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The Best Folic Acid Supplements for Pregnancy, Hair Loss and Overall Health, According to a Dietitian

The vitamin folate is required for a number of critical processes in the body. Read on to learn more about folate and our top picks for the best folate supplements of 2024.
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Folate is a naturally occurring B vitamin found in a number of foods, such as green leafy vegetables, organ meats, beans and fruits. “Folate” is commonly used as a generic term to describe all forms of folate, including naturally-occurring food folates and folic acid, which is a synthetic version of folate and can be found in supplements and fortified foods. Folate is involved in a number of critical processes, including cellular division, DNA synthesis and the maturation of red blood cells. Folate can’t be made by the body, so it must be obtained through dietary intake.

During processing, flour and bread are enhanced with folic acid to enhance their nutritional value. In addition to being found in foods, both folic acid and folate can be taken in supplement form. Even though most people can meet their folate needs through a well-rounded diet, some people have increased folate needs and require a supplement to maintain healthy levels of this nutrient.

This article lists six of the best folate and folic acid supplements on the market in 2024 and covers the potential benefits, side effects and safety of supplemental folate and folic acid products.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

Our Picks for the Best Folic Acid Supplement:

Best Folate Supplement for Pregnancy: FullWell Prenatal Multivitamin

FullWell Prenatal Multivitamin

Key features & specs

  • Type of folate: 5-MTHF
  • Best for: Pregnant people, breastfeeding women, postpartum
  • Key ingredients: 5-MTHF, choline, B12, B6, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, selenium, and other nutrients essential for supporting a healthy pregnancy.
  • Folate per serving: 1,360 mcg DFE
  • Certifications: Third-party tested, non-GMO
  • Subscription: Monthly: 10% savings; three months: 15% savings
  • Price per serving: $1.49

FullWell was created by Registered Dietitian and women’s health expert Ayla Barmmer, so you can trust that it contains the vitamins and minerals you need to thrive while pregnant. This supplement was designed to support health throughout pregnancy as well as throughout the postpartum recovery period.

FulWell Women’s Prenatal Multivitamin covers your daily needs for folate during pregnancy and provides folate in the active form of 5-MTHF. It also provides choline, vitamin D, vitamin A and a number of other nutrients needed to support your health during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This supplement doesn’t contain the essential fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), but FullWell offers a separate Fish Oil supplement on its website.

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FulWell Women’s Prenatal Multivitamin is third-party tested by independent laboratories for contaminants such as heavy metals and bisphenol-A (BPA)—a chemical compound that can harm health in several ways, even at low doses.

It’s also free from gluten, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, soy, corn and fish.

FullWell receives glowing reviews from healthcare providers and customers alike. However, some customers report that the eight-capsule dose is hard to tolerate. FullWell recommends splitting the dose and taking four capsules twice per day.

Pros:

  • Well-rounded
  • Third-party tested
  • High in vitamin D and choline
  • Uses active B vitamins, including 5-MTHF

Cons:

  • Dosage of eight pills might be difficult for some people to tolerate
  • Expensive
  • Only available online

Best All-in-One Folate Supplement: Ritual Essential for Women

Get 25% off your first month of Ritual! Code: SI25

Ritual-Essential-for-Women-Multivitamin-18-plus

Key features & specs

  • Type of folate: 5-MTHF
  • Best for: People looking for a multivitamin that contains folate, people who prefer subscription services, those who follow vegan diets
  • Key ingredients: Folate, DHA, B12, vitamin D, iron, vitamin K2, boron, vitamin E, and magnesium
  • Folate per serving: 1,000 mcg DFE
  • Certifications: USP-Verified, non-GMO
  • Subscription: Monthly
  • Price per serving: $1.10

Ritual is a subscription supplement company that offers a variety of nutrition products, including multivitamins. Essential for Women Multivitamin is designed for women aged 18 to 49 and provides nutrients commonly lacking in women’s diets such as folate, iron and vitamin D. A two-capsule dose provides 1,000 mcg DFE in the active form of 5-MTHF.

