Methylfolate
Methylfolate is a form of vitamin B9 that can be used as a supplement to support mental health and overall well-being.
Several studies have found that methylfolate can help with depression, particularly when used alongside other treatments. It has also been noted for its potential benefits in managing symptoms related to diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Additionally, the supplement may enhance recovery from mental illness and improve outcomes in children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders.
Methylfolate is most notably linked to improvements in depression, where it shows strong evidence of efficacy. It also connects well to reduced inflammation, which can contribute to better overall health and potentially aid in cognitive protection against decline. Furthermore, methylfolate may help alleviate anxiety and improve sleep quality, though the evidence for these effects is less robust.
The evidence supporting some benefits, especially outside of depression, comes from cohort studies rather than more rigorous randomized controlled trials, indicating a need for further research to fully establish its effectiveness across different conditions.
Sources
- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of L-Methylfolate Augmentation in Depressive Disorders. (PMID:34794190)
- L-Methylfolate in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Narrative Review. (PMID:37088147)
- A Review of l-Methylfolate as Adjunctive Therapy in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder. (PMID:37192264)
- Enhancement of recovery from mental illness with l-methylfolate supplementation. (PMID:28597528)
- L-Methylfolate Calcium Supplementation in Adolescents and Children: A Retrospective Analysis. (PMID:31291206)
- Clinician guidelines for the treatment of psychiatric disorders with nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals: The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) and Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) Taskforce. (PMID:35311615)
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Connections
Methylfolate helps
Methylfolate protects against
Sources
- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of L-Methylfolate Augmentation in Depressive Disorders. (2022) pubmed
- L-Methylfolate in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Narrative Review. (2023) pubmed
- A Review of l-Methylfolate as Adjunctive Therapy in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder. (2023) pubmed
- Enhancement of recovery from mental illness with l-methylfolate supplementation. (2018) pubmed
- L-Methylfolate Calcium Supplementation in Adolescents and Children: A Retrospective Analysis. (2019) pubmed
- Clinician guidelines for the treatment of psychiatric disorders with nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals: The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) and Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) Taskforce. (2022) pubmed
- Effect of Methylfolate, Pyridoxal-5'-Phosphate, and Methylcobalamin (Soloways(TM)) Supplementation on Homocysteine and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in Patients with Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase, Methionine Synthase, and Methionine Synthase Reductase Polymorphisms: A Randomized Controlled Trial. (2024) pubmed
- Folic acid/methylfolate for the treatment of psychopathology in schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2018) pubmed
- Effect of combination therapy of methylfolate with antidepressants in patients with depressive disorder. (2025) pubmed
- L-methylfolate, methylcobalamin, and N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease-related cognitive decline. (2010) pubmed