The Difference between Folic Acid and Folate

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.

Research Shows Folic Acid May Help Ease Depression

A board-certified physician in private practice in Boca Raton, Florida, Naval Parikh, MD, also serves as the clinical site coordinator for NAPA Research. A frequent presenter to physician groups, Naval Parikh, MD, has published articles in peer-reviewed journals on topics such as the relationship between folate supplementation and depression. 

While many people associate folic acid intake with pregnancy, research shows that folate is a critical vitamin throughout life. Folic acid is needed to produce DNA and RNA, and it also serves as an essential component of neurotransmitters, which enable messages to be communicated through different parts of the brain. 

People who are deficient in folic acid generally have low levels of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), which is associated with depressive symptoms. A recent review of 11 studies that included 15,315 people revealed that low folic acid levels were linked with depression. This finding has led researchers to believe that increasing folic acid intake will trigger an increase in SAMe, which may lead to a reduction in depressive symptoms. 

However, depression is a complicated illness that generally requires more than one treatment. Those who think they are experiencing depression should seek medical advice and therapy in addition to considering an increase in folic acid intake.