Folate vs folic acid

Is folate ok? Anyone have any brand recs? I've started my sway and haven't gotten supplments yet.


sorry for the multiple posts. I'm the type that has a lot of questions and I don't want to big atomic too much. Haha.

Folate. I got mine at Sprouts! :)

I can only get folic acid :)

Folate is the form of the vitamin that occurs naturally in food whereas folic acid is synthetic and is typically found in tablets or fortified foods like white bread. Both have to be further modified by your body to provide benefit. Folic acid is quite safe, side effects only start as you get into the 5-15mg range (most prenatals top out at 1mg). There are other synthetic folate derivatives on the market besides folic acid that are promoted as metabolically active, so if you have an enzyme deficiency you still get benefit. I'd hesitate to pay the higher cost for these new products unless your OB or midwife recommended them, most folks are just fine with regular folic acid. If your heart is set on folate look for food-based vitamins, they are more likely to contain folate vs folic acid.

I'd rather have folate, I think. I used to take food based organic vitamins that had folate in them instead of folic acid anyway. I just won't be taking vitamins to TTC this time around since I'm swaying girl.

Folate is better but is so expensive that many people might not get or use enough. Folic acid is fine for the majority of people and is much more affordable. THe only people who shouldn't use folic are those with MTHFR or history of repeat unexplained losses. EVeyrone else can use folic acid instead if they so choose.

I got Solgar brand on amazon of 800mg folate. (My supp problem is I look for tablets or vegan capsules). I switched to folate after chatting with my midwife. Current DS was born with a lip tie, she said there might have been a corelation ...

Folate is better if you can afford it...Amazon carries it!

Got some 400 microgram capsules at a local store a few days ago. I'm going to start taking 3 pills a day. :)