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- Quatrefolic® Vitamin B9 Methylfolate
- Preconception & Pregnancy
- Women's / Feminine Health
Quatrefolic® Vitamin B9 Methylfolate
Key Benefits
1. 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.
2. 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]
3. 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%.
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*Disclaimer
Logos were produced while certification was in process. Rest assured that all ingredients and manufacturing have always complied with MUIS Halal standards.
Product Description
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]
Who It Is For
- 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
- 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.
- Vitamin B9 (as L-Methylfolate, from 741mcg Quatrefolic®)
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
Supporting Ingredients: Corn Starch, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide
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.
Most supplements aren't what the label says
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NUS tested 18 NMN products sold in Singapore. Over 80% were not what they claimed.
In 2024, researchers at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Temasek Polytechnic bought 18 NMN supplements on the Singapore market and measured what was actually in them. More than 80% contained less NMN than the label claimed. Three contained no detectable NMN at all.
What that means for you: in this category, price tells you nothing about whether the product is real. An independent lab result is the only thing that does.
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US researchers tested 25 melatonin gummies sold for sleep. Nearly 9 in 10 were not what they claimed.
In 2023, researchers from Harvard Medical School and the University of Mississippi bought 25 melatonin gummy products on the US market and measured what was actually in them. 22 of the 25 were labelled inaccurately, with melatonin ranging from 74% to 347% of the stated dose. Only 3 came within 10% of the label. One contained no melatonin at all, just CBD.
What that means for you: the dose on the label is a promise, not a measurement. You could be taking a fraction of what you paid for, or more than three times it. An independent lab result is the only way to know.
NUS tested 18 NMN products sold in Singapore. Over 80% were not what they claimed.
In 2024, researchers at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Temasek Polytechnic bought 18 NMN supplements on the Singapore market and measured what was actually in them. More than 80% contained less NMN than the label claimed. Three contained no detectable NMN at all.
What that means for you: in this category, price tells you nothing about whether the product is real. An independent lab result is the only thing that does.
US researchers tested 25 melatonin gummies sold for sleep. Nearly 9 in 10 were not what they claimed.
In 2023, researchers from Harvard Medical School and the University of Mississippi bought 25 melatonin gummy products on the US market and measured what was actually in them. 22 of the 25 were labelled inaccurately, with melatonin ranging from 74% to 347% of the stated dose. Only 3 came within 10% of the label. One contained no melatonin at all, just CBD.
What that means for you: the dose on the label is a promise, not a measurement. You could be taking a fraction of what you paid for, or more than three times it. An independent lab result is the only way to know.
What we test and how often
Microbial & heavy metals
Every single batch we manufacture is tested by Eurofins Singapore for microbial safety and heavy metals before it is released for sale.
Laboratory: Eurofins Singapore
Raw material purity
Every lot of raw material is tested before it enters production. Our NMN returns greater than 99.99% β-NMN content.
Laboratory: SGS
Finished product content verification
Eurofins measures the actual NMN content in the finished capsule and confirms it delivers the stated 500mg per serving. This is the test almost nobody in the category runs, because it is expensive and because it is where underdosed products get caught.
Laboratory: Eurofins Singapore
Affordable, because there is nobody between us and you
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The usual chain
Manufacturer, then brand owner, then distributor, then retailer, then you. Retailers typically take 40 to 50%. Distributors take another 20 to 30%. Every layer is priced into the bottle before it reaches you.
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Here at Estalife
We manufacture it and we sell it. There is no brand owner paying us a manufacturing fee and no retailer adding margin on top.
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What we did not cut
Same raw material grade, same NSF GMP certified facility, same Eurofins and SGS testing, same processes and machines used for the hospitals and global brands we manufacture for.
Singapore's largest NSF GMP-certified supplements factory
Our Ang Mo Kio facility manufactures for hospitals and global brands, and now for Estalife directly — no middlemen. You're welcome to see it for yourself.
Pair it with
Vitamin D3 K2 MK-7 / Vegan Vitamin D3: Supports bone and immune health. For pregnant women, use only when advised by a doctor.
Iron Glycinate + Vitamin C: Together they support healthy red blood cells, especially during pregnancy.
Dual Inositol Melts: A supportive pair for fertility and PCOS.
Omega-3 Fish Oil: DHA supports baby's brain and eye development.
Calcium Glycinate: Supports baby's bones while protecting mum's calcium stores.
Magnesium Glycinate / Albion Magnesium Glycinate: Supports sleep, muscle cramps and mood, all common in pregnancy.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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]
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.
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.
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.
Think you can trust supplement labels? Think again.
A supplement label tells you what a brand says is inside. It can’t tell you whether that’s true.
In many markets, including Singapore, supplements aren’t independently checked against their labels before they’re sold. That’s why, when scientists test supplements against their labels, they keep finding products with far less, far more, or none of what’s claimed.
All claims on this page are supported by published human clinical research. Only human RCTs and meta-analyses of human RCTs are cited. No animal or in vitro studies are referenced as evidence for product claims.
1
US Preventive Services Task Force, Folic Acid Supplementation for the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects, 2023 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37526713/
2
American Academy of Pediatrics, Folic Acid for the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/104/2/325/62434/Folic-Acid-for-the-Prevention-of-Neural-Tube
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 https://quatrefolic.com/news/new-findings-reveal-superior-folate-bioavailability-solution/
4
Quatrefolic, Clinical Bioavailability Evidence, Gnosis S.p.A. https://quatrefolic.com/what-is-quatrefolic/innovative-folate/
5
PMC, Homocysteine Metabolism Gene Polymorphisms in Singapore ethnic groups, MTHFR 677T allele frequency data https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3310006/
