Folate
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Evidence Summary
Folate is a critical B vitamin with extensive research focusing on its role in maternal health, cardiovascular regulation, and cognitive function. While its benefits for pregnancy outcomes are well-established, research regarding its impact on cardiovascular disease prevention and cognitive decline shows more varied results.
Evidence by Condition
Folic acid supplementation is strongly associated with improved maternal and neonatal outcomes and a reduced risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (PMID: 23543547, 33878280).
Evidence suggests potential benefits for lipid markers and blood pressure, but results for primary stroke prevention and coronary heart disease risk are inconsistent (PMID: 34002661, 34478339, 25771069).
B vitamin interventions, including folate, may impact cognitive function in older adults, though effectiveness may be influenced by mandatory fortification policies (PMID: 39064642, 34432056).
Systematic reviews have investigated the association between folate intake and the risk of pancreatic cancer (PMID: 32770489).
Effective Doses
Dose ranges not explicitly provided in the source text.
Key Findings
- Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy is linked to improved maternal and pregnancy outcomes (PMID: 23543547).
- Folic acid supplementation may have beneficial effects on lipid markers and blood pressure (PMID: 34002661, 34478339).
- The efficacy of folic acid for the primary prevention of stroke in hypertensive adults remains uncertain (PMID: 25771069).
Limitations
The effectiveness of folate-based interventions for cognitive function may be confounded by the presence of mandatory food fortification policies. Additionally, there is inconsistent data regarding its role in preventing specific cardiovascular events like stroke.
Safety & Interactions
No specific interactions or contraindications were mentioned in the provided research summaries.
AI-generated summary from 363 peer-reviewed studies. Not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider.
Dietary Reference Intakes
Source: IOM/NAM Dietary Reference Intakes · Dietary Reference Intakes: Folate (Vitamin B9, DFE)
Claims vs. Evidence
| Claim Type | % of Products | Evidence Required | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Other | 99% | Tier D (Unclassified) | ✅ Supported |
| Structure/Function | 77% | Tier C (DSHEA Structure/Function (no pre-approval)) | ✅ Supported |
| Nutrient | 60% | Tier D (Unknown) | ✅ Supported |
| Approved Health | 5% | Tier A (FDA Approved Health Claim (21 CFR 101.9)) | ✅ Supported |
| No Claim | 1% | Tier D (No claim on label) | ✅ Supported |
| Qualified Health | 1% | Tier B (FDA Qualified Health Claim) | ✅ Supported |
🏛️ NIH ODS Factsheet
Research by Topic
⚠️ FDA Safety Data
Research Evidence (363)
**Martí-Carvajal et al., 2017** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Martí-Carvajal Arturo J, Solà Ivan, ... Dayer Mark. Homocysteine-lowering interventions for preventing cardiovascular events. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017-Aug-17;8(8):CD...
**Lassi et al., 2015** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Lassi Zohra S, Bhutta Zulfiqar A. Community-based intervention packages for reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and improving neonatal outcomes. Cochrane Database ...
**Fu et al., 2021** | Dig Dis Sci | Meta Analysis Fu Hongjuan, Zeng Jie, ... Chang Hui. Folate Intake and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review and Updated Meta-Analysis of Epidemiological Studies. Dig Dis Sci. 2021-Jul;66(7):2368-2379. doi:...
**Yu et al., 2021** | J Pharm Pharm Sci | Meta Analysis Yu Yahui, Sun Ximu, ... Feng Xin. The Association Between the Risk of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Folic Acid: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2021;24:174-19...
The policies regarding the mandatory fortification of food with folic acid (FA) may impact the effectiveness of folate-based B vitamin treatment on cognitive function in older adults. We critically and systematically review the literature to assess w...
**Tavares et al., 2025** | J Clin Neurosci | Meta Analysis Tavares Rodrigues Luiz Phelipe, Medeiros de Souza Gabriel da Costa, ... Figueiredo Eberval Gadelha. Associations between serum Homocysteine, vitamin B9, and vitamin B12 levels and the formati...
