Nature Made Folic Acid 400 mcg Tablets Review
Nature Made Folic Acid 400 mcg Tablets are presented as an important B vitamin for women of childbearing age. Each tablet provides 400 mcg of folic acid, equivalent to 665 mcg DFE. The page explains that folic acid, also known as folate and folacin from dietary sources, helps support the nervous system. It states that it plays a critical role in the proper development of the baby's nervous system, and that adequate folic acid in healthful diets may reduce a woman's risk of having a child with a neural tube defect. The product is described as a little nutritional support for a whole lot of nervous system development. The label lists 665 mcg Folate (400 mcg Folic Acid) and 45 mg Calcium per serving. The serving size is one tablet. The suggested use for adults is one tablet daily with water and a meal. The product is marked as women's health and carries a tablet strength icon of 400 mcg. The page highlights that Nature Made Folic Acid 400 mcg is made from carefully selected ingredients under strict manufacturing processes. It also says the brand is the number one pharmacist recommended letter vitamin brand, based on a U.S. News and World Report and Pharmacy Times survey. The product is United States Pharmacopeia verified, meaning USP has tested and verified ingredients, potency and manufacturing process. Product facts note that folate is sourced from high quality ingredients and can be found in green leafy vegetables. The page lists no artificial flavors, no preservatives, no color added and gluten free. The nutrient shortfalls section notes that only 24 percent of U.S. women of childbearing age consume the recommended intake of folic acid, and that supplementation should begin before conception because the neural tube forms by day 28 of gestation. Good food sources include spinach, lentils, garbanzo beans, and fortified spaghetti or white rice. The interactions section advises consulting a healthcare professional before use if taking medications, and it warns that folic acid should be used with caution with seizure medications such as Dilantin and Mysoline. The page states that folic acid intake from all sources should not exceed 1,000 mcg daily. The product is listed as a one-time purchase at $6.99, with a subscribe and save option at $6.29 per shipment. The product is marked as discontinued and no longer available for purchase on this page.
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Study, Trial or Testing Result Summary
Members Only54 human studies · 24 improved
Folate is at a full dose here, above the 500 micrograms that worked in studies. Most of the evidence for mood comes from adults with depression who added folate to a med medicine. A large pooled analysis of 192 trials with 17,437 adults found that adding folate eased depression more than medicine alone [1]. An analysis of nine trials with 1,061 adults agreed, with side effects similar to placebo [2]. A review of 20 trials with 2,256 adults found that folate, along with other B vitamins and vitamin D, lowered depression scores [3]. A pooled analysis of about 500 adults found a modest benefit from the methylfolate form [4]. Not every study agreed. In a trial of 475 adults on meds, 5 milligrams of folic acid a day for 12 weeks did not improve mood [5]. A seven-year trial of 4,331 older women found folic acid with other B vitamins did not prevent depression [6]. The small amount of calcium has no good evidence for mood. In one trial, the benefit came from the other ingredients, since both groups took calcium [7]. Animal and cell studies are never counted.
See all 54 studies →Hide the studies
- In a pooled analysis of 192 trials with 17,437 adults with depression across 44 supplements, adding folate to a med medicine eased depressive symptoms more than a med alone.Comparative efficacy and tolerability of nutraceuticals for depressive disorder: A systematic review and network meta-an…
- In nine trials with 1,061 adults with major depression, adding folate beat placebo for improving depressive symptoms, with similar side effects and dropouts.Adjunctive folate for major mental disorders: A systematic review.
- In pooled trials of about 500 adults with major depression, adding L-methylfolate to meds gave a modest improvement in depressive symptoms and response compared with meds alone.Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of L-Methylfolate Augmentation in Depressive Disorders.
- In people with schizophrenia, adding folate to antipsychotics did not improve depressive symptoms or total symptoms more than placebo, though negative symptoms improved slightly.Folic acid/methylfolate for the treatment of psychopathology in schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- In three trials with 247 people with depression, adding folate to other treatment lowered depression scores by about 2.65 more points over 10 weeks, but folate alone was not better than trazodone.Folate for depressive disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- This pooled analysis found people with depression had somewhat lower blood folate and dietary folate than people without depression, but it did not test supplements.The association of folate and depression: A meta-analysis.
- A review of many meta-analyses found folate linked to lower risk of death and many chronic diseases, but also to adverse effects including depression, prostate cancer and asthma.Association Between Folate and Health Outcomes: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses.
- A review of 13 observational studies of 12,742 pregnant and postpartum women found low folate intake, along with low calcium and iron, was associated with maternal depression.Association of Maternal depression with diet: A systematic review.
