Folic Acid

Properties of Folic acid

Folate vs Folic acid

• Folate is the naturally occurring form of vitamin B9 found in foods such as leafy greens, legumes, and citrus fruits, while folic acid is the synthetic form commonly used in fortified foods and dietary supplements.
• Folate is absorbed primarily in the small intestine, while folic acid is metabolized in the liver and other tissues.
• Folate has high bioavailability compared to folic acid. Folates are directly absorbed from food and made available for use, while folic acid needs to first be converted into its active form. 
• Folate is naturally found in foods and is easily degraded when exposed to heat and light While folic acid in supplements and fortified foods is more stable.

Methylfolate VS folic acid 

• Methylated folate (5-MTHF) is the naturally occurring, bioactive form of folate found in the body, while folic acid is a synthetic form found only in fortified foods, supplements, and pharmaceutical products.
  
• Methylated folate does not require conversion in the body to become active, whereas folic acid must first be converted into methylated folate through a process primarily occurring in the liver.
  
• Methylated folate has high bioavailability, meaning it is easily absorbed and utilized by the body without complex metabolic steps, unlike folic acid, which relies on efficient liver conversion, a process that may not work optimally in everyone.
• Methylated folate is the most common form of folate found naturally in the human body, making it more readily recognized and efficiently used compared to synthetic folic acid.

Uses of Folic Acid

• Used to treat folate deficiency anemia in patients with a poor diet and alcoholism.
• In controlling the amino acid homocysteine with the combination of B6, B12, and other nutrients.
• Folic acid is used in dietary supplements, fortified food products, and infant nutrition products.
• It is also used as a nutrient in cell culture media for DNA synthesis and cell growth.
• In population studies, it shows that people with a lower level of folic acid may have an increased risk of cancerous cell formation.
• It helps to prevent serious birth defects called neural tube defects (NTDs) and also lowers the risk of autism.
• Folic acid may help reduce the risk of miscarriage; however, clinical studies are underway to confirm its efficacy.

Side effects of Folic acid

Common Side Effects

• Loss of appetite
• Bloating or gas (flatulence)
• Nausea
• Sleep disturbances
• Confusion
• Unpleasant or foul-smelling breath

Adverse Reactions (Rare but Serious)

• Anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction)
• Skin rash
• Shortness of breath
• Itching
• Redness or swelling of the skin