Folate

Commonly noted

Commonly noted

Folate is a B vitamin the body uses to make DNA and to form red blood cells; the synthetic form, folic acid, is added to many fortified grains.

Low intake

Low folate status is commonly discussed in relation to tiredness and a type of anemia with enlarged red blood cells; adequate folate before and during early pregnancy is a widely discussed topic for the developing baby's neural tube.

Higher intake

Very high folic acid from supplements or fortified foods is commonly discussed in relation to masking the early signs of a vitamin B12 shortfall; the commonly cited upper level for adults is 1,000 mcg of folic acid a day, while folate from food is not capped.

Source: NIH ODS

Reference intakes

General reference figures for a typical adult, not a personal target.

• rdaadult400 mcgDRI/NASEM
• uladult1000 mcgDRI/NASEM