What Is Levomefolic Acid & What Foods Can I Find It In?

3D-model of Levomefolic acid (src)

Levomefolic acid is also known as vitamin B9, the primary biologically active form of folate.

It is also the folate form found in our circulation and transported across our membranes, into tissues and across the blood-brain barrier.

Levomefolic acid is a powerful antioxidant that is needed for a healthy body, a healthy immune system, and a healthy nervous system.

Table of Contents

Levomefolic Acid Is A Folate

Levomefolic acid is also known as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF).

It’s an important biological metabolite of folates, also called vitamin B9. (source )

Levomefolic acid is the main form of folate found in blood circulation. (source )

Benefits Of Levomefolic Acid

Levomefolic acid is needed for healthy brain function.

It is used in the treatment of folic acid deficiency anemias, and in the treatment of diseases such as neoplasms.

It is used for pregnant women in order to prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.

It also has been used to treat acne.

All folates are good

It has been suggested that all folates possess antioxidant properties. (source )

But it also helps to reduce homocysteine, which has been linked to cardiovascular disease.

Levomefolic Acid Deficiency

Deficiency of levomefolic acid and other folates can lead to disturbance of DNA synthesis, and consequently, megaloblastic anemia. (source )

Lack of levomefolic acid has been linked to decreased attention span, poor memory, and problems with learning.

The clinical presentation of levomefolic acid deficiency can vary from mild to severe, and symptoms may be nonspecific, making diagnosis difficult.

Foods You Can Find Levomefolic Acid In

Romaine lettuce, whole leafs
Romaine lettuce contains levomefolic acid

You find Levomefolic Acid mostly in vegetable products.

Examples of food sources include

Foods in our nutrition tool

You can find regularly updated top-ranked lists of foods for over 200+ nutrients in our nutrition tool.

We currently have just a few foods in our nutrition tool that contain Levomefolic Acid.

Here's our short list of foods that contain Levomefolic Acid.

Sara Niemelä

co-founder Care Omnia, Head Content Creator

Author Image of Sara Niemelä

Nutrition is my passion. I've spent thousands upon thousands of hours reading, analyzing, categorizing and comparing research studies.

I’m a wife and a mother of three. I enjoy the outdoors, cooking, and spending time with my family.