Is there no one else here that is taking methylfolate with methylcobalamin (B12)?

mrsD, there is a multivitamin from Natural Factors that lists under its ingredients “Folate (folic acid) .... 1000 mcg”. You get the 1000 mcg dosage if you take three capsules: http://www.iherb.com/Natural-Factors...&sr=null&ic=44

Would you interpret this terminology as being synonymous with just folic acid, or do you think it is a blend of the two? In your experience, if it is a blend is it likely to be an equal blend, or weighted more toward the folic acid side? Thank you!!

I think this is old folic acid only.

For a while Methylfolate was not available to OTC makers.

So most mixes are the old folic acid. They would have a huge batch made, and to change that would be expensive for them.
Also the cost of methylfolate is pretty steep... Single content methylfolate OTC tabs now, are rather pricey.

Makers of mixtures of vitamins do two things in general.
1) try to keep the size of the tablet/capsule as small as possible.
2) keep the costs down.

Usually when a mixture occurs, the nice active part of it is the smallest in size. The cheapest (and usually the older form in the mix) is usually the main ingredient.

Thus when you see magnesium (from magnesium oxide, citrate and glycinate) you can count on the majority to be Oxide.

I have called makers on this, and they cannot answer how much of each is in their product typically when a mix is on the label (like with magnesiums).

Thanks for all of the information! I kind of suspected that the content was probably all folic acid.

I’ve been doing some searching for multivitamins that contain folate instead of folic acid, and they are apparently few and far between. Life Extension does carry a product containing folate which is described as” folate from lemon extract (peel)”: http://www.iherb.com/Life-Extension-...3&sr=null&ic=1

Hi again mrsD,

I’m thinking about postponing the addition of folate to my regimen. Although it would probably make my B12 supplementation more effective, it would probably also make my low potassium situation even worse than it already is (muscle spasms and skipped heartbeats).

From your experience, is it possible from food sources alone to elevate potassium levels to the point where the side effects become negligible?

Also, with my demyelination condition, what risk am I taking if I never supplement with folate?

Thank you!!

Just because you take B12 does not mean you will have lowered potassium.

If your MCV was high normal or out of range, or you had anemia, then yes, potassium becomes an issue.

If you have easy access to doctors, you can get tested for potassium levels. Then you would know more.