Calcium L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate (L-5-MTHF-Ca)
Purity: ≥ 98 % (HPLC)
- Chemical name: (6S)-5-Methyltetrahydrofolic acid, calcium salt
- Synonyms: L-5-MTHF-Ca, Calcium L-Methylfolate, Metafolin® equivalent
- CAS: 151533-22-1
- Appearance: White crystalline powder
- Bioavailability: ~1.7× higher than folic acid on molar basis (DFE)
- Stability: 24–36 months at room temperature
- Certifications: Halal, Kosher, Non-GMO
- Packaging: 1 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg triple-layer aluminum bags with desiccant + dedicated stability batch retained
What’s Calcium L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate (L-5-MTHF-Ca)?
Calcium L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate (also called L-5-MTHF-Ca or calcium levomefolate) is the calcium salt of the biologically active form of folate known as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), which is the active, methylated form of folate (vitamin B9).
For some people, regular folic acid is less effective because regular folic acid must be converted through several enzymatic steps into 5-MTHF to become active in the body. While L-5-MTHF-Ca doesn’t require metabolic activation- it bypasses the MTHFR enzyme entirely and the body can use it directly without needing further conversion, making it the gold standard for people who have trouble converting regular folic acid.
Commercial production of Calcium L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate is almost exclusively via chemical synthesis (not fermentation or extraction from natural sources). It is preferred in prenatal vitamins, medical foods, and supplements for people with MTHFR mutations, folate deficiency, depression (as an adjunct), or high homocysteine levels.
Calcium L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate (L-5-MTHF-Ca) Uses
Prenatal and women’s health supplements: Preferred active folate in high-end prenatal vitamins (prevents neural tube defects even in women with MTHFR polymorphisms).
Functional food & beverages: Fortification (increasingly replacing folic acid in premium products in Europe and North America). Some premium formulas now use L-5-MTHF instead of folic acid.
Pharmaceuticals: Treatment of folate-deficiency anemia when MTHFR mutations are present or adjunct in major depressive disorder.
Cardiovascular health: Lowers homocysteine more effectively than folic acid, especially in people with MTHFR variants.
About the supplier
Xi’an Rainbow Biotech Co., Ltd is a professional supplier of crystalline Calcium L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate, the most advanced, stable, and bioavailable form of active folate on the market today. We already supply many of the fastest-growing prenatal, medical-food, and clean-label brands in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. If you are still using folic acid or paying European premium prices for active folate, contact us today for samples, full technical files, and a custom commercial proposal.
