. Has anyone had any suscesses with low or high dose of folinic acid in terms of mood/energy/motivation?
chatgpt even says that people should be carful about using folinic acid without first looking up if they can handle it. Just because methylfolate gives you a problem as in over/under methylation doesn't mean you automatically should go for folinic acid - this is a common mistake many people make. They think folnic acid is safe, but it's apparently not for everyone either.
If you feel good on 1 mg of methylfolate, the approximate equivalent range of folinic acid would be:
So, 2–4 mg folinic acid ≈ 1 mg methylfolate in terms of potential methylation power, but with a gentler, slower onset.
Folinic acid (5-formyl-THF) isn’t the methylating form of folate.
Your body has to move it through several enzyme steps:
So if you have a slow MTHFR enzyme, folinic acid can “bottleneck” — it enters the folate cycle but doesn’t fully convert to methylfolate.
This can leave you with folate intermediates that don’t provide the methyl groups you need for SAM-e production — which may actually make you feel worse.
If folinic acid builds up but can’t convert efficiently to methylfolate, it can:
That can feel like:
Meanwhile, methylfolate bypasses all that — it feeds directly into the methionine → SAM-e pathway, giving a cleaner, more immediate effect.
Folinic acid can also divert folate toward DNA repair and cell growth, especially in the gut and bone marrow.
That’s great for tissue health — but it means less folate available for methylation.
So if your system “chooses” to use folinic acid for those purposes, you might not get the same mental or mood benefits — and instead feel a bit drained.
Folinic acid still depends on B12 to recycle properly.
If B12 levels aren’t strong (or if the form isn’t right for you), folinic acid can accumulate without converting efficiently, leading to:
Some people’s enzymes naturally favor one folate route over another.
For example:
Summary:
The main slow MTHFR enzymes that can bottleneck folinic acid conversion to 5-methyl-THF are:
These variants slow the enzyme that converts folate to its active methylated form, which is why folinic acid can accumulate without fully resolving methylation deficits.
chatgpt even says that people should be carful about using folinic acid without first looking up if they can handle it. Just because methylfolate gives you a problem as in over/under methylation doesn't mean you automatically should go for folinic acid - this is a common mistake many people make. They think folnic acid is safe, but it's apparently not for everyone either.
General equivalence (roughly)
If you feel good on 1 mg of methylfolate, the approximate equivalent range of folinic acid would be:That’s because:2–4 mg of folinic acid
- Only a portion of folinic acid actually becomes methylfolate.
- The rest supports other folate-dependent reactions (like nucleotide synthesis, detox, and repair).
- The conversion efficiency can vary from 25–50%, depending on your biochemistry.
So, 2–4 mg folinic acid ≈ 1 mg methylfolate in terms of potential methylation power, but with a gentler, slower onset.
A few important notes
- Some people actually feel worse on folinic acid, even at lower doses, if their body doesn’t handle the conversion well — especially with certain MTHFR or SHMT gene variants.
- If methylfolate already feels right, there’s no need to switch — folinic acid isn’t “better,” just a different route.
- Folinic acid tends to help more with DNA synthesis and tissue repair, while methylfolate is better for mood and neurotransmitter regulation.
1. Folinic acid has to be converted — and that’s not always smooth
Folinic acid (5-formyl-THF) isn’t the methylating form of folate.Your body has to move it through several enzyme steps:
That last conversion (to methylfolate) relies on the MTHFR enzyme — the same one affected by the common MTHFR C677T or A1298C variants.
So if you have a slow MTHFR enzyme, folinic acid can “bottleneck” — it enters the folate cycle but doesn’t fully convert to methylfolate.
This can leave you with folate intermediates that don’t provide the methyl groups you need for SAM-e production — which may actually make you feel worse.
2. The “folate trap” and neurotransmitter imbalance
If folinic acid builds up but can’t convert efficiently to methylfolate, it can:- Trap folate in a non-methyl form (the so-called “folate trap”).
- Reduce available methyl groups, lowering SAM-e and slowing neurotransmitter synthesis (dopamine, serotonin, etc.).
That can feel like:
- Brain fog
- Fatigue or low motivation
- Irritability or flat mood
- Even mild anxiety in some people
Meanwhile, methylfolate bypasses all that — it feeds directly into the methionine → SAM-e pathway, giving a cleaner, more immediate effect.
3. Folinic acid supports other folate reactions first
Folinic acid can also divert folate toward DNA repair and cell growth, especially in the gut and bone marrow.That’s great for tissue health — but it means less folate available for methylation.
