Vitamin
Folate (L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate)
Also known as: 5-MTHF, methylfolate, L-methylfolate, folinic acid
An essential B-vitamin required for DNA synthesis, cell division, and methylation reactions. L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate is the bioactive form and primary circulating form in blood.
Last reviewed June 2026 · Evidence graded from peer-reviewed research, not editorial opinion. Educational only — not medical advice.
Every Folate (L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate) product we have scored
| # | Product | Score | Per serving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thorne 5-MTHF 5 mg | 96 A | $1.13 |
| 2 | Thorne Craving and Stress Support | 93 A | $1.33 |
| 3 | Thorne Methyl-Guard® | 93 A | $0.93 |
| 4 | Thorne Methyl-Guard Plus | 91 A | $2.07 |
| 5 | Thorne 5-MTHF 1 mg | 90 A | $0.40 |
| 6 | Complement ForHer Hormone Balance and Longevity Multivitamin for Women | 89 A | $0.67 |
| 7 | Nutricost Pre-Workout For Women Powder | 89 A | $0.73 |
| 8 | Nutricost Pre-Workout Complex | 89 A | $0.83 |
| 9 | Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw B-Complex | 89 A | $0.50 |
| 10 | Thorne Advanced Nutrients | 88 A | $2.40 |
| 11 | Thorne Basic Nutrients 2/Day | 88 A | $0.60 |
| 12 | Thorne Basic Prenatal | 88 A | $1.23 |
Scored on dose accuracy, form, label transparency and third-party testing. Per-serving cost is list price divided by servings per container. No brand pays to be listed or ranked.
Common questions
How much Folate (L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate) should I take?
The typical range is 200-800 mcg daily. essential for preconception and throughout pregnancy and lactation
When should I take Folate (L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate)?
any time of day. optional; take consistently.
Which form of Folate (L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate) is best?
L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (preferred). Other forms in the catalog: folic acid (synthetic), folinic acid.
Which Folate (L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate) supplement scores highest?
Thorne 5-MTHF 5 mg, at 96/100. Scored on dose accuracy, form, label transparency and third-party testing — no brand pays to be listed or ranked.
Daily target & upper limit
400 mcg / day · UL 1000 mcgFolate (L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate) has an established daily reference intake. See best forms, label synonyms, upper-limit warnings, and top-scoring supplements:
Folate (L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate) dosage reference →Primary uses
- pregnancy support
- neural tube defect prevention
- DNA synthesis
- methylation support
How it works
- one-carbon unit transfer for nucleotide synthesis
- supports homocysteine metabolism
- facilitates methylation reactions
Dosage
- Typical range
- 200-800 mcg daily
- Timing
- any time of day
- With food
- optional; take consistently
- Duration
- essential for preconception and throughout pregnancy and lactation
- Special populations
- pregnant women: 400-800 mcg daily (higher doses for MTHFR variants or prior NTD); lactating women: 500 mcg daily
Forms
- L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (preferred)· 70/100
- folic acid (synthetic)· 70/100
- folinic acid· 70/100
Safety
Contraindications
- avoid high doses in undiagnosed B12 deficiency
Products containing Folate (L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate)
Top-scoring supplements in our catalog that list Folate (L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate) on the label. Each product is graded on Formulate's ingredient-level rubric — dose accuracy, form, transparency, and third-party testing.
Evidence notes
Strong RCT evidence for neural tube defect prevention in pregnancy. 400 mcg daily standard prenatal recommendation from ACOG and CDC.
Grade A: Multiple well-designed human trials support the main claims.
Related in Vitamin
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Medical disclaimer. This page is educational and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare provider. Individual needs and risks vary — consult a professional before starting, stopping, or combining supplements, especially if you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication, or managing a health condition.