Bariatric vitamins · 4 min read

Methylated Iron? What "Methylated" Means on a Bariatric Multivitamin Label

By Shiny Leaf Team · November 12, 2026

Short answer

There is no methylated iron: on a bariatric multivitamin label, "methylated" describes the form of two B vitamins, B12 as methylcobalamin and folate as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. The iron in Shiny Leaf's with-iron capsule is 45 mg of ferrous fumarate, printed plainly on the Supplement Facts panel.

"Methylated iron" is one of the most common searches that lands on our bariatric multivitamin page, and here's the honest answer: the iron in the capsule isn't methylated. The word on the front of the bottle is about two B vitamins.

This post walks through what "methylated" means, where to find it on a Supplement Facts panel, and how to read the rest of the label with confidence. Which bottle is right for you, how much, and when: those are questions for your bariatric team.

What does "methylated" mean on a multivitamin label?

A methyl group is a tiny cluster of one carbon and three hydrogen atoms. When a vitamin is sold in a form that already carries one, the label calls it methylated.

On a bariatric multivitamin, the word almost always points to two B vitamins:

Vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin. On our label: 1,000 mcg per capsule.
Folate as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, often shortened to 5-MTHF or L-methylfolate. On our label: 1,333 mcg DFE per capsule.

Our product page describes these as the bioactive forms. Other multivitamins list B12 as cyanocobalamin and folate as folic acid, which are the non-methylated forms. Neither is a secret; the form is printed in parentheses right after the nutrient name.

"Methylated" describes the form of B12 and folate. It's a label word, not a separate ingredient.

So is there such a thing as methylated iron?

Not on a supplement label, and not in ours. The iron in our Methylated Bariatric Multivitamin with Iron is listed as Iron (from Ferrous Fumarate) 45 mg. Ferrous fumarate is a common iron salt, and the panel names it plainly.

The confusion is easy to understand. Our front label says "Methylated Bariatric" on one line and "Multivitamin with Iron 45mg" on the next, so the two phrases get read together. Searching "methylated iron" is really searching for a methylated multivitamin that also contains iron. That's exactly what this bottle is.

If your bariatric team has you on a separate iron plan, the same methylated formula is available without iron. Both sit in the bariatric supplements collection.

A single beige vegetable capsule resting on a folded white linen napkin beside a glass of water — One capsule a day, per the directions on the label.

How do you read a Supplement Facts panel?

Every line follows the same pattern, and once you see it you can't unsee it.

Reading one line of the panel

Nutrient name. Vitamin B12, Folate, Iron.
Form, in parentheses. "as Methylcobalamin," "as 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate," "from Ferrous Fumarate." This is where "methylated" lives.
Amount per serving. In mg or mcg. Folate is shown in mcg DFE (dietary folate equivalents), vitamin A in mcg RAE.
Serving size, at the top of the panel. Ours is one capsule, so the numbers are per capsule.
Other ingredients, below the line. Ours lists a vegetable cellulose capsule and organic rice concentrate, on both versions.

Keep the bottle in hand at your next appointment. Your bariatric team can read the panel with you and match it to your plan.

Name, form, amount. Three things on every line of the panel.

What else does "methylated" sit next to on our label?

Here are the lines people ask about most, as printed on the two product pages.

Label line	With iron	Iron free
Vitamin B12	Methylcobalamin, 1,000 mcg	Methylcobalamin, 1,000 mcg
Folate	5-MTHF, 1,333 mcg DFE	5-MTHF, 1,333 mcg DFE
Iron	Ferrous fumarate, 45 mg	None
Vitamin D	Cholecalciferol (D3), 75 mcg	Cholecalciferol (D3), 75 mcg
Biotin	600 mcg	600 mcg
Vitamin C	Ascorbic acid, 130 mg	Ascorbic acid, 130 mg
Capsule	Vegetable cellulose, one a day	Vegetable cellulose, one a day

The rest of the panel, vitamins A, E and K, the B-complex, zinc, selenium, iodine, magnesium, copper, manganese, chromium and molybdenum, is identical on both bottles. The product pages note the amounts follow ASMBS guidance for people after bariatric surgery; your bariatric team can tell you how that applies to you.

Shiny Leaf Bariatric Multivitamin Iron Free bottle on a kitchen table next to an open blank notebook, a pen and a mug of coffee — Jot down your questions before the appointment.

What should you ask your bariatric team?

Labels tell you what's in the bottle. Your team tells you what you need. Bring these along:

Questions for your bariatric team

Do you want my multivitamin to include iron, or should I take iron separately?
Is a methylated B12 and folate the form you prefer for me?
How many capsules a day, and with which meal?
When should we check in on my plan again?

Which bottle, how much, and when: three questions, one conversation with your bariatric team.

How do you make a once-a-day capsule a habit?

The label says one capsule a day, or as directed by your bariatric team. Simple is what sticks:

Keep the bottle next to something you already use every morning, like the coffee maker.
Take it the way your bariatric team told you to.
Mark your calendar at the 90-day point and look back at how the routine has gone.
Set Subscribe & Save so the next bottle arrives before the last capsule.

Frequently asked questions

Is there methylated iron in Shiny Leaf's bariatric multivitamin?

No. The iron is ferrous fumarate, 45 mg per capsule. "Methylated" on the label refers to B12 (methylcobalamin) and folate (5-methyltetrahydrofolate).

Are both the with-iron and iron-free versions methylated?

Yes. Both use the same methylcobalamin and 5-MTHF, at the same amounts.

How do I tell if a multivitamin is methylated?

Read the form in parentheses on the Supplement Facts panel. "Methylcobalamin" and "5-methyltetrahydrofolate" (or "L-methylfolate") are the methylated forms.

Which version should I take?

That's a question for your bariatric team. They know your history and your plan.

Can I open the capsule?

The product page says you can, though it isn't recommended because the contents can spill and taste like vitamin powder. Ask your bariatric team first if swallowing capsules is difficult.