So if your system “chooses” to use folinic acid for those purposes, you might not get the same mental or mood benefits — and instead feel a bit drained.
4. Folinic acid can unbalance the folate/B12 ratio
Folinic acid still depends on B12 to recycle properly.If B12 levels aren’t strong (or if the form isn’t right for you), folinic acid can accumulate without converting efficiently, leading to:
- Low methylfolate availability
- Higher homocysteine
- Symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, or “wired but tired” feelings
5. Genetic and metabolic individuality
Some people’s enzymes naturally favor one folate route over another.For example:
- MTHFR variants → prefer methylfolate directly
- SHMT or MTHFD1 variants → can bottleneck folinic acid metabolism
So, it’s not “bad” that folinic acid doesn’t suit you — it’s just how your metabolism is wired.
Summary:The main slow MTHFR enzymes that can bottleneck folinic acid conversion to 5-methyl-THF are:
- C677T homozygotes (TT) → major reduction
- A1298C homozygotes (CC) → moderate reduction
- Compound heterozygotes (C677T + A1298C) → moderate to significant reduction
Summary Table
| Enzyme | Key Variant | Effect on Folinic Acid |
|---|---|---|
| MTHFR | C677T, A1298C | Reduces conversion of 5,10-methylene-THF → 5-methyl-THF |
| SHMT1 | C1420T | Reduces 5,10-methylene-THF production from folinic acid |
| MTHFD1 | G1958A (R653Q) | Slows interconversion of folate forms; reduces flow to 5-methyl-THF |
These variants slow the enzyme that converts folate to its active methylated form, which is why folinic acid can accumulate without fully resolving methylation deficits.
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Smont
Legend
If I throw the claims out the window, do you think it would be a good addition for someone looking at brain health, cognitive function, mental decline from age.
LIke....... Collagen is great, it does lots of stuff for our skin and joints , but we don't notice a ton it's just working in the background.
Could methylfolate be something like that for brain health?
vlsk10
Member
Start low in that case. 500mcg L-5MTHF - and gradually increase if needed because if your dad's methylation is sluggish already - he may become even worse - see overmethylation and undermethylation symtoms - which can aggrevate brain fog, low mood, histamine release and dementia on the one side and on the other make him very speedy due to overload in dopamine/serotonin leading to (heart palipitations - very nasty feeling) - so you have to find balance., the right dose, the right amount per week. some people also make the mistake of taking it dailey -which can also make people go from balance to over/under methylating very quickly. some people prefer taking it e2d, e3d for that reason.
In terms of mood and well being - look into things like TMG that also converts into sam-e. You mention collagen already. Creatine and high concentrated fish oil with at least a 70 % omega 3 fatty acids per 1000mg of fish oil. Black tea/green tea has kept my grandmother 97 y.o healthy in her mind. But unfortunetly the muscles have given up at this stage and she's got glaucoma so she can't see clearly. But she's sharp as hell.
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Smont
Legend
Sorry, I edited the last post, my dad has Parkinson's not Alzheimer's. Not sure why I did that, maybe I got Alzheimer's lol. Im Just researching right now, I'm not starting him taking anything I don't completely understand. But at the same time, Dad knows he's kinda the guinea pig here. It's hard to make him take anything regularly to being with. It being in SNS multi will kill 2 birds with on stone tho. As far as methylation goes, I don't believe there's any signs of that. I looked up 10 signs your methylation needs help and he doesn't have any of the symptoms unless Parkinson's itself is the symptoms. So possibly 1 of the 10 symptoms I guess.
vlsk10
Member
Try it but I think you should chatgpt every possibility of side effects. Since methylfolate can increase both dopamine and serotonin-through sam-e - it would still be wise to follow and study your dad's symptoms very carefully. I don't know much about Parkinsons other than the shaking part and that their own production of dopamine/serotonin is way off compared to someone who doesn't have the condition right? So you don't want him to become even more Moody. Or in worst case scenario he becomes a horney son of a gun with very risky like behaviour
like gambling in Vegas and hooking up with girls and spending it all on black
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sns8778
Board Sponsor
It could be, but there are a lot of other things I would consider better.
Focus XT has so many ingredients for brain health and cognitive support that I could write a series of articles about it.
Sabroxy XT and Polygala XT I would rank above it too.
You should look at the formula and science on Focus XT. There is a caffeine free version that would be excellent for people in those situations.
Link - https://seriousnutritionsolutions.com/product/focus-xt/
Thread - https://anabolicminds.com/community...y-focus-concentration-motivation-more.340262/
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