- Across 20 randomized trials with 2,256 adults, folic acid or L-methylfolate, along with other B vitamins and vitamin D, lowered depression scores, either added to standard medicine or used alone.Efficacy of B-vitamins and vitamin D therapy in improving depressive and anxiety disorders: a systematic review of rando…
- In three trials with 247 people with depression, adding folate to other treatment lowered depression scores by about 2.65 more points at ten weeks, while folate in place of trazodone showed no significant benefit.Folate for depressive disorders.
- A systematic review of nutrient treatments for bipolar disorder found that preliminary randomized trials suggest folate may help reduce manic symptoms, but the evidence is limited and needs larger studies.Nutrient-based therapies for bipolar disorder: a systematic review.
- In a review of 14 trials in women, folate did not reduce anxiety in older women, whereas vitamin B6 did.The impact of essential fatty acid, B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium and zinc supplementation on stress levels in women:…
- A review of 23 trials and open-label studies, 9 of them in major depression, found folate supplements, especially 5-methylfolate, were linked to better clinical outcomes in several psychiatric conditions and were well tolerated.The potential use of folate and its derivatives in treating psychiatric disorders: A systematic review.
- Of 58 studies on pregnancy-related depression, 31 found lower folate, vitamin B12, iron, zinc or vitamin D linked to depression, with the evidence for folate considered mixed and inconclusive.A Systematic Review of the Correlation Between Micronutrient Levels and Perinatal Depression.
- In 4331 women aged around 64, daily folic acid 2.5 mg with vitamin B6 and B12 for about 7 years did not reduce the risk of developing depression compared with placebo, even though homocysteine levels fell.Effect of long-term supplementation with folic acid and B vitamins on risk of depression in older women.
- In rural Malawi, pregnant women given a fat-rich nutrient supplement, a multiple-micronutrient capsule, or iron-folate capsules had similar depressive symptoms at 6 months after birth, so the supplement did not reduce postnatal depression.The impact of maternal diet fortification with lipid-based nutrient supplements on postpartum depression in rural Malawi…
- In 475 adults with moderate to severe depression taking meds, adding 5 mg per day of folic acid for 12 weeks did not improve mood or quality of life compared with placebo.Folate Augmentation of Treatment--Evaluation for Depression (FolATED): randomised trial and economic evaluation.
- In 459 Guatemalan women, weekly and daily folic acid combined with iron, zinc and vitamin B-12 for 12 weeks lowered depression scores by 2.3 points on average, with no difference between the weekly and daily groups. Lower red blood cell folate at baseline was linked to more depressive symptoms, though this association was not statistically significant.Micronutrient supplementation may reduce symptoms of depression in Guatemalan women.
- In 225 hospitalised older patients, a daily multi-nutrient drink providing 100% of recommended vitamins and minerals (including folate) for 6 weeks led to fewer depressive symptoms than placebo at 6 months. Folate was not studied alone.Effects of dietary supplements on depressive symptoms in older patients: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled tr…
- In two trials of 223 adults with depression who had not fully responded to a med meds, adding 15 mg daily of L-methylfolate for 30 days improved depression scores more than placebo in the second trial of 75 people, but the first trial using 7.5 or 15 mg showed no significant difference.Read the study on PubMed (23212058) →
- In 211 women of various ages, 750 mcg of folate daily for 35 days did not improve mood compared with placebo, although it slightly improved some memory tests.Short-term folate, vitamin B-12 or vitamin B-6 supplementation slightly affects memory performance but not mood in women…
- In an 8-week placebo-controlled trial of 158 people with major depression, blood folate levels did not predict or track improvement, while changes in omega-3 fatty acids did.EPA and DHA as markers of nutraceutical treatment response in major depressive disorder.
- In 127 adults with major depression taking a med, adding 500 mcg of folic acid daily for 10 weeks gave greater improvement than placebo, and this benefit was seen in women. 93.9% of women on folic acid had a good response (over 50% reduction in symptom score), compared with 61.1% on placebo.Read the study on PubMed (10967371) →
- In 106 people with Alzheimer's disease, a multi-ingredient nutrient formula containing folate improved thinking test scores compared with placebo over 3 months, but caregiver-reported mood and behavior changes were not statistically significant.A Phase II Randomized Clinical Trial of a Nutritional Formulation for Cognition and Mood in Alzheimer's Disease.
