Folate and Folic Acid

Definition: Folate is a water-soluble vitamin found in leafy green vegetables such as spinach, fruits like oranges and strawberries, legumes and whole grains. Folic acid is a form of folate used in dietary supplements and is found in fortified breads and cereals.

Folate is required for production of new cells and for making DNA and RNA (the blueprints for your cells). Folate is also necessary for protein metabolism. A deficiency of folate may result in folate anemia.

Daily Requirements

1 to 3 years 150 mcg per day
4 to 8 years 200 mcg per day
9 to 13 years 300 mcg per day
14 to 18 years 400 mcg per day
19+ years 400 mcg per day

Folate (or folic acid supplements) is particularly important for women who are pregnant or about to become pregnant to prevent a birth defect called spina bifida and other neural tube defects.

Folic acid supplements also may reduce homocysteine levels in your blood, however folic acid supplementation does not appear to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Also Known As: vitamin B9, pteroylglutamic acid

_Source:

Office of Dietary Supplements. "Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Folate." National Institutes of Health. Updated 08/2005.