Skip to content
DE
Vitamin

Folate

Folate is vitamin B9, a water-soluble B vitamin found in leafy greens, legumes and liver. The body needs it to make DNA and new cells.

Essential HealthFertilityWomen's HormonesStress & MoodCardiovascular

Folate, folic acid, or methylfolate?

Folate is the umbrella term. Folic acid is used in fortified foods and supplements; methylfolate is also sold as 5-MTHF. 1

Does an MTHFR variant rule out folic acid?

No. CDC says common variants do not prevent its use and that folic acid is the only form shown to prevent neural tube defects. Easier biochemical processing of another form is not the same as demonstrated prevention. 2

Why do US labels show two numbers?

DFE accounts for different absorption. NIH lists 400 mcg folic acid as 680 mcg DFE on supplement labels; US labels show the actual folic acid amount in parentheses. 1

Sources

  1. Folate: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals NIH Office of Dietary Supplements