Methylated B Vitamins

When a vitamin is methylated, it contains a methyl group: a small chemical structure made up of one carbon and three hydrogen atoms. This methylated structure makes a vitamin more bioavailable because the body is able to absorb and use it immediately at the cellular level. 

Methyl groups are essential for biological processes that keep the body functioning properly - such as DNA methylation, which regulates gene expression.

Methylated B vitamins - particularly B12, B6, B9 (folate) - are all necessary for one-carbon metabolism. 

One-carbon metabolism is a series of chemical reactions that transfer methyl groups around the body. These reactions are essential for energy production, DNA synthesis and turning genes on or off. 

Methylated B vitamins work together with other methyl-donor nutrients, including methionine, betaine, choline and zinc - to keep this process efficient.

Methylation acts like your body’s internal communication network, using chemical ‘tags’ to signal which genes should be active or inactive. Methylated B vitamins supply these tags, keeping the system running smoothly so that vital processes such as energy production and cellular repair can happen when they should.

Within the brain, methyl-donor nutrients are required for epigenetic modifications, cellular membrane structures and producing neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.¹

Methylfolate, or B9, and B12 (including methylcobalamin, one of the active forms of B12) are both B vitamins, but have slightly different roles. 

Methylfolate is the most bioactive form of folate (vitamin B9). Folate is required for many processes that contribute to cardiovascular, neurological and developmental health. This includes the conversion of homocysteine to methionine, DNA synthesis and repair, neurotransmitter synthesis and fetal development. 

Methylcobalamin is the active form of B12. B12 is required for healthy red blood cell production, maintenance of the myelin sheath and metabolizing fatty acids. It also works alongside folate in DNA synthesis as well as converting homocysteine to methionine for the creation of neurotransmitters. 

Methylfolate and methylcobalamin are the active, ready-to-use forms of these vitamins. Supplementing with these forms is often the most effective option as they require no further conversion in the body. They are especially beneficial for people with health conditions or genetic variants that interfere with the metabolism of non-methylated folate or B12.

Taking both methylated B12 and methylfolate allows them to work together efficiently.

People with MTHFR gene variants such as MTHFR C677T or A1298C have reduced function of the MTHFR enzyme, which means they cannot properly convert folic acid to its active form, methylfolate. 

Supplementing with methylated B vitamins, including methylfolate and methylcobalamin, can support methylation processes by providing these nutrients in their bioavailable forms, bypassing the need for conversion and making them immediately intracellularly available. This can help maintain healthy homocysteine levels and support the many processes required to sustain normal function.

Methylated B vitamin supplements are available in various forms, including capsules and chewable tablets. Ideally, they are combined with other methyl donors such as vitamin B2, B6, B12, and choline to enhance absorption and efficacy.³