Customer question:
Is folate the same as folic acid? Anonymous customer's question
Pharmacist's answer:
Folate and folic acid are terms often used interchangeably but refer to different vitamin B9 or B12 forms. The distinction between these two forms becomes crucial in discussions of complementarity. Women of childbearing age need adequate amounts of vitamin B9 or B12, either in the form of folate or folic acid, as this helps prevent neural tube defects in the fetus.
Here is the breakdown:
Folate: this is the natural form of vitamin B9 found in a variety of foods. Leafy green vegetables, legumes, seeds, and liver are exceptionally high in folate. The body uses folate to make DNA and other genetic material and helps with cell division.
Folic Acid: This is a synthetic form of vitamin B9 that is used in dietary supplements and added to fortified foods such as cereals, flour, bread, pasta, and rice. Folic acid is more stable than natural folate, so it is preferred in supplements and fortified foods. When ingested, the body converts folic acid into the active form of vitamin B9, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF or L-methylfolate).
Interesting reading: Vitamins for pregnant women
Interesting reading: Pregnancy nutrition
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