Methylfolate is the active form of folic acid – which is an essential B vitamin.
Methylfolate is essential for the brain to make the neurotransmitters that prevent depression (norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine).
In other words, a low level of depression can cause or worsen depression because it leads to lower levels of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.
Most of us are able to get plenty of folate (from typical vitamins) and dihydrofolate (from foods) and most of us can then convert these two forms into the active L Methyl Folate.
The brain uses a specific enzyme in order to convert folic acid and folate to methylfolate.
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is the enzyme responsible for activating folic acid and folate. A gene significantly reduces the activity of MTHFR,and therefore reduces the brain’s ability to convert folic acid and folate (the dietary sources of the vitamin) to methylfolate.
Many people with depression may not be aware that they lack the gene that allows their brain to use folate and folic acid from their diet and from typical vitamin supplements, and may not be aware that taking the active form of folate (L methyl folate) may be essential to getting a good response to common antidepressants like Lexapro, Zoloft, Prozac and Paxil.
A number of studies have shown that people with the lower activity gene for MTHFR have a greater risk of developing depression. In addition, several randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that methylfolate supplements can be effective in boosting the response of people with depression to antidepressants. .
Methylfolate is available both as an over-the-counter supplement, and as a medical food requiring a prescription. The prescribed form of methylfolate (Deplin) is much more expensive.
You can find Metabolic Maintenance L Methyl Folate and Life Extension Optimized Folate as well as Jarrow Formulas Methylfolate at Amazon.com
References
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