Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Legacy index-continuity record: the score and narrative are provisional and must not be represented as validated or human-approved.
Review flags: AWAITING_SEMANTIC_VALIDATION
Quatrefolic is the glucosamine salt form of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), the active form of folate that bypasses genetic mutations in folate metabolism. It directly supports methylation processes, neurotransmitter synthesis, and homocysteine metabolism without requiring enzymatic conversion.
Reported Benefits (Provisional)
Origin & History
Quatrefolic is a patented form of folate, specifically 5-MTHF, which is the active form of folic acid, designed for improved absorption and bioavailability.
Research Narrative (Provisional)
Studies have shown that Quatrefolic is more bioavailable than traditional folic acid, supporting its use in folate supplementation, especially for those with MTHFR mutations.
Preparation & Dosage
Dosage guidance is withheld because the publication gate has not recorded adequate support for this profile.
Nutritional Profile
Quatrefolic (5-MTHF Glucosamine Salt) is a patented, fourth-generation folate compound consisting of the glucosamine salt of (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate, the biologically active form of folate. It is not a macronutrient source and contains negligible calories, fat, protein, or carbohydrates at supplemental doses. Primary bioactive compound: (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), the reduced, metabolically active form of vitamin B9/folate, typically standardized to provide 400–1000 mcg of 5-MTHF per dose in commercial supplements. Unlike synthetic folic acid, 5-MTHF requires no hepatic conversion via dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), making it immediately bioavailable regardless of MTHFR gene polymorphisms (C677T, A1298C), which affect approximately 40–60% of the global population. The glucosamine salt carrier enhances water solubility, stability across a pH range of 3–7, and gastrointestinal absorption compared to calcium salt forms of 5-MTHF. Bioavailability is estimated at approximately 1.7–2x greater than folic acid in individuals with MTHFR polymorphisms. It provides no meaningful dietary fiber, minerals, or fat-soluble vitamins. Trace amounts of glucosamine are present as the counterion but at sub-therapeutic levels (well below the 1500 mg/day used in joint health studies). No significant vitamin or mineral co-factors are intrinsic to the compound itself.
Reported Mechanism (Provisional)
Quatrefolic delivers 5-methyltetrahydrofolate directly to cellular methylation cycles, bypassing the MTHFR enzyme that converts folic acid to its active form. It serves as a methyl donor in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine and supports the synthesis of neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine through the methylation of tetrahydrobiopterin.
Clinical Narrative (Provisional)
Clinical trials with 5-MTHF supplementation show significant improvements in depression scores, with doses of 15mg daily demonstrating efficacy as adjunctive therapy in treatment-resistant depression. Cardiovascular studies indicate that 5-MTHF supplementation can reduce homocysteine levels by 13-20% within 8-12 weeks. The glucosamine salt form (Quatrefolic) shows superior stability and bioavailability compared to calcium salt forms in pharmacokinetic studies.
Also Known As
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