**Jayedi et al., 2019** | Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr | Meta Analysis Jayedi Ahmad, Zargar Mahdieh Sadat. Intake of vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 and risk of coronary heart disease: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective ...
**Asbaghi et al., 2022** | Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr | Meta Analysis Asbaghi Omid, Ashtary-Larky Damoon, ... Naeini Amirmansour Alavi. Beneficial effects of folic acid supplementation on lipid markers in adults: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and do...
**Asbaghi et al., 2023** | Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr | Meta Analysis Asbaghi Omid, Salehpour Sara, ... Naeini Amirmansour Alavi. Folic acid supplementation and blood pressure: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of 41,633 ...
**Agarwal et al., 2025** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Agarwal Smisha, Chin Weng Yee, ... Lewin Simon. Digital tracking, provider decision support systems, and targeted client communication via mobile devices to improve primary health ...
**Mykoniatis et al., 2021** | JAMA Netw Open | Meta Analysis Mykoniatis Ioannis, Pyrgidis Nikolaos, ... Hatzichristou Dimitrios. Assessment of Combination Therapies vs Monotherapy for Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA ...
**Boedt et al., 2021** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Boedt Tessy, Vanhove Anne-Catherine, ... Lie Fong Sharon. Preconception lifestyle advice for people with infertility. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021-Apr-29;4(4):CD008189. doi:10.10...
**Wang et al., 2022** | Nutr Rev | Meta Analysis Wang Zhibin, Zhu Wei, ... Tang Yi. B vitamins and prevention of cognitive decline and incident dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Rev. 2022-Mar-10;80(4):931-949. doi:10.1093/nutrit/n...
**Lassi et al., 2013** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Lassi Zohra S, Salam Rehana A, ... Bhutta Zulfiqar A. Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy for maternal health and pregnancy outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013-Mar-28;...
IMPORTANCE: Uncertainty remains about the efficacy of folic acid therapy for the primary prevention of stroke because of limited and inconsistent data. OBJECTIVE: To test the primary hypothesis that therapy with enalapril and folic acid is more effec...
**Jiang et al., 2024** | Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr | Meta Analysis Jiang Zhonghui, Qu Hua, ... Gao Zhuye. Beneficial effects of folic acid on inflammatory markers in the patients with metabolic syndrome: Meta-analysis and meta-regression of data from 51...
**Lewis et al., 2023** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Systematic Review Lewis Sharon R, Pritchard Michael W, ... Griffin Xavier L. Interventions for reducing red blood cell transfusion in adults undergoing hip fracture surgery: an overview of systema...
BACKGROUND: Intake of supplements containing iron or a combination of iron and folic acid by pregnant women may improve maternal health and pregnancy outcomes. Recently, intermittent supplementation regimens have been proposed as alternatives to dail...
**Cacione et al., 2016** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Cacione Daniel G, Baptista-Silva Jose C C, Macedo Cristiane R. Pharmacological treatment for Buerger's disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016-Feb-01;2:CD011033. doi:10.1002/1465...
**Nigwekar et al., 2016** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Nigwekar Sagar U, Kang Amy, ... Jardine Meg J. Interventions for lowering plasma homocysteine levels in dialysis patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016-May-31;2016(5):CD004683...
IMPORTANCE: Neural tube defects are among the most common major congenital anomalies in the United States and may lead to a range of disabilities or death. Daily folic acid supplementation in the periconceptional period can prevent neural tube defect...
**Qi et al., 2024** | BMJ Open | Systematic Review Qi Shangwen, Luo Xu, ... Jin Hua. Effect of vitamin B2, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E and folic acid in adults with essential hypertension: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMJ Open. ...
OBJECTIVE: With the increasing number of patients with cognitive impairment, nonpharmacological ways to delay cognitive impairment have attracted people's attention, such as lifestyle changes and nutritional supplementation. Folic acid supplementatio...
