Synonyms/Common Names/Related Substances:

• 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate, B complex vitamin, Equaline™, folacin, folic acid, folinic acid, Folvite^®, heptaglutamyl folic acid, hexaglutamyl folic acid, L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate, leucovorin, methyltetrahydrofolate, monoglutamyl folic acid, Nature Made^®, Nutri Plus^®, polyglutamyl folic acid, pteroylglutamic acid, pteroylmonoglutamic acid, pteroylpolyglutamate, Safeway™, Sunmark™, vitamin B9, vitamin M, Your Life^®.
• Select combination products: Beyaz™ (birth control pill plus folate).

Clinical Bottom Line/Effectiveness

Brief Background:

• Folate and folic acid are forms of the water-soluble B9 vitamin. Folate occurs naturally in food, and folic acid is the synthetic form of this vitamin. Folic acid is well-tolerated in amounts found in fortified foods and supplements. Sources of folate include cereals, baked goods, leafy vegetables (spinach, broccoli, lettuce), okra, asparagus, fruits (bananas, melons, lemons), legumes, yeast, mushrooms, organ meat (beef liver, kidney), orange juice, and tomato juice. Folic acid is frequently used in combination with other B vitamins in vitamin B complex formulations.
• Folic acid is effective at increasing folate levels in blood and decreasing symptoms associated with inadequate folate status. Folic acid supplementation, with or without other B vitamins, has been shown repeatedly to reduce homocysteine levels in blood in individuals with normal levels or in those with hyperhomocysteinemia.
• Folic acid supplements are suggested for use in women of childbearing age in order to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs). NTD risk appears to have decreased in many countries since folic acid fortification of flour and cereals.
• Folic acid is also of interest with respect to cognitive enhancement, cancer, psychiatric illnesses, and cardiovascular conditions, although conclusions may not be drawn for many of these uses. Some concern exists with respect to increased folic acid intake masking symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, especially in the elderly population.

Dosing/Toxicology

• Content available for subscribers only.

Precautions/Contraindications

• Content available for subscribers only.

Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

• Content available for subscribers only.

Mechanism of Action

• Content available for subscribers only.

History

• Content available for subscribers only.

Evidence Table

• Content available for subscribers only.

Evidence Discussion

• Content available for subscribers only.

Products Studied

• Content available for subscribers only.

Author Information

• Content available for subscribers only.

References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

• Content available for subscribers only.