Strom – Quatrefolic® (methylfolate) – 120 servings

About Quatrefolic®

Quatrefolic® is the glucosamine salt of (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) and is structurally identical to the reduced and active form of folate found in our bodies.

Developed by Gnosis by Lesaffre, Quatrefolic® is the fourth-generation folate, offering improved stability, higher water solubility and more flexibility in multi-ingredient formulations compared to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate calcium salt, providing improved bioavailability.

As the next-generation solution that bypasses the need to convert folic acid in the body, this innovative food ingredient functions as a nutrient in all applications where folic acid and active folate supplementation are recommended.

Folic acid vs active folate: what's the difference?

Although they are often used interchangeably, folic acid and folate are not the same thing.

Folic acid is the inactive precursor of active folate, but has historically been used in dietary supplements and fortified foods.

To become biologically active, folic acid has to go through several transformation steps in the body. These transformation steps turn folic acid into active folate (known as 5-MTHF) as found in Quatrefolic®.

For a long time, fortified foods and supplements were made with folic acid as the sole source of vitamin B9 because folic acid had been shown to be more stable and bioavailable than the forms of folate found in foods.

But new research over the past 10 years has shown that not everyone can convert folic acid into active folate in the same way - meaning that taking supplements containing folic acid may not be effective for some people.

These people have a specific genetic profile that prevents them from producing enough of the enzyme that helps convert folic acid into active 5-MTHF folate. This is known as MTHFR polymorphism.

Because reduced and methylated folates such as Quatrefolic® do not require conversion to active folate, it is a more effective form of folate to take than folic acid, which requires conversion. This is also very beneficial for people with MTHFR polymorphism, as they have a lower capacity to convert folic acid to the active form of folate.

Why is there little information available on this product?

Unfortunately, due to strict EU legislation, we are only allowed to provide limited information on supplements. Only approved claims that appear in the EU database may be mentioned. Results from scientific studies that have not been submitted to the EU for approval are therefore usually not allowed to be shared.

If there are any specific questions about this product, feel free to contact our customer service team for personalised advice.