Is there a difference between folate and folic acid?

Yes: Folates (folic acid) occur naturally in foods and are biologically active. Folic acid is the oxidized form of folate (folic acid). It is made synthetically and widely used as a food supplement. In the body it is converted by the liver to active forms of folate (folic acid) in a 2 step process.

No: Folic acid, AKA folate (folic acid) (vit B9), is recommended for all women wanting to get pregnant -- 0.4mg (400mcg) daily, which is important for preventing birth defects like spina bifida. Women w/ a hx these disorders should take 10x that amt daily -- 4mg (4000mcg) through the 3rd month of pregnancy. It won't affect fertility, chances of conception/twins, or periods. Can help with anemia.

Yes: Folic acid is synthetic, and is converted very slowly to active folate. The unconverted folic acid does bad things, including down-regulate folate receptors. Avoid folic acid, and instead take natural folates.

Natural vs synthetic: Folates (folic acid) occur naturally in foods and are biologically active. Folic acid is the oxidized form of folate (folic acid). It is made synthetically and widely used as a food supplement. In the body it is converted by the liver to active forms of folate (folic acid) in a 2 step process.

Synthetic v natural: Folate (folic acid) is the naturally occurring form of the b vitamin. Folic acid is the synthetic form. Synthetic Folic Acid is mostly absorbed, folate (folic acid) only partially.