Estalife Quatrefolic® Vitamin B9 Methylfolate
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No Artificial Sweeteners
100% Natural
No Preservatives
Science-Backed Formula
Vegan
Allergen-Free
Gluten-Free
No Added Sugar
Made in Singapore
3rd Party Tested
Non GMO
No Artificial Sweeteners
100% Natural
No Preservatives
Science-Backed Formula
Vegan
Allergen-Free
Gluten-Free
No Added Sugar
Made in Singapore
3rd Party Tested
Non GMO
60 Veg Capsules · 60 Days Supply · Vegan · Made in Singapore
Why the form of folate matters
Folate, Vitamin B9, is one of the most critical nutrients for women planning pregnancy. It is required for DNA synthesis and cell division, and adequate folate in the weeks before and during early pregnancy is directly linked to healthy fetal neural tube development. International health authorities including the US Preventive Services Task Force recommend that all women planning pregnancy or of reproductive age supplement with 400mcg -800mcg of folic acid daily. [1]
Most folate supplements use folic acid, a synthetic form that the body must convert into its active form (5-methyltetrahydrofolate, or 5-MTHF) through a multi-step enzymatic process involving the MTHFR enzyme. This conversion works well for many people. For a significant proportion of the population, particularly in Singapore, MTHFR gene variants reduce this enzyme's efficiency. This means folic acid is not fully converted and circulating folate levels remain lower than expected even with consistent supplementation.
A study examining homocysteine metabolism gene polymorphisms in Singapore's three main ethnic groups found that Singaporean Chinese had the highest frequency of the MTHFR 677T allele among all groups studied. Given that Chinese Singaporeans make up approximately 75% of the population, this is a directly relevant finding for Singapore women supplementing folate for pregnancy. [5]
Methylfolate, the active form of B9, bypasses the MTHFR conversion step entirely. Because it is already in the form the body uses directly, it is available regardless of an individual's MTHFR status.
Why Quatrefolic®
Not all methylfolate supplements are the same. L-Methylfolate is available in different salt forms with different stability and solubility profiles.
Quatrefolic® is the glucosamine salt of (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate, the fourth generation of folate ingredient developed by Gnosis S.p.A. (now Gnosis by Lesaffre). It carries international patent protection and has been studied in multiple human clinical trials.
A human crossover clinical study confirmed that Quatrefolic® has superior bioavailability compared to the calcium salt form of 5-MTHF. This is driven by its significantly higher water solubility. Quatrefolic® dissolves in 100 times less water than the calcium salt form, supporting faster dispersion and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. [4]
A subsequent human pharmacokinetic crossover study (Nafrialdi and Suyatna, International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics, 2025) found that a finished product containing Quatrefolic® was twice as bioavailable as folic acid in terms of peak plasma concentration and area under the curve. It also resulted in significantly lower levels of unmetabolised folic acid in the blood. UMFA accumulates when folic acid is not fully converted. Its long-term effects are still being studied, and lower UMFA is considered a more physiologically appropriate outcome. [3]
What you get per serving
Vitamin B9 (as L-Methylfolate, from 741mcg Quatrefolic®) | 400mcg | 100% Daily Value
Serving size: 1 Vegetable Capsule | Servings per container: 60 | Supply: 60 days | Vegan | Non-GMO | Made in Singapore
On the compound weight: 741mcg of Quatrefolic® delivers 400mcg of active L-Methylfolate. The difference is the weight of the glucosamine salt carrier, which is what gives Quatrefolic® its superior solubility and stability. 400mcg is the amount of active folate your body receives, and it matches the dose recommended by international health authorities for preconception and pregnancy support.
Key Benefits
Promotes healthy fetal development
Folate is essential for DNA synthesis and cell division, the foundational processes driving fetal development in the first weeks of pregnancy including neural tube closure. Periconceptional folate supplementation at 400mcg daily is recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force and internationally recognised health authorities. [1]
Because neural tube development occurs at weeks 3 to 4 of pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant, supplementation should begin before conception and continue through the first trimester.