- In 89 menopausal women with sleep or mood problems, a daily tablet containing calcium (141 mg) plus soy isoflavones, Magnolia bark, magnesium and vitamin D3 for 24 weeks reduced anxiety, low mood and irritability more than calcium with vitamin D3 alone, but the benefit cannot be attributed to calcium itself since the control group also received calcium.Soy isoflavones, lactobacilli, Magnolia bark extract, vitamin D3 and calcium. Controlled clinical study in menopause.
- In 75 adults with depression who did not respond fully to a med, 15 mg per day of L-methylfolate for about 60 days improved depression scores more than placebo, especially in people with high BMI or elevated inflammatory markers.Read the study on PubMed (24813065) →
- In 55 adults with metabolic syndrome on a six-month weight loss diet, those who increased their folate intake showed larger improvements in self-reported depression, although both diets improved mood similarly.Longitudinal relationship of diet and oxidative stress with depressive symptoms in patients with metabolic syndrome afte…
- In 55 people with schizophrenia taking stable antipsychotics, 15 mg of L-methylfolate daily for 12 weeks raised blood folate and improved overall symptom scores more than placebo, but mood and cognition scores did not differ from placebo.Biochemical, physiological and clinical effects of l-methylfolate in schizophrenia: a randomized controlled trial.
- In 41 people with depression or schizophrenia who had low red-cell folate, 15 mg of methylfolate daily for 6 months added to usual treatment improved clinical and social recovery more than placebo, with the gap widening over time.Enhancement of recovery from psychiatric illness by methylfolate.
- In 41 people with depression or schizophrenia who had low red-cell folate, 15 mg of methylfolate daily for 6 months added to usual treatment improved clinical and social recovery more than placebo, with the gap widening over time.Enhancement of recovery from psychiatric illness by methylfolate.
- In 30 older adults with mild cognitive decline, 2 months of a combined nutraceutical containing folate improved depression scores, but placebo improved similarly, so the mood benefit was not shown to be greater than placebo.Short-Term Impact of a Combined Nutraceutical on Cognitive Function, Perceived Stress and Depression in Young Elderly wi…
- In frail nursing home residents, 8 weeks of selenium, vitamin C and folate supplements improved depression scores in a subgroup with higher depression scores, while the placebo group did not change; folate was not tested alone.Effect of micronutrient supplementation on mood in nursing home residents.
- In adults with depression who did not respond fully to a med, 15 mg per day of L-methylfolate calcium over about 60 days improved depression scores more than placebo, with the greatest benefit in people with high BMI and elevated inflammatory markers.Read the study on PubMed (26613389) →
- In people with bipolar depression taking quetiapine, adding folic acid reduced a med benefit of added lamotrigine over 12 weeks, with no mood benefit from folic acid itself.Biochemical and genetic predictors and correlates of response to lamotrigine and folic acid in bipolar depression: Analy…
- In 22 adults over 60 with depression who were treated with a med, higher folate levels measured at the start predicted better improvement, especially on the self-rated scale, with a med group showing the stronger link. Folate was measured, not given as a supplement.Read the study on PubMed (12826993) →
- In 68 adults with depression who were already taking a med, 15 mg of L-methylfolate daily for up to 12 months led to full recovery in 38 percent of them, with no recurrences of depression.Long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability of L-methylfolate calcium 15 mg as adjunctive therapy with selective seroto…
- In an open-label trial of 44 adults with depression, adding 800 micrograms daily of methylfolate to a med for 4 weeks produced a 40.33% improvement in depression symptoms versus 26.43% with a med alone, though remission rates did not differ significantly.Read the study on PubMed (39844190) →
- In an open-label study of 24 people with Alzheimer's disease taking a multi-ingredient formula containing folate for one year, thinking skills and behavior symptoms stayed at their starting level instead of declining, though there was no placebo group in this study.Maintenance of Cognitive Performance and Mood for Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease Following Consumption of a Nutrac…
- In 22 adults with depression that did not fully respond to a med, adding 15 to 30 mg per day of leucovorin (folinic acid) for 8 weeks lowered depression scores, with about 27% of the group reaching response, though there was no placebo group.Read the study on PubMed (12046638) →
- In 20 elderly adults with depression, 50 mg per day of methyltetrahydrofolate for 6 weeks led to marked improvement, with 81% of the 16 who completed at least 4 weeks responding, though there was no placebo group.An open trial of methyltetrahydrofolate in elderly depressed patients.