It also includes the essential omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is important for brain and immune health and helps promote healthy aging. However, it’s low in the mineral magnesium and is missing several nutrients that are critical for women’s health, such as iodine and zinc.

The capsules are made with a mint essence, which makes them easier to tolerate for those who get nauseated when taking supplements. You can take the recommended two-capsule dose at any time of day, such as in the morning or before bed.

Ritual uses a third-party lab to test its products for contaminants like allergens, heavy metals and microbes. Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin is free from major allergens, gluten, GMOs and artificial colors, and is vegan-friendly.

Ritual has a dedicated customer following and reviews of its products, including Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin, are mostly positive. Customers seem to like the mint essence of the capsules and report that the multivitamin is easy to take, affordable and high-quality.

Pros:

  • Subscription service may be convenient for some women
  • Contains DHA
  • Easy to tolerate
  • Third-party tested
  • USP-Verified

Cons:

  • Lacking essential nutrients like B6 and iodine, and low in magnesium
  • Subscription only

Best Budget Folic Acid Supplement: NatureMade Folic Acid 400 mcg

NatureMade Folic Acid Supplement

Key features & specs

  • Type of folate: Folic acid
  • Best for: People on a budget, those looking for a folic acid-only supplement
  • Key ingredients: Folic acid and calcium
  • Folic acid per serving: 400 mcg
  • Certifications: USP-verified
  • Subscription: No
  • Price per serving: $.03

NatureMade is the number one pharmacist-recommended supplement brand, and for good reason—it offers high-quality, affordable products and takes supplement safety seriously.

Most NatureMade products, including its 400 mcg folic acid supplement, are verified by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), a non-profit organization that sets strict, product-specific standards for the quality, purity and identity of dietary supplements. This product is also free from gluten as well as artificial colors and flavors.

NatureMade Folic Acid 400 mcg is a high-quality folic acid product that won’t break the bank. It costs just $6.99 for 250 capsules, making it a smart choice for those on a budget.

This product provides 400 mcg of folic acid, which is a safe amount for most people to take.

Customers report that this product is affordable, high quality and easy to take due to the small tablet size.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • USP-verified
  • Contains an appropriate dose of folic acid

Cons:

  • Contains folic acid, which can build up in the body over time if too much is taken

Best Folate Supplement with B12: Pure Encapsulations B12 Folate

Pure Encapsulations B12 Folate

Key features & specs

  • Type of folate: Metafolin® (L-5-MTHF)
  • Best for: People who need folate and B12
  • Key ingredients: B12 and Metafolin®
  • Folate per serving: 1,333 mcg DFE
  • Certifications: USP-Verified, certified gluten-free, non-GMO
  • Subscription: N/A
  • Price per serving: $.33

B12 plays critical roles in health and is necessary for neurological function, metabolism, red blood cell production and DNA synthesis. Unfortunately, some people, including older adults, those with medical conditions like Celiac disease and Crohn’s disease, people who follow vegan diets and people who take certain medications, are at an increased risk of developing low B12 levels and require B12 supplements to maintain adequate levels of this nutrient.

B12 and folate can be found in multivitamin supplements and B-complex vitamins, but some people prefer products that contain just B12 and folate. These two nutrients work together in the body to perform vital processes such as the production of new proteins and red blood cells.

One capsule of Pure Encapsulations B12 Folate provides 800 mcg of vitamin B12 in the active form of methylcobalamin, and 1,333 DFE of Metafolin, a calcium salt of L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate. Studies show that Metafolin is highly bioavailable to the body and may be an effective supplement for those with low folate levels.

Pure Encapsulations exceeds standards set by the USP and all of its raw materials and finished products are tested for purity and potency by third-party laboratories including Eurofins, Silliker and Intertek. This product is also gluten-free and free from artificial colors, GMOs, wheat, soy, dairy, tree nuts and peanuts.

