ProtokolPROTOKOL
VitaminEmergingVitamin

Vitamin B9 (Folate)

Also known as Methylfolate

Half-life

~3 hours

What is Vitamin B9 (Folate)?

Essential B vitamin for DNA synthesis, cell division, and methylation. Critical during pregnancy. Methylfolate is the active form.

How Vitamin B9 (Folate) works

As tetrahydrofolate, carries one-carbon units for purine and pyrimidine synthesis (DNA/RNA), serine-glycine conversion, and the methionine cycle — essential for methylation of DNA and neurotransmitter production.

Benefits & uses

  • Supports methylation/homocysteine control
  • Better absorbed than folic acid
  • Mood/cognitive support
  • Works with B12

Common uses: DNA synthesis, homocysteine reduction, neural tube defect prevention, mood support, methylation.

Cognitive

Vitamin B9 (Folate) dosage

Typical dose
General: 400–800 mcg/day as methylfolate. Pregnancy: 800–1200 mcg. MTHFR variant: use 5-MTHF only.

Vitamin B9 (Folate) half-life

~3 hours (plasma); tissue stores 3–6 months

Vitamin B9 (Folate) side effects

Very safe. High doses may mask B12 deficiency. Use methylfolate (5-MTHF) not folic acid if MTHFR variant.

  • Masks vitamin B12 deficiency — always combine with B12
  • Rare: sleep disturbances or irritability at high doses of methylfolate
  • Folic acid (synthetic) less bioavailable than methylfolate
  • Well tolerated

Warnings & monitoring

  • Rule out B12 deficiency before high-dose folate (methyl-trap)

Commonly stacked with

Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)

Track Vitamin B9 (Folate) in Protokol.

Log doses, model half-lives, check interactions, and line it all up against your bloodwork. Free on iPhone and Android.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

More Vitamin

For research and educational purposes only. This page is not medical advice and is not a recommendation to use any compound. Many compounds listed are not approved for human use, and some are prescription-only or controlled in your jurisdiction. Dosing figures are reference or observational reports. Talk to a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing anything. Protokol is for tracking purposes only.