It’s a curious question that hovers in the mind of every person who uses methylfolate supplements. Its reason is simple methylfolate, also known with many different names and its various types are available, and people are baffled which one is best and suitable for us. It’s good for you to understand the types of methylfolate because you have to spend money. Stick here, and read the full article attentively that may help you. 

What is methylfolate?

As you know, methylfolate is the active end product of folate and folic acid that generate your body with the aid of the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTHFR). It is a methylated vitamin and initiates the methylation process of your body. There are different types of methylfolate available naturally and through pharmaceutical supplements. Types of methylfolate are listed below. 

It is used to lower the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and teens. Methylfolate is a critical nutrient that engages with various functions of your body. You can get it from natural folate, and methylfolate supplements are also available.

Other names of methylfolate 

Various names are also used for methylfolate, such as;

• L-5-Methylfolate
• L-MTHF
• L-5-MTHF
• L-5-Methylenetetrahydrofolate
• (6S)-5-Methylfolate
• (6S)-5-Methylenetetrahydrofolate
• 5-MTHF
• 5-Methylfolate
• L-Methylfolate Calcium
• DL-Methylfolate
• D-Methylfolate
• (6R)-5-Methylfolate 

Please note that those forms specified with L or (6S)isomer are biologically active methylfolate and have excellent bioavailability. Other forms labeled as D or (6R) are biologically inactive forms, and doctors do not prescribe these forms. 

The remaining forms contain DL or (6R) (6S) isomer are 50% active, and 50% inactive biological forms. 

The best type of methylfolate

All types of methylfolate that are patent, chemically stable, and contain active L or (6S) isomer are effective. Methylfolate is prescribed as a medical food in the form of;

• Deplin®
• Metanx®
• Cerefolin®
• Enlyte®
• Neevo®

These types of methylfolate contain L-methylfolate and doctors prescribed them as food supplements. 

Some important types of methylfolate that are patent and internationally registered such as;

• Quatrefolic®
• Metafolin®
• Extrafolate®
• Magnafolate®

No doubt, these types are patent and registered as international brands,so these would be promising types of methylfolate. However, let’s get nitty-gritty details of each type and find out which one is best. 

Metafolin®

You know metafolin patent is the first generation of methylfolate that contains calcium salt of(6S)-5-MTHF. Metafolin is crystalline, stable patent, and has fewer chances to lose its potency. It is used as a prescription with antidepressant drugs. It is almost free from impurities, and its purity is approximately 98 to 99%.

Extrafolate-S®

Extrafolate also contains calcium salt of (6S)-5-methylenetetrahydrofolate, but it has less stability due to its amorphous form. The difference between metafolin and extrafolate is; metafolin exists in crystalline form and has good stability, but extrafolate in amorphous form has less stability. The purity of extrafolate is almost 98 – 99%.

Quatrefolic®

Quatrefolic consists of glucosamine salt of (6S-5-methylfolate) instead of calcium salt like above patent. Your bloodstream absorbs this type of salt faster than calcium-based salt. But this salt exits in amorphous form and has limited stability. 

Magnafolate® PRO

Magnafolate is a worthy patent and trademarked by a company called Jinkang. It is also another calcium-based salt of (6S)-5-MTHF, like metafolin. Its purity is approximately is 99%, it also exits in crystalline form and has superior stability than other patents. Magnafolate® PRO is a magic brand that contains pure methylfolate more than 3x than other brands of methylfolate. Its high purity, excellent stability, and potency make it the best type of methylfolate than the rest of the types. 

You can use all types of methylfolate described above and prefer the type of methylfolate that is part of your prescription. 

Conclusion

Methylfolate is available in a variety of types; therefore, it’s mandatory to have knowledge of each type. Those types that contain L or (6S) isomer of methylfolate are biologically active forms that are readily absorbed by your body. Magnafolate® PRO proves as the best type of methylfolate among other types due to its high stability, potency and offers 3x more pure form of methylfolate than others patent. Again, only use that form of methylfolate that is prescribed by your healthcare.