- In an open-label registry of 10 adults with bipolar depression taking 15 mg daily of L-methylfolate alongside usual treatment for 6 weeks, depression scores fell from 23.4 to 13.9, and 6 of 10 people had at least a 50% drop in symptoms.L-Methylfolate For Bipolar I depressive episodes: An open trial proof-of-concept registry.
- In a national survey of 2524 US adults, those with the highest blood folate levels had lower odds of elevated depressive symptoms, especially among women (odds ratio 0.37 compared with the lowest tertile).Serum folate, vitamin B-12, and homocysteine and their association with depressive symptoms among U.S. adults.
- Mothers who ate the most calcium during pregnancy had children with fewer depressive symptoms at age 13, but the overall trend across intake levels was not statistically significant.Maternal calcium intake during pregnancy and adolescent depressive symptoms: The Kyushu Okinawa Maternal and Child Healt…
- In 517 Japanese adults, higher dietary folate intake was linked to fewer depressive symptoms in men but not in women. Men in the highest intake quartile had about half the odds of depressive symptoms compared with the lowest quartile.Dietary intake of folate, other B vitamins, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in relation to depressive symptoms i…
- In 332 elderly men followed in the Zutphen Elderly Study, dietary folate and vitamin B6 and B12 intake and blood homocysteine were not related to depressive symptoms.Dietary intake of B(6-9-12) vitamins, serum homocysteine levels and their association with depressive symptoms: the Zutp…
- Women with a skin condition on the palms and soles had higher blood calcium and far more psychiatric disorders than control women, but this case-control study did not test calcium intake or supplements.Women with palmoplantar pustulosis have disturbed calcium homeostasis and a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus and psy…
- In 181 female students, sticking more closely to a Nordic diet was linked to higher intakes of many nutrients including folate, and higher vegetable intake was linked to lower stress and anxiety scores. Folate itself was not tested against mood.Impact of a Nordic diet on psychological function in young students.
- In a survey of 165 Filipino American midlife women, food calcium intake was generally low and 24.8% had depression symptoms, but the study did not test whether calcium affects mood.The perimenopausal transition of Filipino American midlife women: biopsychosociocultural dimensions.
- In 141 young Japanese women, those eating more than 240 mcg of folate daily from food had lower odds of depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio 0.22). This was an observational association and not proof of cause.Impact of dietary folate intake on depressive symptoms in young women of reproductive age.
- In 116 women treated for major depression, lower blood folic acid was linked to more severe depression, and folic acid was significantly lower in those with treatment-resistant depression.Blood Concentrations of Folic Acid and Homocysteine Are Associated with Treatment-Resistant Depression Among Female Depr…
- In 97 adults with bipolar or major depressive disorder, 64% had folate intake below the estimated average requirement, compared with 27% in a general population survey. This study did not measure mood changes from folate.Vitamin and mineral intakes in adults with mood disorders: comparisons to nutrition standards and associations with soci…
- People with depression had lower folate and vitamin B12 levels and lower folate intake than controls, but no supplement was tested in this study.Evaluation of Nutritional Status of Patients with Depression.
- Blood 5-methyltetrahydrofolate was lower in 26 depressed people than in 21 healthy volunteers, both before and after electroconvulsive therapy. Folate deficiency was related to depression severity but not to treatment response.5-Methyltetrahydrofolate level in the serum of depressed subjects and its relationship to the outcome of ECT.
- In people with folate deficiency whose mental symptoms, nerve problems and depression eased with folic acid, a serotonin-related breakdown product in spinal fluid returned to normal after treatment, while it stayed low in people whose symptoms did not respond.Effect of folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiencies on 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in human cerebrospinal fluid.
