Brainstorms September 30, 2008

L-Methylfolate: A Vitamin for Your Monoamines

Stephen M. Stahl, MD, PhD

J Clin Psychiatry 2008;69(9):1352-1353

Article Abstract

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Folate (vitamin B9) is wellknown as one of the 13 essentialvitamins, but perhaps what is notas well known is that a derivative offolate—known as L-methylfolate—isactually the active form of the vitamin. One of L-methylfolate’s criticalroles is to regulate the synthesis of the3 monoamine neurotransmitters serotonin,dopamine, and norepinephrine.’ ‹