5-MTHF Folate (Quatrefolic)
The biologically active form of folate - directly utilisable without MTHFR enzyme conversion. Standard folic acid requires two conversion steps; ~40% of people have MTHFR variants reducing efficiency. Quatrefolic bypasses this. Essential for DNA synthesis, homocysteine clearance, and neural tube formation.
Mechanism
5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) is the predominant circulating form of folate and the direct substrate for methionine synthase - donating its methyl group to convert homocysteine to methionine (with methylcobalamin B12 as cofactor). This regenerates methionine for the SAM cycle and clears potentially harmful homocysteine from the bloodstream.
Standard folic acid (the form in most supplements) requires two MTHFR enzyme steps to reach 5-MTHF. MTHFR C677T - a common SNP present in ~40% of individuals - significantly reduces this conversion efficiency, meaning folic acid supplementation leaves many people with inadequate active folate despite nominally meeting NRV targets. Quatrefolic is the (6S)-5-MTHF glucosamine salt - the stereochemically pure, bioidentical active form that bypasses MTHFR entirely.
Key Benefits
- Directly bioactive - no MTHFR conversion required
- Clears homocysteine via methionine synthase with B12
- Critical for DNA synthesis and cell division
- Bypasses MTHFR C677T conversion impairment (~40% of people)
- 400mcg = 200% UK NRV
The Research
Peer-reviewed human trials supporting this ingredient at this dose.
5-MTHF Folate (Quatrefolic)
400mcgGlucosamine salt of (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate - Gnosis Quatrefolic
Any time of day. 5-MTHF is the active folate form - directly utilisable without MTHFR-mediated conversion. Particularly important for the ~40% of people with MTHFR C677T polymorphism.