Folate, L-5-MTHFExtrafolate-S®
Folate as 5-MTHF (Extrafolate-S®).
Brand / technology by Gnosis by Lesaffre
Extrafolate-S® supplies vitamin B9 as 5-MTHF in the form of calcium L-methylfolate. We chose it for B-Complex, which brings all eight B vitamins together in one daily capsule.
Why this matters
5-MTHF, alongside B6 and B12 in B-Complex.
- A role in reducing tiredness
Folate contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. It is one of the eight B vitamins in B-Complex.
- Why we chose 5-MTHF
Extrafolate-S® supplies 5-MTHF as calcium L-methylfolate, the folate ingredient used in B-Complex.
- 500 µg in one daily capsule
B-Complex combines 500 µg folate with the other seven B vitamins, including B6 and B12, in a vegan capsule.
5-MTHF as calcium L-methylfolate
Extrafolate-S® supplies (6S)-5-MTHF as calcium L-methylfolate, the folate ingredient used in B-Complex.
Recognised as a folate source
The EFSA Panel on Nutrition (NDA) has assessed calcium-L-methylfolate and (6S)-5-MTHF for conversion into dietary folate equivalents — i.e. it is recognised as a dietary source of folate.
Published research
Human studies help explain the choice of folate form. Prinz-Langenohl et al. (2009, PMID 19917061) found higher short-term blood folate exposure with 5-MTHF in 24 women; Pentieva et al. (2004, PMID 14988450) found equivalent exposure in 13 men under different study conditions. These findings do not establish better health outcomes for B-Complex. The sources below add a study protocol, a review and an EFSA assessment.
- PubMed
Cochrane et al. (2020)
Pilot randomised-controlled-trial protocol comparing (6S)-5-MTHF with folic acid for raising serum and red-blood-cell folate in pregnancy.
TrialsPubMed/MEDLINE
- PubMed
Samaniego-Vaesken et al. (2024)
Evidence-based narrative review of folic acid versus 5-methyltetrahydrofolate supplementation.
NutrientsPubMed/MEDLINE, Review
- Source
EFSA NDA Panel (2022)
Scientific opinion on the conversion of calcium-L-methylfolate and (6S)-5-MTHF into dietary folate equivalents.
EFSA JournalEFSA scientific opinion
