Folic Acid is the synthesised (lab-made) version of Folate, which is a type of B Vitamin. Folate is naturally occurring in many plants and food types, however not in high concentrations.

Folate is important to humans as it as compound used in the creation of new cells and in reproduction (1, 2). It is important for the synthesis of DNA and to repair DNA damage, and during Meiosis and Mitosis it is required for the cells to divide (3). It is also important for producing healthy red blood cells, and limiting homocysteine in the blood- high levels linked to disease (4,5).

Many diseases can be linked to folate dependent enzymes (enzymes which need folate to work), eg. some cancers, vascular (heart) diseases, birth defects and pregnancy complications.

An enzyme catalyses a reaction, which means these reactions won't happen as much if there is not enough Folate. These reactions are for many processes in the body. One of these is making the nucleotides (A,T,G,C) needed to make DNA, which can lead to issues with DNA replication, leading to mutations or weak, breakable DNA (6). Another is for a process called methylation, which is where methyl is added to the DNA to control when to turn genes on and off (gene expression) (7). If there is low levels of folate, this process may not work correctly and abnormal cell growth (like cancer) may occur. Folate is also in a reaction to change homocysteine into methionine, reducing homocysteine in the blood, lowering vascular disease risk (7).

Having enough folate is important for pregnant women, as the folate is passes on to the foetus, where it supports the cell development for the spine, brain and central nervous system, and can be linked to preventing many other developmental deformities (9).