5-MTHF (methylated folate)

6S-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt

Last updated 2026-05-19 · 3 primary citations

Mechanism

Folate is the raw material your body uses to keep nerve cells healthy and to recycle a toxic byproduct called homocysteine. When homocysteine builds up, it accelerates brain shrinkage. The famous VITACOG trial showed that giving the right form of folate, B12, and B6 together slowed brain shrinkage by 30–50% in older adults with high homocysteine.

Why we use it

Perimenopause is when homocysteine often starts to creep up, and a large fraction of women can't process regular folic acid efficiently. We use the already-activated form so it works regardless of genetics — and we pair it with active B12 and B6 (next two rows) because they only work as a trio.

How we dose it

Hericea uses 800 mcg per serving (per AM stick pack). The clinical trial range that anchors this dose is 0.4–0.8 mg/day.

800 mcg of the already-activated form of folate. About 30–40% of women have a genetic variant (called MTHFR) that makes it hard for them to use regular folic acid. This active form skips that step.

Quality & sourcing

Quatrefolic® 6S-5-MTHF glucosamine salt — the stable active methylfolate form.

Gnosis by Lesaffre-licensed supply.

Primary literature

Smith AD et al. (2010)

PLOS One

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RCT (VITACOG) · 271 people · 104 weeks · Adults 70+ with mild cognitive impairment + high homocysteine

B-vitamin trio (folate + B12 + B6) reduced brain shrinkage by up to 50% at 24 months in adults whose homocysteine started elevated.

The single most important B-vitamin-and-brain trial ever run. It changed how we think about preventing cognitive decline.

DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0012244

Douaud G et al. (2013)

PNAS

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MRI sub-study (VITACOG)

Showed on brain scans that the same B-vitamin trio specifically protected the regions of the brain most vulnerable to Alzheimer's.

Visual proof on MRI that this protocol does what it claims — directly maps the protection to memory-relevant brain regions.

DOI 10.1073/pnas.1301816110

Kacerova T et al. (2025)

Alzheimers Dement

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Metabolomics analysis (VITACOG)

A modern re-analysis of VITACOG samples showed exactly which biochemical pathways B vitamins influence to slow brain shrinkage.

Most recent study explaining how the VITACOG protocol works under the hood — the kind of follow-up that confirms a finding rather than weakens it.

DOI 10.1002/alz.70521