folic acid + 5-methyltetrahydrofolate

A combination of **folic acid** (synthetic, oxidized form of folate) and **5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF)** (the primary natural, bioactive form of folate in circulation). Both are B9 vitamers involved in one-carbon metabolism crucial for DNA synthesis, methylation, and amino acid metabolism. Folic acid requires metabolic reduction by dihydrofolate reductase to become biologically active, whereas 5-MTHF is directly bioavailable and bypasses genetic and functional limitations of folic acid metabolism[1][5]. This combination is used in dietary supplements, especially prenatal vitamins, to ensure adequate folate levels in populations with potentially variable folic acid metabolism due to MTHFR polymorphisms, or in settings where maximizing serum folate (especially 5-MTHF) is desired to prevent neural tube defects, correct deficiency, and support overall methylation pathways[3][5].

Other names

folate mixfolic acid and 5-MTHFfolic acid and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate