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Vitamin

Folic Acid

Folic acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B9 used in supplements and fortified foods. The body converts it into active forms of folate.

Also listed as Vitamin B9, Pteroyl L-glutamic acid

Women's HormonesEssential HealthFertilityCardiovascularCognition

What about methylfolate?

Some products contain 5-MTHF, also called L-methylfolate. NIH describes its absorption as similar to or greater than that of folic acid, but absorption alone does not establish superiority for preventing birth defects. NIH reports that CDC recommends folic acid for people who could become pregnant, including those with the common MTHFR 677C>T variant. 1

Which number on the label matters?

US labels list folate in mcg DFE and show added folic acid in parentheses. Folic acid appears in prenatal vitamins, B-complex products and single-ingredient supplements, so several products can contribute to the same daily intake. The upper limit concerns supplemental and fortified forms, not naturally occurring food folate. 1

Sources

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