Finding out you’re pregnant is one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life! It also comes with many decisions to make. Choosing a prenatal vitamin is one of them. While it may seem like a basic task, there are various options to consider. From chewable to pills to liquid vitamins, the list goes on and on. Many women also have the dilemma of whether they want folic acid or folate in prenatal vitamins. Read on to learn which option might suit you best.
Folic Acid vs. Folate in Prenatal Vitamins
The debate over folic acid vs. folate in prenatal vitamins has become heated over the past few years. More pregnant mommas are learning about the difference between the two and wondering if they should take one over the other. The problem is many prenatal vitamins contain folic acid, and finding ones with folate may be more challenging and expensive. But what’s the big deal? Is it really essential to choose folate in prenatal vitamins over folic acid?
Let’s look at what folic acid is, compare that to folate, and discuss why there’s such a huge debate.
The Difference Between Folic Acid and Folate in Prenatal Vitamins
Folic acid is a water-soluble B vitamin. This supplement is recommended before and during pregnancy to help prevent neural tube defects. Folic acid is the synthetic form of this particular B vitamin commonly added to foods like cereal, flour, and bread.4
Folate, on the other hand, is the natural form of the vitamin (vitamin B9). It occurs in foods like dark leafy greens, beans, mushrooms, and meat.4
What’s the Big Deal With Folate in Prenatal Vitamins?
If both folic acid and folate help prevent neural tube defects, why is there a debate between the two?
One of the most significant potential issues with folic acid is that some women cannot metabolize it well. This often occurs with an MTHFR gene mutation where women need L-methylfolate instead of folic acid. When taking folic acid, the body has to undergo two conversions for the body to use it. After the first conversion takes place (DHF to THF), the THF can be converted into L-methylfolate, which the body can then use.1
The tricky thing is nearly 60% of Americans have issues converting folic acid into the usable form of L-methylfolate. This can cause problems for pregnant women, as they may not get as much folate as the body needs.1
Which Should You Supplement With?
So, should you opt for a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid or folate? Some new research states that due to the high prevalence of the MTHFR gene mutation, it may be best to supplement with L-methylfolate instead of folic acid to prevent any issue relating to the breakdown of folic acid in the body.5 However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommends supplementing with 400 micrograms of folic acid daily.2,3
The answer ultimately lies within your genetic makeup. If you know you have the MTHFR gene mutation, you might be better off supplementing with folate. However, what if you don’t know if you have this mutation? Because a majority of the population may have difficulty converting folic acid into folate, you might choose a prenatal with naturally occurring folate to be on the safe side.
The great news is more and more prenatal vitamin companies are starting to offer naturally occurring folate in their products. This means you should be able to find the supplement that works best for you.
Here are a few great options with the recommended daily dosage of folate:
Garden of Life | New Chapter | Smarty Pants | Thorne
If you have questions or concerns about what vitamin to take throughout your pregnancy, speak with your OB/GYN or midwife. They can help you determine what supplement will work best for you.
This article contains affiliate links. These opinions are our own. However, if you buy something, we may earn a small commission, which helps us keep our content free to our readers. Check out our Chick Picks Shop to see more of our recommended products. It’s our carefully curated shop of products we love and recommend! ❤️