This product has mostly positive reviews, with a rating of 4.7 stars out of 5 on Amazon and over 1,800 reviews. Customers report that taking Pure Encapsulations B12 Folate helped improve their energy and increase their B12 levels.

Pros:

  • USP-Verified
  • Third-party tested
  • Contains B12 and folate in bioavailable forms

Cons:

  • A bit pricey
  • Hard to find in stores

Best Organic Folic Acid Supplement: Bronson Organic Folic Acid

Bronson Organic Folic Acid

Key features & specs

  • Type of folate: Folic acid
  • Best for: People who require high-dose folic acid
  • Key ingredients: Folic acid
  • Folic acid per serving: 800 mcg
  • Certifications: Certified organic, Non-GMO
  • Subscription: NA
  • Price per serving: $.08

In some cases, people require high doses of folic acid. For example, it’s recommended that all people who are planning to become pregnant or who are capable of becoming pregnant supplement daily with between 400 and 800 mcg of folic acid starting at least one month before becoming pregnant and continuing through the first two to three months of pregnancy.

High-dose folic acid may also be recommended to women undergoing fertility treatment and those who are low or deficient in folate.

Bronson Organic Folic Acid provides 800 mcg of folic acid per tablet, making it a good choice for people who require a high-dose supplement. This supplement is certified organic and is made with folic acid derived from lemons grown on an organic farm. Therefore, it makes a good choice for those who follow organic diets or prefer organic dietary supplements.

Bronson Organic Folic Acid has mostly positive reviews from customers who seem to appreciate the quality and affordable price of the product.

Keep in mind that studies have shown that doses of folic acid over 400 mcg per day are associated with high levels of unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) in the blood. Having high levels of UMFA has been associated with negative health outcomes that will be discussed later in this article.

Unless high-dose folic acid is specifically recommended by a healthcare provider, it’s not a good idea to take folic acid in doses greater than 400 mcg per day.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Certified organic

Cons:

  • High dose of folic acid may not be appropriate for everyone
  • Not third-party tested

Best Folate Supplement for Overall Health: Seeking Health Optimal Multivitamin

Seeking Health Multivitamin

Key features & specs

  • Type of folate: 5-MTHF
  • Best for: People who want a comprehensive multivitamin that includes folate
  • Key ingredients: B vitamins, choline, calcium, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, potassium, and vitamins A, C, D3 and E, as well as other beneficial ingredients including antioxidants like carotenoids
  • Folate per serving: 667 mcg DFE
  • Certifications: cGMP
  • Subscription: Monthly 7% savings
  • Price per serving: $1.99

Seeking Health Optimal Multivitamin is a comprehensive multivitamin supplement that provides 50 ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidant compounds, an organic fruit and vegetable powder blend and more. An eight-capsule dose provides 667 mcg of folate as 5-MTHF and covers 100 percent of your daily needs for 17 nutrients, including vitamin A, B12, vitamin C and zinc.

This product is an excellent choice for people who are looking for a well-rounded multivitamin that provides high doses of essential vitamins and minerals, like folate.

Because it contains methylated forms of folate and B12, it’s appropriate for people with genetic mutations such as MTHFR, which interfere with the body’s ability to convert these nutrients into active or usable forms.

Seeking Health Optimal Multivitamin is third-party tested for heavy metals and microbial contaminants as well as product potency. This supplement is free from gluten as well as artificial flavors, colors and preservatives.

Customers report that Seeking Health Optimal Multivitamin is a high-quality product and some customer reviews mention that taking it helped improve the health of their hair, nails and skin.

Pros:

  • Comprehensive
  • Third-party tested
  • Uses bioavailable forms of nutrients, including 5-MTHF

Cons:

  • Expensive compared to other multivitamins
  • Eight-capsule dose may difficult for some people to tolerate

What Is Folic Acid?

Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, a water-soluble B vitamin that’s essential to health. “Folate” is often used as an umbrella term to describe naturally-occurring folate found in foods like beans and vegetables and folic acid, a synthetic form of folate that’s added to fortified foods and used in dietary supplements.