Review Totals and Summary
Members Only31,756 reviews · 95% positive
Nature Made Folic Acid 400 mcg Tablets have received over 31,756 ratings across various stores, with a strong majority of 73% being 4 or 5 stars. Overall, customers find this product to be an effective and affordable supplement. **What it did for them:** Many users report positive health outcomes from taking these tablets. Some found it helpful for managing anemia, with one reviewer stating they "never been sorry I chose the brand NatureMade." Others experienced improved energy levels and even a reduction in blood glucose, with one user calling it a "game changer" for their specific health needs. For some, doctor-recommended use led to "labs came back normal," indicating the supplement's effectiveness. Many simply "noticed a difference in my health" after starting the supplement. **What they complain about:** The primary complaint regarding the tablets themselves centers on their form. One reviewer noted that the tablets "always fall apart in my mouth and taste powdery / grainy." This disintegration can make them unpleasant to take for some users, who might prefer other forms of the product. **Taste, smell, pill size, or form:** The tablets are generally described as "small" or "tiny." While some users appreciate that they are "chalky/easily dissolved" and have "no offensive taste" or "no after taste or yucky burps," others find the quick dissolution problematic. The main issue for some is that they "disintegrate in my mouth," leading to a "powdery / grainy" taste. This characteristic is a significant point of contention for those who struggle to swallow them quickly enough. It's important to note that this summary focuses exclusively on the tablet form, even though some reviewers mentioned preferring other product forms like caplets. **Value for money:** Customers frequently praise the product's affordability. Many reviews highlight it as a "good price" or "great price." One user specifically mentioned it was "Cheaper than the Pharmacy," indicating good value compared to other sources. **Who it seems to suit and who it did not:** This folic acid supplement appears to suit individuals seeking support for conditions like anemia, or those looking for a general health boost. It has been particularly beneficial for older individuals and those with specific digestive challenges, with one user stating, "My body cannot properly digest b vitamins, so I got this." However, it may not suit those who are sensitive to pills that dissolve quickly in the mouth or dislike a powdery texture, as the tablets can "disintegrate in my mouth." These individuals might prefer alternative forms of folic acid.
Biohacker Summary
Members Only8 of 10 recommend it
Folate is the main ingredient here, and the panel leans toward recommending it: five of the ten have a latest position of recommends and the rest are neutral. They take it to lower homocysteine, support mitochondria and brain health, and protect pregnancy, with one noting a child with low levels was given it and another noting it has cut spina bifida. Several of the recommenders prefer methylfolate, an active form the body can use directly, over synthetic folic acid, which is what this product contains. One panelist also says some people need a little extra folate and that a med can deplete it, while others point to dark leafy greens and fermented dairy as food sources, and no one gave a dose or said they stopped. Calcium is a smaller ingredient in this product, and the panel is split on it, with several backing it for bones and a few warning about supplement forms.
See all 10 biohackers →Hide the biohackers
Dr. Rhonda Patrick · Folate · neutral
- Mentions folate as one of the micronutrients found in multivitamins that people often don't get enough of from their diets.
- Recommends ensuring adequate methyl folate intake, ideally through a prenatal vitamin, for women preparing for IVF.
- Mentions that kale delivers calcium, a micronutrient many diets fall short on.
- Notes additional gaps in calcium.
- Notes that dark leafy greens are a great source of folate.
- Reports that alcohol use disorder is associated with a 20-50% greater prevalence of Calcium deficiency.
- States that for his mother, who is homozygous for MTHFR, methyl folate along with a high dose B supplement is necessary to prevent her homocysteine and blood pressure from going high.
- Dr. Patrick mentions that her smoothie is rich in folate, which is required for producing thymine and prevents DNA strand breaks.
- Around 38% doesn't meet the requirement for calcium.
- Has experimented with L-methylfolate in the past to lower homocysteine, as he is a poor methylator.
- Dr. Patrick states that studies have shown supplementing with 5-methyltetrahydrofolate can successfully circumvent some shortcomings of MTHFR gene polymorphisms and lower homocysteine levels.
- Takes a calcium-magnesium pill because he believes people tend to be short of both and that the body cares about the ratio of these similar molecules.
- Dr. Patrick states that her smoothie, containing spinach, has around 480 micrograms of folate, which is essential for the incorporation of thymine into DNA and is very important in regulating epigenetics.
- Dr. Patrick states that adequate levels of folate have been shown to prevent cancer, and conversely, inadequate levels can damage DNA, which is known to cause cancer.
Dr. Mark Hyman · Folate · neutral
- Notes that taking folate can lower homocysteine levels, which has shown health benefits and physical improvements in brain scans in clinical trials.
- Notes that some people may need a little bit extra folate with a supplement.
- Optimized a child's nutrient status with folate, as the child had low folate levels and was not eating greens.
- Notes that calcium is in bones but is also essential for nerves, muscles, and the heart, and low levels can affect muscle function and heart rhythm.
- Notes that a med depletes folate.
- States that folate is a nutritional deficiency that impacts mental health.
- Recounts giving a patient with MCI high-dose methylfolate, along with B12 shots and B6, which completely cured her MCI.
- Recommends folate with vitamin B6 and B12 as supplements with strong evidence for PMS.
- States that green leafy vegetables are great sources of calcium.
- Explains that folate metabolism is very involved in neurotransmitter function and mood, and that folate can be a treatment for some cases of depression, especially for those with MTHFR genetic variants.
- Explains why methylated folate matters and differentiates it from folic acid in the context of prenatal vitamins.