**Cacione et al., 2016** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Cacione Daniel G, Macedo Cristiane R, Baptista-Silva Jose C C. Pharmacological treatment for Buerger's disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016-Mar-11;3(3):CD011033. doi:10.1002/1...
**Cacione et al., 2020** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Cacione Daniel G, Macedo Cristiane R, ... Baptista-Silva Jose Cc. Pharmacological treatment for Buerger's disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020-May-04;5(5):CD011033. doi:10.100...
**Long et al., 2024** | Medicine (Baltimore) | Meta Analysis Long Jiaye, Wang Du, ... Cui Kai. Folate intake and the risk of endometrial cancer: A dose-response meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024-Sep-20;103(38):e39775. doi:10.1097/MD.000000000...
**Guo et al., 2026** | Ann Med | Meta Analysis Guo Liping, Shi Xiangfen, ... Yuan Dongdong. Combined B-vitamin supplementation on homocysteine and vascular outcomes in coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis. Ann Med. 2026-Dec;58(1):2622208. doi:10.1...
**Lopez-Olivo et al., 2014** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Lopez-Olivo Maria Angeles, Siddhanamatha Harish R, ... Suarez-Almazor Maria E. Methotrexate for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014-Jun-10;2014(6):C...
**Raval et al., 2015** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Raval Amit D, Thakker Divyesh, ... Walia Rama. Vitamin B and its derivatives for diabetic kidney disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015-Jan-12;1(1):CD009403. doi:10.1002/14651858....
**Wang et al., 2015** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Wang Yongjun, MacDonald John K, ... El-Matary Wael. Methotrexate for maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015-Aug-11;2015(8):CD007560. doi:10.1...
BACKGROUND: It has been reported that neural tube defects (NTD) can be prevented with periconceptional folic acid supplementation. The effects of different doses, forms and schemes of folate supplementation for the prevention of other birth defects a...
**Wang et al., 2019** | Medicine (Baltimore) | Meta Analysis Wang Yuan, Jin Yang, ... Yu Dan. The effect of folic acid in patients with cardiovascular disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019-Sep;98(37):e17095. doi:1...
**Shea et al., 2013** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Systematic Review Shea Beverley, Swinden Michael V, ... Tugwell Peter. Folic acid and folinic acid for reducing side effects in patients receiving methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Da...
BACKGROUND: For hypertensive patients without a history of stroke or myocardial infarction (MI), the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT) demonstrated that treatment with enalapril-folic acid reduced the risk of primary stroke compared with ...
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with life-threatening conditions. Several studies have reported an association of vitamin B12, folic acid, or homocysteine (Hcy) levels with MetS. This systematic review and meta-analysis ass...
**Alves et al., 2025** | Nutrients | Systematic Review Alves Maues Ana Carolina, Moren Abat Mònica Gemma, ... Mariscal Gonzalo. Folate Supplementation for Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2025-Oct-20;17(20). doi:10.3390/nu172032...
Hyperhomocysteinemia has been associated with cognitive disorders such as mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Previous studies showed that levodopa-treated Parkinson's disease (PD) patients were likely to have elevat...
**Bae et al., 2021** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Systematic Review Bae Sajin, Kamynina Elena, ... Stover Patrick J. Provision of folic acid for reducing arsenic toxicity in arsenic-exposed children and adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021-Oct-...
OBJECT: The aim was to assess the effect of folic acid supplementation on cognitive function and inflammatory cytokines in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment. METHODS: From its inception until February 2024, four databases including Web ...
Background/Objectives: Folic acid (FA) supplementation can effectively reduce the occurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs). Vitamin B12 is involved in folate metabolism; however, studies have not reached a definitive conclusion on the association bet...
In this report, benefits (preventing neural tube defects and folate deficiency), risks (masking vitamin B(12) deficiency), and uncertain effects (risk of colon cancer) of folic acid supplementation and fortification have been weighted. On the basis o...
BACKGROUND: Depressive symptoms are a major cause of disability in bipolar disorder and there are few safe and effective treatments. The combination of lamotrigine plus quetiapine potentially offers improved outcomes for people with bipolar depressio...
