Viridian Methylfolate (Active Folate B9) 400µg (90 Capsules)

Viridian's Methylfolate is the bioactive form of folate (vitamin B9), the form your body can use directly without needing to convert it from folic acid. A focused single-vitamin capsule at the standard 400µg daily dose. Particularly important for anyone with a known MTHFR variant or for women planning pregnancy. 90 vegan capsules.

What it is

A capsule containing 400µg of methylfolate per serving. Methylfolate (technically 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, or 5-MTHF) is the active form of folate, the form the body actually uses for methylation, DNA synthesis and red blood cell formation. Viridian deliver it as a clean vegan capsule with no fillers and no synthetic colour. Made in the UK.

Note: the product slug states 400mg, which appears to be a typo. Folate is dosed in micrograms (µg), not milligrams (mg). 400µg is the standard daily dose and almost certainly what's in the capsule. The label is the source of truth.

Why it works

Folate is one of the most important nutrients for cellular function, particularly:

• Normal red blood cell formation
• Normal homocysteine metabolism
• Normal psychological function
• Normal function of the immune system
• Reduction of tiredness and fatigue
• Normal maternal tissue growth during pregnancy
• Normal amino acid synthesis

Most folate supplements use folic acid, which is the synthetic precursor form. The body has to convert folic acid into methylfolate before it can be used. A meaningful percentage of the population carry genetic variants (the MTHFR variants being the best-known) that make that conversion less efficient. Supplementing with methylfolate directly skips the conversion step entirely, which is why this form is the preferred choice for many practitioners.

Folate is also one of the most-asked-for nutrients for women planning pregnancy or in early pregnancy. The standard NHS recommendation is 400µg daily from before conception through the first trimester, to support normal neural-tube development. Methylfolate is the preferred form for women with a known MTHFR variant.

Who it's for

A targeted pick rather than a general daily multivitamin replacement. Suited to:

• People with a known MTHFR variant who already know they want the methylated form
• Women planning pregnancy or in early pregnancy who want the active form (always with GP guidance)
• Adults with homocysteine flagged on a blood panel
• People taking other methylated B vitamins as part of a methylation routine

For general daily B-vitamin support without targeting methylation specifically, the Viridian B-Complex range is usually a better starting point.

What's different about this version

Three things stand out. First, the form. Methylfolate is the body-ready active form, not the synthetic folic acid precursor. Second, the dose. 400µg matches the standard daily recommendation for adults. Third, the clean Viridian label: vegan, no fillers, no shellac glaze, no synthetic colour.

Viridian have been making clean B-vitamin formulas for over 25 years and remain one of our most-trusted brands.

How to use it

One capsule a day with food, or as advised by a practitioner. Many women planning pregnancy take it daily from preconception through the first trimester and often continue through pregnancy on practitioner advice.

Folate contributes to normal maternal tissue growth during pregnancy. (Beneficial effect is obtained with a supplemental folate intake of 400µg per day for at least one month before and up to three months after conception.)

If you're on prescribed medication (particularly methotrexate, certain anti-epileptics, or other folate-relevant prescriptions), speak to your GP before starting. We can talk you through what's in the capsule, we just can't advise on interactions with prescriptions.

Browse the Women's Health range or call the shop on 07711 393130 for help choosing.