- Recommends folate for male fertility, stating it targets cellular damage.
- Notes that calcium needs are lower than advertised and that stress, soda, and excess sugar can drive calcium loss.
- Does not prescribe calcium supplements at all, teaching people to get it from whole foods instead, because calcium supplements don't work for building bones or preventing fractures, and it's bone quality, not density, that matters.
Dr. Eric Berg · Folate · neutral
- Notes that birth control pills deplete the body of folate, which is needed for the brain to make serotonin.
- States that one can of sardines contains 382 mg of calcium.
- Warns against calcium supplements, citing studies that link them to a higher risk of heart attack, especially in postmenopausal women, and suggests getting calcium from dairy instead.
- Recommends focusing on calcium to support stronger bones if a neck hump is associated with osteoporosis.
- Warns against calcium carbonate, calling it limestone and the worst source of calcium, stating it takes 12 steps to be converted in the body and is like eating rocks.
- Warns that bone loss cannot be fixed with just calcium, as bone is primarily collagen with other essential minerals.
- Dr. Berg includes calcium carbonate among the synthetic supplements to avoid.
- Warns against calcium carbonate, also known as limestone, stating that while it lowered hip fractures in a study, it also increased kidney stones and is not good for arteries, requiring the body to work hard to use it.
- Notes that tannins in tea bind calcium, blocking its absorption.
- Indicates that horizontal thin white lines near the base of the nails are indicative of low calcium.
- Warns that calcium carbonate can build up in the arteries and kidneys and increase the risk of a heart attack.
- Dr. Berg mentions that fermented dairy contains vital nutrients, including folate.
- States that folate is a co-factor or nutrient involved in making melatonin.
- States that if one is deficient in folate, cells cannot repair, and recommends dark leafy green vegetables, liver, and avocados as good sources.
Dave Asprey · Folate · neutral
- States that folate can affect how the body responds to a supplement.
- Recommends methylfolate as a better option than folic acid.
- Notes that when energy intake is too low for training demand, nutrient intake often falls short, especially for calcium, which is associated with reduced bone health.
- Explains that calcium provides the raw material for bones, but it isn't a standalone input and needs a whole system to be effective.
- Notes that people take calcium for their bones.
- Dave Asprey notes that 80% of their clients have a problem absorbing certain forms of folate, and when the exact form of folate or folinic acid is dialed in, clients experience shifts, with the brain waking up as one of the first improvements.
- Warns that taking calcium without vitamin D, A, and K2 can lead to calcium going into tissues, causing bone spurs and other issues, and recommends a two-to-one ratio of calcium to magnesium.
- Dave breaks down why a daily stack of taurine, B6, folate, and B12 works for motivation when either ingredient alone doesn't.
- Warns that many people who take methylfolate experience muscle tension and anxiety from it, suggesting it's not always the right form for methylation issues.
- Recommends taking calcium citrate during a high oxalate meal to bind the oxalate in the gut.
- Notes that people often take calcium for bone health.
- Notes that not everyone can metabolize methylfolate.
- Warns against taking methyl folate, stating that it causes muscle cramping throughout the body and that overmethylating is a nasty sensation.
- Believes calcium supplements are overrated, as most people need more vitamin K2 and vitamin D instead.
Ben Greenfield · Folate · recommends
- Recommends methylfolate as an active form of folate that the body can use directly without conversion.
- Recommends bioavailable folate, not synthetic folic acid, as folate deficiencies seem to impact hearing health in older individuals.
- Is considering whether he needs a calcium supplement because lead can displace calcium in bones, affecting bone strength.
- Mentions calcium as a common deficiency.
- Recommends introducing methylfolate into the diet to address high homocysteine levels.
- Recommends adequate intake of calcium for bone strength.
- Is using calcium chloride mixed with PRP before injecting for the P-shot.
- Would refine the guidelines to include clearer distinctions between synthetic folic acid and natural folate.
- Advises people to stop taking calcium supplements as part of the Root Cause Protocol.
- Notes that some people do better on certain forms of B12, B complexes, SAM E, and methylated folates, specifically five methyl folates, for methylation.
- Warns that in high doses, calcium without the right cofactors can raise cardiovascular risk by contributing to arterial calcification instead of bone strength, and may increase the risk of osteoporosis.
- Explains that 10X separates calcium and zinc into different micro beads, releasing them at different rates and locations in the digestive tract to prevent competition and optimize absorption.
- Covers calcium as a key supplement for kids.
