Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, essential for DNA synthesis and cell division.
Acide folique is the synthetic form of folate (vitamin B9), a water-soluble vitamin essential for one-carbon metabolism, DNA synthesis, and cell division. It is the form used in supplements and food fortification.
Acide folique (folic acid) is converted in the body into tetrahydrofolate (THF), the active coenzyme form of folate that participates in one-carbon metabolism. This metabolic pathway is essential for the synthesis of nucleotides (purine and pyrimidine bases), the building blocks of DNA and RNA, making it critical for cell division and tissue growth. One-carbon metabolism also involves the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine, an amino acid important for protein synthesis and numerous methylation reactions throughout the body. Folic acid is particularly important during periods of rapid cell division, such as pregnancy, lactation, and childhood, and deficiency during pregnancy increases the risk of neural tube defects. The body stores folate primarily in the liver, but storage capacity is limited. Synthetic folic acid is more stable and bioavailable than naturally occurring folate, making it effective in supplements and fortified foods.
Essential coenzyme for one-carbon metabolism, DNA synthesis, and cell division.
Daily requirements are 400 μg DFE for adults; women of childbearing age should ensure adequate intake, as folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy prevents neural tube defects. Include both fortified foods and natural folate sources.
Folic acid is vital for DNA synthesis and cell division, with critical importance during pregnancy.
A question about Acide Folique? Ask our nutrition AI.
Ask a question