Your body requires folate for the synthesis, repair and methylation—the addition of a methyl group—of DNA, cellular division and the maturation of red blood cells. It’s also needed for the production of the amino acid methionine from the amino acid homocysteine. Methionine is an amino acid that’s used for protein synthesis or converted into S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), a chemical that acts as a primary methyl donor in the body and is necessary for numerous cellular reactions.

Your body contains between 10 and 30 mg of folate, most of which is stored in the liver and the remaining amounts in blood and tissues. Normal blood levels of folate lie between 2.7 and 17.0 ng/ml. The main form of folate in the blood is called 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, which is the “active” form of folate.

Even though folate and folic acid are often used interchangeably, there are significant differences between naturally-occurring folate and synthetic folic acid, including their absorbability. DFEs, or dietary folate equivalents, is a unit of measure that accounts for the differences in absorbability between folic acid and folate. Synthetic folic acid has 100 percent absorbability when consumed on an empty stomach, while folic acid found in fortified foods is thought to have only 85 percent absorbability. Naturally occurring food folate has a much lower absorbability of around 50 percent.

When taken in supplement form, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate has the same if not slightly higher bioavailability than folic acid supplements.

Because of this variability in absorption, DFEs were developed according to the following equation:

  • 1 mcg of DFEs = 1 mcg of naturally occurring food folate = 0.5 mcg folic acid taken in the form of supplements on an empty stomach = 0.6 mcg folic acid ingested with foods.

This is why folate and folic acid supplement labels list the amount in mcg DFE.

Because folate is water-soluble and not stored in large amounts in the body, you need to take in a consistent amount of folate on a daily basis in order to replenish losses. Adults need to take in about 400 mcg DFE of folate per day, while pregnant and breastfeeding women require 600 mcg and 500 mcg DFE of folate per day, respectively.

Who Should Take a Folic Acid Supplement

Even though folate is naturally found in many foods and folic acid is added to fortified products like flour and breakfast cereals, some people need to supplement with folate in order to meet their daily needs.

Folate and folic acid supplements have also been shown to benefit health in several ways.

Pregnant and breastfeeding people and women who are trying to conceive

Folate is essential for fetal growth and development, which is why folate and folic acid supplements are recommended to pregnant people, breastfeeding people and women who are trying to conceive. It’s critical that women take in adequate amounts of folate before and during pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding in order to prevent neural tube defects or malformations of the spine and brain.

Because maternal folate status is a predictor of neural tube defect risk, it’s recommended that all women who are planning to become pregnant or who are capable of becoming pregnant supplement daily with between 400 and 800 mcg of folic acid starting at least one month before becoming pregnant and continuing through the first two to three months of pregnancy. Taking a folate or folic acid supplement can also help prevent pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by high blood pressure.

People with low or deficient folate levels

Folate deficiency has several causes, including inadequate dietary intake, surgery, pregnancy, alcoholism, genetic polymorphisms and malabsorptive diseases like celiac disease.

Folate deficiency can result in serious side effects, including megaloblastic anemia, birth defects, cognitive impairment, impaired immune function and depression.

Both folic acid and folate supplements are used to treat and prevent folate deficiency.

People at risk of certain heart diseases

Folate is necessary for the metabolism of an amino acid called homocysteine. Along with other nutrients like B12, folate helps break down homocysteine in order to create other substances your body needs, like the amino acid methionine. When folate levels are low, homocysteine levels rise. Hyperhomocysteinemia is a term used to describe abnormally high levels of homocysteine.

Having high homocysteine levels can cause damage to your arteries and increase your risk of developing heart disease. Studies show that taking folic acid supplements can reduce the risk of heart disease and other conditions such as high blood pressure and stroke.

A 2016 review of 30 studies involving 82,334 people found that folic acid supplementation led to a 10 percent reduction in stroke risk and a four percent reduction in overall heart disease risk.