- Notes that magnesium requires co-factors like B12 and folate to work, and BiOptimizers has considered these nutrients to help lower homocysteine levels and protect against DNA damage, promoting better health and longevity.
Thomas DeLauer · Folate · recommends
- Recommends taking methylfolate as a methylated form of B vitamin for mitochondrial function.
- Notes that milk contains 120mg of calcium, while sardines contain 351mg, highlighting a 3x difference.
- Recommends getting calcium, along with vitamin D, zinc, and magnesium, from foods like sardines, as they are important for inflammatory pathways in the gut.
- Explains that eating sardines with their soft bones provides a serious hit of calcium, which is a perfect combination for bones and may contribute to satiety.
- Mentions that magnesium and calcium should not be taken together as they cancel each other out.
- Tries to get multivitamins without calcium or with a low amount, as he believes supplemental calcium impacts the absorption of other vitamins and minerals and is not as beneficial as hyped. He cautions against it for most people due to the risk of coronary artery calcification.
- Recommends getting calcium from dairy sources like milk, yogurt, kefir, and cheese in the morning to support neurotransmitter synchronization crucial for deep and REM sleep, noting that low dietary calcium is linked to insomnia.
- Recommends methylfolate as a runner-up for insulin resistance, especially for individuals with the MTHFR variant, as it directly enters the methylation cycle without conversion.
- Warns that calcium competes with magnesium for the same absorption channels, advising to separate magnesium intake from calcium supplements or dairy by at least an hour or two.
- Recommends providing the body with adequate dietary calcium, not a calcium supplement, to ensure a clean, strong spark for efficient insulin release.
- Warns that calcium and magnesium should not be taken together as they cancel each other out, though some products use delayed absorption to mitigate this.
- Warns that most people consume too much calcium relative to magnesium, which can disrupt the balance needed for proper bodily function, comparing it to an electrical circuit.
- Mentions folate as a critical B vitamin for reducing homocysteine.
- Lists folate as a metal donor found in green leafy vegetables, liver, and legumes, especially sprouted legumes.
Siim Land · Folate · neutral
- States that Homocysteine levels can often be improved through adequate folate intake.
- Lists dairy and sardines as sources of Calcium.
- Notes that Boron reduces calcium/magnesium loss.
- Recommends a high calcium intake for bone health.
- Places calcium supplementation in the 'bad tier' due to its association with increased cardiovascular events, recommending dairy or bones as easier ways to get calcium, though it can be useful for postmenopausal women with low bone density.
- Mentions that eating enough calcium matters for bone density, but states that it alone won't transform bone density.
- Warns that calcium is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, though people with low calcium status and intake can take it safely.
- Warns that calcium supplements increase the risk of heart disease by raising blood calcium levels too high, leading to hypercalcemia and more calcium being stored in the arteries, and also increase the risk of arrhythmias.
- Notes that Brian's folate levels are over 20, which is too high and above the reference range, possibly due to supplementation.
- Warns against calcium supplementation for most people due to its association with increased cardiovascular events, but notes it can be useful for postmenopausal women with low bone density who don't consume dairy.
- Discusses Calcium as a supplement.
- Recommends consuming calcium from dairy, tofu, leafy greens, and bones, as it is a key nutrient required for ATP synthase in mitochondrial energy production.
- Warns that many people are overdosing on methyl folate, which can contribute to overstimulation when combined with creatine.
- Notes that folate resulted in negative effects on epigenetic age, meaning it increased epigenetic age.
Andrew Huberman · Folate · recommends
- States that B12, folate, and iron are essential to mitochondrial function and if deficient, mitochondria will not function properly, which is consistent with the mitochondrial theory of neuropsychiatric disorders.
- Recommends taking methyl folate as part of methylated B vitamins to lower homocysteine levels and reduce cardiovascular risk.
- Takes methyl folate because elevated levels of homocysteine are associated with negative outcomes, and taking methyl folate is known to lower homocysteine. This might lower ADMA and SDMA and raise nitric oxide synthesis, potentially impacting vascular disease.
- Discusses "hard water" and the role of magnesium and calcium in cardiovascular health.
- Discusses folate as a potential factor in mitigating cancer risk, particularly in relation to alcohol consumption.
- Recommends the consumption of folate and other B vitamins, especially B12, as it has been shown to partially decrease cancer risk in people who ingest alcohol, though it does not completely offset it.
- Discusses L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate as a novel pain relief compound and mentions it in the context of a protocol for pain.
- Explains that 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) is now being used as a strategy to increase endogenous SAMe levels, as it is a precursor molecule necessary for its conversion.
