Are folate and folic acid the same thing?

Question

Can you determine if you have too much iron in your body by your folate (folic acid) levels? My doc says its pretty much the same thing.....

Answer 1

Folate /folic acid: Yes the two words are used interchangeably.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

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.

Answer 4

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.

Answer 5

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.

Answer 6

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.

Answer 7

The same: Folic acid deficiency and folate (folic acid) deficiency are the same thing, just slightly different ways of saying it.

Answer 8

Yes: Pretty much the same thing= they lead to anemia Anemia may make you: Feel weak and tired. Feel lightheaded. Be forgetful. Feel grouchy. Lose your appetite and lose weight. Have trouble concentrating.

Are folate and folic acid the same thing?

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