Scientists tested a new type of folate supplement called sodium L-methylfolate to make sure it’s safe for people to eat. Folate is a B vitamin that helps your body work properly. Researchers gave this supplement to rats at very high doses and checked for any harmful effects, including whether it could damage DNA or cause other health problems. The supplement passed all the safety tests with flying colors. This research suggests that sodium L-methylfolate could be a safe alternative to regular folic acid supplements that people currently use.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a new folate supplement called sodium L-methylfolate is safe to use in foods and supplements
  • Who participated: Laboratory rats received the supplement in two studies lasting 14 days and 90 days. The rats received doses up to 1000 mg per kilogram of body weight, which is much higher than any human would ever take
  • Key finding: The supplement did not cause any harmful effects in the rats, including no damage to DNA, no changes in blood work, and no organ damage, even at the highest doses tested
  • What it means for you: This research suggests sodium L-methylfolate appears safe as a folate source, but these are early laboratory studies. More human studies are needed before we know exactly how safe it is for people to use regularly

The Research Details

Scientists conducted laboratory safety tests on sodium L-methylfolate following official testing guidelines. They performed two main types of experiments: first, they tested whether the supplement could damage DNA or cause genetic mutations using bacterial cells and rat cells in test tubes. Second, they gave rats the supplement by mouth for either 14 days or 90 days at very high doses and carefully monitored everything about their health.

The researchers checked many different health markers including how much the rats ate and weighed, their blood work, urine tests, organ size, and even looked at their organs under a microscope after the studies ended. They also tested the rats’ eyesight and nervous system function. This thorough approach helps scientists understand if a substance could cause problems in living animals.

Testing in animals before human use is a required safety step that helps protect people. These preclinical studies are designed to catch any serious safety problems early. The fact that researchers tested at doses much higher than humans would ever take means they were looking for safety problems even in extreme situations. This type of testing is the standard first step before any new food ingredient or supplement can be considered for human use.

This study followed official international guidelines for safety testing, which makes the results reliable and comparable to other similar studies. The researchers tested at very high doses, which is good for finding problems. However, this is laboratory research in animals, not humans, so we can’t be completely certain the results apply to people. The study was published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, meaning other experts reviewed the work before publication.

What the Results Show

The sodium L-methylfolate supplement did not damage DNA or cause genetic mutations in any of the laboratory tests. When rats ate the supplement for 14 days or 90 days, even at extremely high doses, they showed no signs of illness or health problems. The rats’ body weights, food intake, and organ sizes remained normal. Blood tests, urine tests, and microscopic examination of organs showed no harmful changes.

The only finding was a small, non-harmful change in an enzyme called creatine kinase in the rats’ blood. This type of change is considered a normal adaptation to high doses and not a sign of actual damage, especially since the researchers found no corresponding damage to muscles or other tissues. This is similar to how your muscles might show slight changes after intense exercise, but that doesn’t mean you’re hurt.

Eye exams and nervous system tests showed no problems. The rats’ ability to see and their neurological function remained completely normal throughout the studies. These additional tests are important because they check different body systems that might be affected by a new substance.

The results match what scientists have found with a similar folate supplement called calcium L-methylfolate, which has been studied in both animals and humans. This consistency across different forms of the same supplement and across different research groups gives us more confidence in the safety findings. The negative results (meaning no problems found) are consistent with what we already know about related folate supplements.

This research was done in rats, not humans, so we can’t be completely certain the results apply to people. The study tested very high doses that are much larger than anyone would actually take, so it doesn’t tell us about safety at normal doses. This is a preclinical study, meaning it’s a first step before human testing. We would need human studies to fully understand how safe this supplement is for regular use in people. The study also doesn’t tell us whether the supplement actually works as intended in humans or how well people’s bodies can use it.

The Bottom Line

Based on this laboratory research, sodium L-methylfolate appears to be safe as a folate source. However, confidence in this recommendation is moderate because these are animal studies. If you’re considering taking this supplement, talk to your doctor first, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have any health conditions. Your doctor can help you decide if it’s right for you.

This research matters to people who take folate supplements, pregnant women who need extra folate, people with certain genetic conditions that affect folate use, and food manufacturers considering new folate sources. People with folate deficiency or those taking medications that affect folate levels should definitely discuss this with their doctor. This research is less relevant to people who get enough folate from their regular diet.

This is early-stage safety research, so there’s no timeline for seeing benefits yet. Human studies would need to be conducted to understand how quickly the supplement works and how long you’d need to take it. Safety benefits (knowing it won’t cause harm) could theoretically apply immediately, but we need human research to confirm this.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you start taking a sodium L-methylfolate supplement, track your daily intake amount (in micrograms) and note any changes in energy levels, mood, or overall wellness on a weekly basis. This helps you and your doctor monitor whether the supplement is working for you.
  • Users could set a daily reminder to take their folate supplement at the same time each day and log it in the app. They could also track their dietary folate intake from foods like leafy greens and legumes to see their total folate consumption.
  • Over 2-3 months, track consistency of supplement use and any health changes you notice. Share this data with your doctor at your next checkup. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, work with your healthcare provider to monitor folate levels through blood tests if recommended.

This research describes laboratory safety testing in animals and does not replace medical advice. Sodium L-methylfolate is not yet approved for human use in all countries. Before taking any new supplement, including folate supplements, consult with your healthcare provider, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have existing health conditions. This article summarizes research findings but should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. Individual responses to supplements vary, and what’s safe in laboratory studies may have different effects in real people.