Folate (methylfolate)
An essential B vitamin needed for DNA synthesis and cell division, and critical in very early pregnancy. The methylated form (5-MTHF) does not require the MTHFR conversion step.
Also known as folic acid, L-methylfolate, 5-MTHF, vitamin B9.
At a glance
Updated monthly · checked 17 h agoFolate (methylfolate) is a vitamin marketed as a fertility supplement. It is not a fertility drug. Its computed evidence score is ~88/100. The one non-negotiable: adequate folate before and during early pregnancy is genuinely evidence-based; the methylfolate-versus-folic-acid upsell is mostly marketing for most people.
- Randomized trials
- 301
- Systematic reviews
- 453Computed
- Real product labels indexed
- 20 in the NIH DSLD
A prenatal core nutrient, marketed to support conception and prevent birth defects; methylfolate is marketed as superior for people with MTHFR variants.
The one non-negotiable: adequate folate before and during early pregnancy is genuinely evidence-based; the methylfolate-versus-folic-acid upsell is mostly marketing for most people.
What the evidence says
Computed from the volume and type of primary studies, not the strength of the marketing. Each figure below links to its live search.
There is strong, well-established evidence that adequate folate before and in early pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube defects, and health authorities recommend it. Evidence that methylfolate is superior to folic acid for most people, or that folate raises fertility itself, is weak.
- Teratogenesis, Perinatal, and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes After In Utero Exposure to Antiseizure Medication2024 · 136 citations
- Unveiling the Therapeutic Potential of Folate-Dependent One-Carbon Metabolism in Cancer and Neurodegeneration2024 · 58 citations
- Fluorescence sensors for folic acid detection based on two Cd(II) CPs of 1,5-naphthalenedisulfonate with bis(benzimidazole) and bis(2-methyl-imidazole) ligands2025 · 41 citations
- Maternal nutrition and its effects on fetal neurodevelopment2024 · 36 citations
- Daily oral iron supplementation during pregnancy2024 · 34 citations
Source: europepmc+pubmed+openalex · as of Sep 25, 2026
Real product labels
Actual marketed supplement products indexed by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. A product being on a shelf is not evidence it works.
- Folate GoldOff marketNutriGoldCapsule
- Folate 1,000Pure EncapsulationsCapsule
- Folate 400Pure EncapsulationsCapsule
- Folate 5,000Pure EncapsulationsCapsule
- Intrinsi B12/FolateOff marketMetagenicsTablet or Pill
- Q-FolateOff marketPatient One 1 MediNutritionalsCapsule
- Active B12-FolateOff marketProTheraTablet or Pill
- Folate 1000 mcgOff marketPhysioLogicsTablet or Pill
- Folate 5,000 PlusOff marketPure EncapsulationsCapsule
- Folate 5,000 PlusOff marketPure EncapsulationsCapsule
- Methyl FolateOff marketBulletproofCapsule
- Folate 5,000Off marketPure EncapsulationsCapsule
- Intrinsi B12/FolateOff marketMetagenicsTablet or Pill
- Folate 5,000Off marketPure EncapsulationsCapsule
- Intrinsi B12-FolateOff marketMetagenicsTablet or Pill
- Methyl FolateOff marketDr. MercolaCapsule
- Methyl B12 + FolateOff marketPureFormulasLozenge
- Folate 1000 mcgOff marketPhysioLogicsTablet or Pill
- Active FolateOff marketSeeking HealthLozenge
- Active FolateSeeking HealthLozenge
Source: NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) · as of Sep 30, 2026
What to watch for
Safe at recommended prenatal doses; very high folic acid intake can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency. This is one supplement with a clear, authoritative recommendation to take before conception.
What it actually is
Folate (methylfolate) is a single, characterized compound. Its structure, molecular formula, weight, and synonyms are on its PubChem compound record. For how folate works in the body (DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, and fetal neural tube development), see the vitamin B9 explainer on Humanome, a human body reference made by the same team as this site.
Source: PubChem (PUG-REST)