Difference Between Folic Acid and Folate

Folate is the natural form of vitamin B9 in food, while folic acid is a synthetic form. High intake of folic acid may lead to increased blood levels of unmetabolized folic acid.

1. Is Folate or folic acid better?
2. Is folic acid the same as folate?
3. Do you need folate or folic acid when pregnant?
4. Why folic acid is bad?
5. Is it OK to take folate instead of folic acid?
6. What type of folate is best?
7. Can you have too much folate?
8. Which is one of the first symptoms of folate deficiency?
9. Does folate help hair growth?
10. How much folate do you need when pregnant?
11. Which folic acid is best for conceiving?
12. Is too much folate bad for pregnancy?

Is Folate or folic acid better?

In terms of providing the body with available nutrient, dietary folate—the form found in whole foods—is preferable to the synthetic folic acid found in supplements and processed foods. It is both more readily available to the body, and it does not pose the same potential risks of build up.

Is folic acid the same as folate?

The terms “folic acid” and “folate” often are used interchangeably. However, folate is a general term used to describe the many different forms of vitamin B9: folic acid, dihydrofolate (DHF), tetrahydrofolate (THF), 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (5, 10-MTHF), and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) ¹.

Do you need folate or folic acid when pregnant?

Folate and folic acid are important for pregnancy since they can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Folate is a B group vitamin needed for healthy growth and development.

Why folic acid is bad?

Several studies indicate that chronically elevated levels of unmetabolized folic acid may have adverse health effects, including: Increased cancer risk. High levels of unmetabolized folic acid have been associated with increased cancer risk.

Is it OK to take folate instead of folic acid?

As such women taking folic acid may not be absorbing their B vitamins as expected. For this reason it's preferable to take folate either from whole food sources or supplements that containing the natural form of active folate instead of synthesized folic acid whenever possible.

What type of folate is best?

It's best to get vitamin B9 from whole foods. High-folate foods include asparagus, avocados, Brussels sprouts, and leafy greens like spinach and lettuce. However, for some people, such as pregnant women, supplements are an easy way to ensure adequate vitamin B9 intake.

Can you have too much folate?

You can't get too much from foods that naturally contain folate. You should not get more than 1,000 micrograms of folic acid a day, unless your doctor prescribes a higher amount. Too much folic acid can hide signs that you lack vitamin B12, which can cause nerve damage.

Which is one of the first symptoms of folate deficiency?

Common symptoms of folate deficiency can include:

• Tiredness, fatigue and lethargy.
• Muscle weakness.
• Neurological signs, such as a feeling of pins and needles, tingling, or burning, or peripheral neuropathy, i.e. a numbness in the extremities.

Does folate help hair growth?

Folic acid is primarily responsible for healthy cell growth. These cells include those found inside your skin tissues as well as in your hair and nails. Such effects on your hair has spurred interest in folic acid as a possible hair-growth treatment measure. Additionally, folic acid helps keep red blood cells healthy.

How much folate do you need when pregnant?

Dietary folate

Folate requirements increase substantially in pregnancy, so women should aim to consume at least 600 mcg of folate from their normal daily diet.

Which folic acid is best for conceiving?

“Though, more testing is needed.” For pregnant women, the RDA of folic acid is 600 micrograms (mcg). Additionally, it's recommended that women who are planning to become pregnant or who may become pregnant supplement with a daily dose of 400 to 800 mcg folic acid starting at least 1 month before becoming pregnant.

Is too much folate bad for pregnancy?

But even though folic acid is important, taking too much could be problematic. Research is pointing to some possible negative effects of consuming too much folic acid, such as impaired fetal growth, increased risks of childhood diseases like asthma and autism, and promoting the growth of some cancer cells.