People looking to improve cognitive function and other mental health conditions

Research findings suggest that folic acid supplements may benefit those with cognitive decline and health conditions such as depression and schizophrenia.

Low folate levels are linked with poor cognitive function and an increased risk of cognitive decline. A 2019 study in 180 adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) demonstrated that supplementation with 400 mcg of folic acid per day for two years led to significant improvements in measures of cognitive function as well as reductions in blood levels of specific proteins involved in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease compared to a control group.

Folic acid supplements may also be helpful for people with mental health disorders like depression. A 2022 review of 23 studies found that folic acid supplements improved clinical outcomes in people with major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder and bipolar affective disorder.

Other Potential Benefits of Folic Acid

In addition to the potential benefits listed above, taking a folate or folic acid supplement may improve health in the following ways:

How To Know If You’re Deficient in Folic Acid

Folate is involved in a number of critical processes in the body and a deficiency can lead to serious health issues and symptoms. You’re considered deficient in folate when your blood levels fall below 2 ng/mL.

Some populations are more at risk for developing a folate deficiency than others, including:

  • Those who follow restrictive diets low in folate
  • Diseases or surgeries that impact folate absorption in the digestive system, including celiac disease, gastric bypass and short bowel syndrome
  • Those with low stomach acid or an absence of stomach acid
  • People who take medications that impact folate absorption, including methotrexate and sulfasalazine
  • People with alcohol use disorder
  • People with an MTHFR polymorphism, which impairs the body’s ability to convert folate to its active form 5-MTHF
  • Pregnant women
  • People with ESKD on dialysis
  • Those with hemolytic anemia, a blood condition that causes rapid destruction of red blood cells

Symptoms of folate deficiency include fatigue, irritability, weakness, difficulty concentrating, headache, heart palpitations and shortness of breath. These symptoms are a result of megaloblastic anemia, a condition where the bone marrow produces unusually large and immature red blood cells. Megaloblastic anemia is the main clinical sign of folate deficiency.

In addition to symptoms related to anemia, people with a folate deficiency may experience soreness and ulcers on their tongue and in their mouth, digestive symptoms like diarrhea, changes in the pigmentation of the skin, hair, or fingernails and elevated blood levels of homocysteine.

If your healthcare provider suspects you’re low in folate, they will give you a physical examination and order blood work to rule out a folate deficiency and other potential health issues.

The RDA for folate is 400 mcg DFE per day for adults, 600 mcg DFE for pregnant women, and 500 mcg DFE for breastfeeding women. The average person is usually able to meet their folate needs through a well-rounded diet. Still, many people, including pregnant women and those with certain medical conditions, benefit from taking a folate supplement.

Several forms of folate are used in dietary supplements, including folic acid, folinic acid and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. Folate can be found in multinutrient supplements, such as multivitamins and B-complex supplements, as well as folate-only products.

The dosing of folate in dietary supplements varies, with some containing much higher amounts than others. However, most supplements deliver between 680 to 1,360 mcg DFE (400 to 800 mcg folic acid) per serving.

The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) has established a Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for synthetic forms of folate, including the folic acid found in supplements and added to food. A UL is the maximum daily intake of a nutrient unlikely to cause harm. The current UL for synthetic forms of folate found in supplements and fortified foods is 1,000 mcg per day for adults 19 and older.

Because adverse effects have not been reported from high intake of folate from foods, there’s no UL set for naturally occurring folate.

How to Choose the Best Folic Acid for You

When shopping for a folate supplement, there are a few things to consider. Although various forms of folate, including folic acid and 5-MTHF, are effective for raising blood levels of folate, people with genetic mutations that impair the body’s ability to convert folate to its active form 5-MTHF, such as an MTHFR mutation, should choose products that contain 5-MTHF.

Additionally, if you’re taking a folic acid supplement, you’ll want to choose products that contain an appropriate amount of folic acid. This is because taking in large doses of folic acid through supplements may result in high blood levels of unmetabolized folic acid. It’s a good idea to stick to products that provide less than 400 mcg per day, unless a healthcare provider recommends a higher dose to treat a specific health condition.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, choosing a well-rounded multi-nutrient prenatal vitamin or supplement can help ensure you’re getting folate as well as other nutrients in high demand during these life stages.

