What is the difference between folate and folic acid?

Folate and folic acid are both forms of a B vitamin. Folate occurs naturally in foods. Folic acid is its synthetic (man-made) form.

When taken before conception and during the first three months of pregnancy, both folate and folic acid may help prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. Folic acid can be found in most multivitamins and in a folic acid-only supplement. Folate can be found in smaller doses in foods, including fortified breakfast cereals; enriched breads and pasta; leafy vegetables (such as spinach, broccoli, and lettuce); legumes and lentils; okra and asparagus; mushrooms; organ meat (beef liver, kidney); fruits (oranges, bananas, melons, lemons); and orange juice, especially from concentrate.

April 2009