Folate Acids - Action, Sources in Food, Consequences of Deficiency, Supplementation
Tomasz Jankowski
2026-03-20
6 min. read
1 / 1
1 zdjęcie
98
Folate acids are a group of chemical compounds with similar nutritional properties that occur naturally and are a source of vitamin B9, which is necessary for the proper functioning of the body. Folic and folate acids exhibit the same biological activity, but folate naturally present in food products are less stable than pure folic acid, which is synthetically produced. When does the body need the most vitamin B9? How do folate acids affect the body? Is supplementation necessary for everyone? Where can folate acids be found in the diet?
Operation of folates - explanation
Folates are a form of folic acid that naturally occurs in food, primarily in plants. They are absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, specifically in the duodenum and small intestine, where their primary storage site is the liver. In the body, the active form of folic acid, tetrahydrofolate, is a biologically active compound that has a significant impact on cell metabolism. A deficiency in tetrahydrofolate can lead to disruptions in many essential biological processes, such as the synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins, the metabolism of amino acids, hydroxylation of long-chain fatty acids, regulation of homocysteine levels in the blood, formation of the myelin sheath on nerve fibers, function of the hematopoietic and cardiovascular systems, regulation of the formation and maturation of red blood cells, and growth and development processes of all body cells. Furthermore, folates play a significant role in preventing neural tube defects in the fetus and reducing the risk of certain types of cancer, and they are essential for tissues where intensive cell division occurs.
You have started reading a PRO article
You can preview the first chapter. To read the complete article and unlock all content, upgrade to a PRO account.