**Smelt et al., 2018** | Eur J Clin Nutr | Meta Analysis Smelt Antonia Fh, Gussekloo Jacobijn, ... Den Elzen Wendy Pj. The effect of vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation on routine haematological parameters in older people: an individual partic...
**Centeno et al., 2019** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Systematic Review Centeno Tablante Elizabeth, Pachón Helena, ... Finkelstein Julia L. Fortification of wheat and maize flour with folic acid for population health outcomes. Cochrane Database Sys...
**Grarup et al., 2013** | PLoS Genet | Meta Analysis Grarup Niels, Sulem Patrick, ... Pedersen Oluf. Genetic architecture of vitamin B12 and folate levels uncovered applying deeply sequenced large datasets. PLoS Genet. 2013-Jun;9(6):e1003530. doi:10....
**Andras et al., 2013** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Systematic Review Andras Alina, Stansby Gerard, Hansrani Monica. Homocysteine lowering interventions for peripheral arterial disease and bypass grafts. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013-Jul-19;201...
**Patel et al., 2014** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Systematic Review Patel Vishal, Wang Yongjun, ... Chande Nilesh. Methotrexate for maintenance of remission in Crohn's disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014-Aug-26;2014(8):CD006884. doi:10.1002...
**Joubert et al., 2016** | Nat Commun | Meta Analysis Joubert Bonnie R, den Dekker Herman T, ... London Stephanie J. Maternal plasma folate impacts differential DNA methylation in an epigenome-wide meta-analysis of newborns. Nat Commun. 2016-Feb-10;7...
GOALS: To evaluate the role of folic acid supplementation in colorectal cancer (CRC) chemoprevention in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). BACKGROUND: CRC is a serious complication of IBD. Folic acid supplementation has been shown to be ...
**Blencowe et al., 2018** | Ann N Y Acad Sci | Meta Analysis Blencowe Hannah, Kancherla Vijaya, ... Modell Bernadette. Estimates of global and regional prevalence of neural tube defects for 2015: a systematic analysis. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2018-Feb;1414...
Showing top 50 of 363 sources, sorted by quality score.
Details
Folate
Overview
Folate is a essential nutrient tracked in the biomedical knowledge base.
Also known as: folic acid, vitamin b9, methylfolate, 5-mthf, folinic acid
Role in Health
Detailed overview pending — this entity has sources compiled across multiple verticals.
Related Verticals
See sources-index for all verified sources referencing Folate.
Safety Considerations
Safety data extraction pending.
Sources
See linked source pages for full provenance.
Related Supplements
Frequently Asked Questions
What is folate and what are its main benefits?
Folate is a critical B vitamin essential for various bodily functions. There is strong evidence for its benefits in pregnancy and moderate evidence regarding its impact on cardiovascular and cognitive health.
Does folate help with pregnancy and maternal health?
Yes, there is strong evidence that folic acid supplementation is associated with improved maternal and neonatal outcomes. It is also linked to a reduced risk of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.
Can folate help with heart health and blood pressure?
There is moderate evidence suggesting folate may benefit blood pressure and lipid markers. However, research regarding its effectiveness for preventing strokes and coronary heart disease remains inconsistent.
Is folate good for brain function and memory?
There is moderate evidence that B vitamin interventions, including folate, may impact cognitive function in older adults. The effectiveness of these benefits may be influenced by mandatory food fortification policies.
What is the recommended daily dose of folate?
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for adults is 400 mcg DFE per day. You should consult a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dose for your specific needs.
Are there any side effects or drug interactions with folate?
No specific side effects, contraindications, or drug interactions were documented in the reviewed research. There are currently no known risks or specific populations that must avoid it mentioned in the provided data.
Does folate help prevent cancer?
There is currently insufficient evidence to determine if folate intake affects the risk of pancreatic cancer. More research is needed to establish a clear association.
Answers generated from research evidence. Not medical advice.