Folic acid or L-methylfolate: what’s the difference

Short answer: the form, the dose and the price differ. Folijskābe 400 µg costs €2.85, and one pack lasts 60 days, which works out at €1.43 per 30 days. L-metilfolāts costs €4.20, the dose is 2 tablets a day, and a pack lasts 30 days, so €4.20 per 30 days. Both are food supplements containing folate. Delivery across Latvia in 1–3 working days after payment, free delivery from €20. Prices checked 9 November 2026.

Is folic acid the same as L-methylfolate?

No. These are two different folate forms, and the difference shows up right in the ingredient list. Folijskābe tablets contain pteroilmonoglutamic acid, while L-metilfolāts tablets contain calcium L-methylfolate. Both products are listed as containing folate.

The dose differs too. One Folijskābe tablet contains 400 µg of folic acid, and the daily dose is one tablet. One L-metilfolāts tablet contains 400 µg of vitamin B9, but the daily dose is two tablets, which together give 800 µg, or 400 % of the NRV. The L-metilfolāts label also states a duration of use: 30 days.

On Vissveselibai.lv, the product is listed as Folijskābe 400 µg.

What does a 30-day course of folate cost?

Folijskābe costs €1.43 per 30 days, L-metilfolāts €4.20 and B vitamīnu komplekss €3.59.

The price per 30 days is simple arithmetic: pack price divided by the number of tablets in the pack, multiplied by the tablets per day, multiplied by 30. For Folijskābe that is €2.85 ÷ 60 × 1 × 30 = €1.43. For L-metilfolāts it is €4.20 ÷ 60 × 2 × 30 = €4.20. Two products with the same number of tablets in the pack therefore end up costing very different amounts.

At Vissveselibai.lv the price per 30 days starts from €1.43. Half of the 78 products we have calculated a 30-day price for come in at up to €3.52. Folijskābe 400 µg is among the cheapest products in the store, so it is a good choice if you want a low monthly cost.

What is a label allowed to say about folate?

A label may only use officially authorised health claims, and these claims are worded about folate. In all three products the folate amount exceeds 15 % of the NRV: 200 % in Folijskābe, 400 % per day in L-metilfolāts and 100 % in B vitamīnu komplekss.

The authorised claims about folate are:
– Folate contributes to normal amino acid synthesis
– Folate contributes to normal blood formation
– Folate contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism
– Folate contributes to normal psychological function
– Folate contributes to the normal function of the immune system
– Folate contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue
– Folate has a role in the process of cell division

Health claims apply in the context of a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

The usual label wording comes on top of that: a food supplement is not a substitute for a complete and balanced diet. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.

Can you take folate products during pregnancy?

The labels of L-metilfolāts and B vitamīnu komplekss state directly that they are not recommended for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The Folijskābe label carries no such note.

If you are planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about supplements.

How long does one pack last?

One pack of Folijskābe lasts 60 days, while L-metilfolāts and B vitamīnu komplekss last 30 days. The reason is the tablet count and the dose. The Folijskābe pack holds 60 tablets and the daily dose is one, so it covers 60 days. The L-metilfolāts pack also holds 60 tablets, but the daily dose is two, so it covers 30 days. B vitamīnu komplekss holds 30 tablets, one a day, which is 30 days.

How is B vitamīnu komplekss different?

B vitamīnu komplekss is a broader product in which folic acid is only one of the ingredients. One tablet contains vitamin B1 1.4 mg (127.3 % of the NRV), B2 1.6 mg (114.3 %), B3 18 mg NE (112.5 %), B5 6 mg (100 %), B6 2 mg (142.9 %), biotin 150 µg (300 %), folic acid 200 µg (100 %) and B12 1 µg (40 %). PABA 31.5 mg is listed separately as well.

The pack holds 30 tablets, the dose is one tablet a day, so the pack lasts 30 days. The price is €3.59, which is €3.59 per 30 days. If you want a single product with several B group vitamins, this is a convenient option.

Frequently asked questions

Is folic acid the same as folate?

The product names differ: Folijskābe 400 µg is listed with folic acid 400 µg per tablet, which is 200 % of the NRV, while L-metilfolāts is listed with vitamin B9 400 µg per tablet; two tablets give 800 µg, or 400 % of the NRV. Both products are listed as containing folate. The authorised claims are worded about folate.

Which of the three products should I choose?

If you want the lowest price per 30 days, choose Folijskābe 400 µg: the pack costs €2.85, which is €1.43 per 30 days. If you prefer a product with a two-tablet daily dose, L-metilfolāts costs €4.20. All three can be ordered at Vissveselibai.lv.

Can I order without registering?

Yes, at Vissveselibai.lv you can place an order without registering. Delivery across Latvia takes 1–3 working days after payment, free delivery applies from €20 and the cheapest delivery costs €1.99.

How long should I take L-metilfolāts?

The label states a duration of use of 30 days, at two tablets a day. The pack holds 60 tablets, which is exactly 30 days. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.

Can I return the product?

Yes, Vissveselibai.lv offers 14 days to withdraw. The product must be unopened and in its original packaging. Before ordering, it is worth checking which form and dose suits you better.

If you are looking for the lowest price per 30 days, choose Folijskābe 400 µg at €2.85, which is €1.43 per 30 days. If you need a product with a two-tablet daily dose, L-metilfolāts costs €4.20. All three can be ordered at Vissveselibai.lv, free delivery from €20, delivery in 1–3 working days.