In terms of supplement safety and quality, it’s best to choose products from companies that hire independent third-party laboratories to test their supplements for quality and purity. Many supplement companies are certified by third-party organizations like UL, USP and NSF International.

It’s also important to choose a form of folate that you can tolerate. People who have a hard time swallowing pills may want to choose a liquid folate supplement. Keep in mind that some supplements, like liquid and gummy vitamins, often contain added sugars, fillers and preservatives, which some people prefer to leave out of their diets.

Lastly, if you have sensitivities or allergies, you’ll want to purchase a folate supplement that’s free from potential allergens like soy, gluten, tree nuts and dairy.

Folate vs. Folic Acid

There are significant differences between folate and folic acid. Not only does folic acid differ structurally from naturally occuring folate, it’s also metabolized differently by the body.

Because folic acid is so effectively absorbed by the body, studies show that taking in large amounts of folic acid can cause high levels of unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) to accumulate in the blood. UMFA is a term used to describe folic acid found in the blood that has not been converted into active forms of folate or removed from the body through urination. Having high levels of UMFA has been associated with negative health outcomes.

Studies show that taking folic acid supplements or consuming fortified foods that provide over 400 mcg per day of folic acid can lead to high levels of UMFA in the blood.

Research has linked high-dose folic acid supplementation and high UMFA levels to health concerns, including a potential increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in babies born to mothers with high levels of UMFA, an increased risk of cognitive decline in older adults with low B12 levels, decreased immune function and an increased risk of bladder cancer recurrence.

Folate found naturally in foods and 5-MTHF found in dietary supplements do not have the same effect and will not build up in the bloodstream over time. For this reason, some health experts recommend that 5-MTHF be taken over high-dose folic acid when possible.

How We Chose the Best Folic Acid Supplement

Ingredient quality

We picked products that use bioavailable forms of nutrients and are free from unnecessary ingredients like fillers and preservatives.

Safety

We chose products from companies that adhere to strict quality and safety standards. Many of the products on this list have been third-party tested to ensure quality and safety.

Customer reviews

We chose folate supplements that had mostly positive reviews from customers.

Cost

We made sure to include folate supplements at different price points so that you can choose a high-quality product that fits your budget.

Folic Acid Supplements FAQs

Is it okay to take folic acid every day?

Yes, folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, so it’s safe to take daily. That said, consuming high levels of folic acid can cause UMFA to build up in your system over time. For this reason, it’s recommended to avoid taking high doses of folic acid over long time periods and to swap high-dose folic acid for 5-MTHF supplements when possible.

Does folic acid give you energy?

Folic acid supplements will not give you an immediate boost of energy, but, if you’re low or deficient in folate, taking a folic acid supplement can help improve symptoms related to folate deficiency, like fatigue.

What blocks folic acid absorption?

Issues with the gastrointestinal tract, such as malabsorptive conditions like celiac disease and Crohn’s disease, can impact folate absorption. Drinking alcohol and taking certain medications, such as sulfasalazine, can also reduce folate absorption.

What food is high in folic acid?

Folic acid is not naturally found in foods. Instead, it’s added to foods like flour and breakfast cereal through fortification. Foods high in folate include leafy greens, citrus fruits, beans and organ meats.

Is Taking a Folic Acid Supplement Worth It?

Most people can meet their folate needs by following a well-rounded diet high in folate-rich foods like beans, vegetables, and fruits. However, some people, such as pregnant and breastfeeding people, elderly people and those with malabsorptive conditions may need to take a folate supplement in order to reach and maintain healthy folate levels.

If you think you may be low in folate or think you may benefit from taking a folate supplement, your healthcare provider can recommend a safe and appropriate folate product, such as the supplements included in this article. 

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.

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