folic

Folic is a term that most commonly refers to folic acid or folate, a family of water-soluble B vitamins essential for growth and cell division. In medical and nutritional usage, folate denotes naturally occurring compounds in foods; folic acid is the synthetic form used in supplements and food fortification.

Biological role: Folate functions as carriers of one-carbon units in metabolism, critical for thymidylate and purine synthesis, and for methionine production via remethylation of homocysteine. In humans, adequate folate is necessary for DNA synthesis and repair. In early pregnancy, folate is particularly important for neural tube development, and deficiency increases risk of neural tube defects.

Deficiency and excess: Deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia and elevated homocysteine; chronic deficiency can impair growth and cognitive function. High intake of synthetic folic acid can mask B12 deficiency and may interact with certain medications.

Diet and intake: Source foods include dark leafy greens, legumes, liver, and citrus fruits; many countries fortify cereals with folic acid. Recommended daily allowances vary: about 400 micrograms for adults, 600 micrograms for pregnant people, and 500 micrograms for lactating individuals. The upper intake level for supplemental folic acid is 1000 micrograms per day.

Etymology and usage: The word folic derives from Latin folium meaning leaf. In modern usage, folate refers to naturally occurring vitamers, while folic acid is the synthetic form.