- Recommends Methylfolate as part of methylated B vitamins to lower homocysteine and reduce cardiovascular risk.
- Adequate intake of calcium is vital for bone health.
Peter Attia · Folate · recommends
- Highlights folate supplementation as a significant practical progress in nutrition science, which has radically reduced spinabifida.
- Recommends calcium as one of the 'big three' micronutrients for bone health, suggesting a daily intake of 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams, which can be supplemented with calcium carbonate or calcium citrate.
- Explains that bone is 50 to 70% mineral, predominantly calcium, and that virtually all of the body's calcium is contained within bone, making bone important for calcium homeostasis.
- Recommends calcium for bone health, stating that teenagers probably need about 1000 milligrams a day.
- Discusses bone acting as a reservoir for calcium and how resorption and formation release calcium into the blood when needed.
- Takes Jarrow methylfolate to keep homocysteine levels below nine, taking the lower of two available strengths once a day.
- Takes Jarrow methylfolate, a methylated version, once a day at the lower of two strengths, to keep homocysteine levels below nine.
- Mentions that in a mouse model for obesity, the amount of folate given to the mother mouse during pregnancy affects the epigenetics of her offspring, leading to changes in coat color and obesity.
- Personally takes methylfolate to help get homocysteine into the desired zone and prefers the Jarrow brand.
- Notes that bone is 50 to 70 percent mineral, with calcium being the predominant mineral, and virtually all of the body's calcium is contained within bone.
- Recommends getting about a gram of calcium a day from organic bone meal, which provides calcium hydroxyapatite, the form humans are meant to consume.
- Takes methyl folate as a supplement.
- Suggests that calcium is one of the other signals involved in regulating mitochondrial number, beyond AMPK activation.
- Considers 400 micrograms of methylfolate in a typical supplement to be reasonable and more than sufficient, but notes that if it doesn't fix homocysteine, the deficit lies elsewhere.
Bryan Johnson · Folate · recommends
- Recommends supplementing with folate for brain health for both the mother and the baby during pregnancy.
- Recommends calcium as a mineral that, along with phosphorus, magnesium, and boron, is deposited to fortify the bone structure after the collagen scaffold is in place.
- Agrees that a little extra calcium is probably okay, especially for women, to really hit home for bone mineral density.
- Recommends calcium at 1,200 mg daily for women during the follicular phase, depending on dietary intake.
- Recommends prioritizing calcium intake for postmenopausal women to help maintain bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
- Bryan Johnson takes Calcium daily as part of his Longevity Mix, which supports healthy bones and teeth.
RAL Summary
Members OnlyTier 2 for Mood
Pooled analyses of many trials show that folate added to meds eases depression [1][2], and 94% of 1,101 reviews are positive, which meets the tier 2 rule. The rule's note that 94% improved is wrong, since only 23 of 50 studies improved. The tier still stands on the pooled analyses.
Where the evidence disagrees: 16 of the 54 human studies found no effect.
More Details
Members OnlyBody systems · Combine with · Possible side effects
Body systems: Nervous system, Blood
Combine with: Folic acid works synergistically with other B vitamins, particularly Vitamin B12, as they are both essential for the methylation cycle and red blood cell formation. Iron is another excellent complement, especially for individuals at risk of anemia, as both nutrients are vital for healthy blood. Vitamin C can also be beneficial as it aids in the absorption and utilization of folic acid.
Possible side effects: In studies, side effects were similar to placebo. Some reviewers disliked that the tablets break down in the mouth and taste powdery.
Supplement Facts
Folate 665 mcg DFE 665 mcg DFE · Calcium 45 mg
| Folate 665 mcg DFE (400 mcg Folic Acid) | 665 mcg DFE | 166% |
| Calcium (as Calcium Carbonate and Dibasic Calcium Phosphate) | 45 mg | 3% |
Other ingredients: Cellulose Gel, Maltodextrin, Croscarmellose Sodium, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate.
Directions: Adults, take 1 tablet daily with water and a meal.
Label source: Naturemade · Report a label change
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Our articles on this subject
- Folate vs Folic Acid: What the Studies Show About Each FormArticle · Oct 29, 2026
- Supplements for Stress and Anxiety Relief: What the Evidence SupportsArticle · Oct 26, 2026
Graded October 29, 2026 by the Reverse Age Lab evidence engine, from human studies, real reviews and our biohacker panel. How we grade. Is this medical advice? No. Rala organizes the published evidence; go over any change with your doctor, especially if you take meds.
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