Helps support maternal folate status
Active methylfolate raises and maintains blood folate levels more effectively than folic acid in individuals with MTHFR variants, without relying on enzymatic conversion. For women in Singapore where Singaporean Chinese carry the MTHFR 677T allele at the highest rate among Singapore's ethnic groups, this is a clinically meaningful distinction. [5]
Supports normal blood formation
Folate is required for the production of healthy red blood cells. Folate deficiency can result in megaloblastic anaemia, a condition where red blood cells become abnormally large and unable to carry oxygen effectively. Maintaining adequate folate status supports normal blood cell formation throughout pregnancy, when blood volume increases by approximately 50%.
Directions of Use
For general wellness: take 1 capsule daily, with or without food, whenever it fits your routine.
For women trying to conceive or in the first trimester of pregnancy: take 2 capsules daily.
Or take as directed by a healthcare professional. Store in a cool and dry place.
Caution: Individuals with medical conditions should consult a healthcare professional before use. Women who have previously had a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect should consult their doctor before use, as a higher therapeutic dose is typically recommended for this group and requires medical supervision.
Who is this suitable for?
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Women planning pregnancy or trying to conceive, with supplementation starting 2-3 months before conception
-
Women in their first trimester of pregnancy
-
Women of reproductive age who want to maintain baseline folate status
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Individuals with known MTHFR gene variants who have been advised to use active methylfolate rather than folic acid
-
Those who have supplemented with folic acid but whose blood folate levels remain suboptimal
For women with a previous NTD-affected pregnancy: this product provides 400mcg per capsule (800mcg at the 2-capsule dose). The recommended therapeutic dose for this higher-risk group is typically higher dose daily, which requires medical supervision and prescription-level dosing. Please consult your doctor.
Why Estalife?
This formula uses Quatrefolic®, a patented, clinically validated branded ingredient from Gnosis S.p.A. It delivers 400mcg of active L-Methylfolate in a single vegan capsule, at the internationally recommended preconception and pregnancy dose. Made in our own NSF GMP-certified factory in Ang Mo Kio, Singapore. No middlemen. Sold directly to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between folic acid and methylfolate?
Folic acid is a synthetic form of Vitamin B9 that the body must convert into its active form through a multi-step enzymatic process involving the MTHFR enzyme. Methylfolate (5-MTHF) is the active form. It does not require conversion and is available to the body immediately. For individuals with MTHFR gene variants that reduce enzyme efficiency, methylfolate is the more reliable option for maintaining adequate folate status.
What is Quatrefolic® and why is it used instead of generic methylfolate?
Quatrefolic® is the glucosamine salt of active 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, developed by Gnosis S.p.A. A human pharmacokinetic crossover study confirmed it is twice as bioavailable as folic acid and produces significantly less unmetabolised folic acid accumulation in the blood. The glucosamine salt form also has approximately 100 times higher water solubility than the calcium salt form, which supports its absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. [3][4]
When should I start taking this before pregnancy?
International health authorities recommend beginning folate supplementation at least one month before conception. Neural tube development occurs at approximately weeks 3 to 4 of pregnancy, before most women know they are pregnant, so consistent pre-conception supplementation is critical.
Can I take this alongside a prenatal multivitamin?
Check the folate content of your prenatal supplement first. Many prenatal multivitamins include 400 to 800mcg of folic acid or folate. If your prenatal already provides adequate folate, adding this supplement on top may not be necessary. If your prenatal uses folic acid rather than methylfolate and you have an MTHFR variant, discuss with your doctor whether switching to or adding methylfolate is appropriate.
Is this suitable for general use outside of pregnancy?
Yes. Folate supports red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and homocysteine metabolism in all adults. One capsule daily (400mcg) is appropriate for general wellness maintenance.
References
[1] US Preventive Services Task Force, Folic Acid Supplementation for the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects, 2023
[2] American Academy of Pediatrics, Folic Acid for the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects
[3] Nafrialdi N and Suyatna FD, Pharmacokinetic study of HY-FOLIC and folic acid in healthy volunteers, International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics, 2025. Via Quatrefolic.com
[4] Quatrefolic, Clinical Bioavailability Evidence, Gnosis S.p.A.
[5] PMC, Homocysteine Metabolism Gene Polymorphisms in Singapore ethnic groups, MTHFR 677T allele frequency data