5-MTHF (L-methylfolate (also known as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate))

5-MTHF, also known as L-methylfolate, is a form of vitamin B9 that can be found naturally in foods such as leafy green vegetables, fruits, and beans. It is a biologically active form of folate that is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and participate in the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

Benefits of 5-MTHF (L-methylfolate (also known as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate))

• 5-MTHF may help improve depression symptoms. Clinical studies have assessed supplemental use of L-methylfolate in patients with usual care-resistant depression and found that it resulted in a significant improvement in depressive symptoms.
• 5-MTHF may help improve cognitive function. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that 5-MTHF supplementation improved cognitive function in healthy adults over the age of 60.
• 5-MTHF may help improve cardiovascular health. Studies have shown that 5-MTHF can help reduce homocysteine levels, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• 5-MTHF may help improve neuropathy symptoms in diabetic patients.

Case studies

• A case study found that high-dose L-methylfolate therapy led to a drastic improvement in a patient’s mood and energy. URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7572139/
• A study found that L-methylfolate supplementation improved depressive symptoms in patients with usual care-resistant depression. URL: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cns-spectrums/article/good-better-best-clinical-scenarios-for-the-use-of-lmethylfolate-in-patients-with-mdd/732A84D8B7A05A6F2B26E23BF4487C57
• A study found that L-methylfolate may help improve depression symptoms and is being studied as an alternative to folic acid. URL: https://supplements.selfdecode.com/blog/l-methylfolate-health-benefits/
• A study found that L-methylfolate can help improve neuropathy symptoms in diabetic patients. URL: https://www.dietvsdisease.org/l-methylfolate-5-mthf/
• A study found that L-methylfolate supplementation improved cognitive function in healthy adults over the age of 60. URL: https://www.dietvsdisease.org/l-methylfolate-5-mthf/

Recommended dosage

The recommended dosage of 5-MTHF varies depending on the individual and the specific condition being treated. In some people, L-methylfolate can cause side effects such as anxiety or digestive symptoms. Supplementing L-methylfolate bypasses the body’s natural checkpoints for preventing over-methylation, so it is important to be cautious with the dosage as unnatural levels of folate are linked with several issues including cancer risk. L-methylfolate is also unsuitable for those who take certain medications or have some health conditions.

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3869616/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7572139/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24494987/
4. https://www.dietvsdisease.org/l-methylfolate-5-mthf/
5. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/l-methylfolate-depression
6. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cns-spectrums/article/good-better-best-clinical-scenarios-for-the-use-of-lmethylfolate-in-patients-with-mdd/732A84D8B7A05A6F2B26E23BF4487C57