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Life Extension High Potency Optimized Folate
Life Extension's take on folate, in a tablets format that is easy to keep to day after day.
Why people take it
- Folate contributes to normal blood formation
- Folate contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy
- Folate contributes to normal amino acid synthesis
How to use
Take as directed on the pack, ideally with food and at the same time each day.
Good to know
- Format: tablets
- Caffeine free
A food supplement, not a substitute for a varied diet and healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the stated dose. Keep out of reach of children.
At a glance
£0.57
per daily dose
Strong
evidence for folate (folic acid, methylfolate)
Our honest take
A very high-dose methylfolate tablet: 8,500 µg DFE each, which is about 5,000 µg of methylfolate, or 25 times the daily reference intake. That is five times the UK guidance level of 1 mg of supplemental folate a day, and high doses can hide the signs of vitamin B12 deficiency. Some people are prescribed high-dose folate by their doctor, but it is not something to take on your own.
- A doctor has advised you to take a high dose of folate and you prefer methylfolate
- You have not been advised to take high-dose folate: a standard 400 µg product is enough for most needs
- You are trying for a baby: the NHS advises 400 µg of folic acid, or 5 mg only if prescribed
- You are older or vegan and not taking B12, or take methotrexate or epilepsy medicines
The science
Folate (folic acid, methylfolate)· evidence: Strong
Folate is a B vitamin needed for making red blood cells and for cell division. The strongest evidence is for women who could become pregnant: taking 400 µg of folic acid a day from before conception until 12 weeks of pregnancy lowers the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. The NHS advises this for everyone trying for a baby, and some women are prescribed a higher 5 mg dose by their doctor.
Outside pregnancy planning, most people get enough folate from green vegetables, pulses and fortified cereals, and UK flour is due to be fortified with folic acid from the end of 2026. Extra folate has not been shown to help people who are not short of it.
Folic acid is the form used in the pregnancy studies. Methylfolate (5-MTHF, sold as Quatrefolic or Metafolin) is the active form and is a reasonable alternative, including for people with MTHFR gene variants, but marketing around MTHFR often overstates the problem. Most people with these variants handle folic acid well.
Folate contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy. Folate contributes to normal amino acid synthesis. Folate contributes to normal blood formation. Folate contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism. Folate contributes to normal psychological function. Folate contributes to the normal function of the immune system. Folate contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Folate has a role in the process of cell division. (Applies where a daily dose gives at least 15% of the NRV, i.e. 30 µg.)
Supplemental folic acid intake increases maternal folate status. Low maternal folate status is a risk factor in the development of neural tube defects in the developing foetus. (Folic acid only, at least 400 µg per daily dose; for women of child-bearing age, with the information that the beneficial effect is obtained with a supplemental folic acid daily intake of 400 µg for at least one month before and up to three months after conception.)
Typical dose: Adults need about 200 µg a day from all sources (NRV: 200 µg). Before conception to 12 weeks of pregnancy: 400 µg of folic acid a day (NHS), or 5 mg if prescribed.
Safety: The UK guidance level is 1 mg (1,000 µg) of folic acid a day from supplements unless a doctor advises more. High doses of folic acid can hide the signs of vitamin B12 deficiency, which matters most for older adults and vegans, so get B12 checked if you take high-dose folate long term. Folate can interact with some epilepsy medicines and methotrexate: check with your GP or pharmacist.
Research we looked at:
NHS. Vitamins, supplements and nutrition in pregnancy. nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/vitamins-supplements-and-nutrition
De-Regil LM et al. Effects and safety of periconceptional oral folate supplementation for preventing birth defects. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015;(12):CD007950.
EFSA NDA Panel. Scientific opinion on dietary reference values for folate. EFSA Journal 2014;12(11):3893.
Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals (2003). Safe Upper Levels for Vitamins and Minerals. Food Standards Agency.
Ingredients & nutrition
Always check the pack you receive, as manufacturers sometimes update recipes.
How to use
Price per dose & how it compares
| Product | Size | Price | Per daily dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| This product | 30 vegetarian tabs | £17.23 | £0.57 |
| Life Extension Optimized Folate | from £15.02 | £0.15 | |
| Jarrow Formulas Methyl Folate | from £10.49 | £0.17 | |
| Osavi MethylFolate & Methyl-B12 | from £9.99 | £0.12 |
Cost per daily dose lets you compare packs of different sizes fairly.Worked out from our current prices.
Food supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. General information, not medical advice. Speak to your GP or pharmacist first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition or take medication.
Life Extension's take on folate, in a tablets format that is easy to keep to day after day.
Why people take it
- Folate contributes to normal blood formation
- Folate contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy
- Folate contributes to normal amino acid synthesis
How to use
Take as directed on the pack, ideally with food and at the same time each day.
Good to know
- Format: tablets
- Caffeine free
A food supplement, not a substitute for a varied diet and healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the stated dose. Keep out of reach of children.
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