Folate is the natural form of vitamin B9 found in dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, and cruciferous vegetables. It is also referred to as folic acid.
L-methylfolate is the primary active form of folate in your body, and it can be taken as a supplement to treat low levels of folate in your body. It can be used to treat individuals with low folate levels who are already taking mental health medications. What makes L-methylfolate unique is that it can more easily travel into the brain compared to other versions of folate.
Scientific studies have shown that the use of L-methylfolate can help decrease depression symptoms when used alongside an antidepressant.
Having a balanced diet that includes all the necessary nutrients is important for your mental health. However, since most foods do not contain the active L-methylfolate, dietary supplementation with folate alone may not be adequate.
The main difference between L-methylfolate and folic acid is that L-methylfolate is primarily the biologically active form of folate, whereas folic acid is a synthetic form. Folate is the natural form of vitamin B9 in food, while folic acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B9 found in many multivitamins, fortified foods, and certain pharmaceuticals.
High intake of folic acid may lead to increased blood levels of unmetabolized folic acid, whereas L-methylfolate is more readily absorbed and metabolized by the body, and in particular, it can more easily travel to the brain.
Sometimes, certain genetic mutations can further inhibit the body's ability to convert folic acid into the active form, L-methylfolate. In cases like this, taking a supplement with L-methylfolate may be more beneficial than taking one with folic acid.
Various researchers are currently studying the impact of L-methylfolate on depression.
In one study where two parallel investigations were conducted, the researchers found that when 15 mg/day of L-methylfolate was given to patients, there was a significant improvement in the depressive symptoms of patients who received L-methylfolate compared to those who received a placebo.
These parallel investigations support that when given in the proper dosage, L-methylfolate may improve depression symptoms. In particular, patients who have experienced minimal improvement with antidepressants, have folate deficiencies, or have risk factors for inflammation may benefit the most from adding L-methylfolate to their treatment plan.
Additional studies have shown that the supplemental use of L-methyfolate can help improve outcomes in individuals with treatment-resistant depression. Patients with MDD who used L-methylfolate alongside another medication for depression reported significant improvement in their functioning in social situations, at home, and at work.
Although the use of L-methylfolate to assist with reducing depression symptoms needs additional study, the results so far are promising.
Folate deficiencies usually happen alongside other nutritional deficiencies, such as iron deficiency or vitamin B-12 deficiency.
You are more at risk of a folate deficiency if you have the following:
Folate deficiencies are also more common among females than males. It is also more common among non-Hispanic Black females.
Folate is a necessary vitamin for many different bodily functions. It has many health benefits:
There are many food sources where you can access folate or folic acid:
Taking folate in moderate amounts is not dangerous for most individuals. Compared to other medications for depression, L-methylfolate is well tolerated. However, taking large quantities of folates could pose health risks, which is why you don’t want to take too much.
A few risks include:
Always check with your doctor before taking any dietary supplements.
Supplements are not regulated by the FDA like medications, so you should only purchase supplements from brands that have been evaluated for quality. Supplements are not FDA-approved to treat depression.
Finding the proper treatment when you have treatment-resistant depression can be challenging. L-methylfolate supplements can be used alongside other depression treatment options to boost their effect.
At Options MD, natural supplements, such as folate and L-methylfolate, are one of the 200 treatment options our expert team will consider when putting together a custom plan for your treatment-resistant depression.
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