An internist at SortinoMD in Boca Raton, Florida, Naval Parikh, MD, also serves as the clinical site coordinator of NAPA Research in Fort Lauderdale. Dr. Naval Parikh has also been published in the Journal of Molecular Medicine for his investigation of the relationship between folate and depression.
Many people use the terms folic acid and folate interchangeably due to their similar names and characteristics. However, they are different forms of vitamin B9.
A naturally-occurring form of vitamin B9, folate is found primarily in leafy vegetables, which are a good dietary source of it. Once digested, most dietary folate is converted into 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). The biologically-active form of vitamin B9, 5-MTHF is essential for fueling the cells that drive the creation of genes, DNA, and chromosomes in the body.
Conversely, folic acid, also known as pteroylmonoglutamic acid, is a synthetic form of vitamin B9. It’s found in many supplements and as an additive to processed food products, such as fortified breakfast cereals and flour.
Unlike folate, folic acid is not immediately converted to 5-MTHF upon entering the digestive system. Instead, it must be converted to dihydrofolate (DHF) and tetrahydrofolate (THF) first. This process is time-consuming and may result in undigested folic acid being found in a person’s body. When left unmetabolized, folic acid increases the risk of cancer and may prevent the diagnosis and treatment of a vitamin B12 deficiency.
