What's the Difference Between Folate and Folic Acid?

The two terms are often used interchangeably, but folate and folic acid are not quite the same thing.

Do you know which one is in your prenatal supplement?

what is folate?

Folate, also known as Vitamin B9, is an important nutrient that we need in our diets daily. Vitamin B9 can be found in leafy greens, broccoli, and dried legumes such as beans and lentils.¹

This key nutrient is used by your body to make DNA and other genetic material, produce new cells, and to support nervous and immune system functions.¹

why you don’t want folic acid

Folic acid is the synthetically derived vitamin from the whole food form, folate. Folic acid does not naturally exist in nature. Research suggests folic acid is metabolized in the liver, but overtime the liver cannot properly synthesize folic acid, especially not in high concentrations.² This causes stress on the liver.

Too much synthetic folic acid may not be effective in preventing neural tube defects, and may actually increase the risk of certain cancers.¹

Pregnant women, women looking to become pregnant, or postpartum women should look to increase their intake of naturally-occurring folate by consuming more dark leafy greens, broccoli, spinach, dried legumes, and lentils.¹

The Easy Way to Get Food-Sourced Folate

Adding in an organic, whole food multivitamin supplement, like our Women’s PureFood A to Z or PureFood A to Z powders, is a quick and easy way to ensure you’re getting enough folate and other key nutrients during pregnancy. Our folate is sourced from lemons and dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard. All you need is 2 teaspoons a day in your smoothie, water, or juice.

Sources: Powers, H. (2007). Folic acid under scrutiny. <i>British Journal of Nutrition,</i> <i>98</i>(4), 665-666. doi:10.1017/S0007114507795326

women's multivitamin, organic supplement, natural vitamins

References

1 Powers, H. (2007). Folic acid under scrutiny. British Journal of Nutrition. 98, 665-666.

2 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/folic-acid-under-scrutiny/8ACF0A0D0A01F5FF648B0B95325E1053

3 https://nourishingourchildren.org/2014/12/27/folic-acid-versus-folate/

4 https://metabolichealing.com/folic-acid-folate-methylfolate-potential-problems-and-critical-distinctions/

5 https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/folate-folic-acid