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Folate (folic acid)

General health information, not a diagnosis. In an emergency, call 102. Always consult a qualified health professional.

Folate (folic acid): Needed to make DNA and red blood cells; prevents neural tube birth defects. Food sources include leafy greens, beans and lentils (dal), chickpeas (chana), liver, oranges.

Common questions

What does folate do?
Needed to make DNA and red blood cells; prevents neural tube birth defects.

Which foods have folate?
Leafy greens, beans and lentils (dal), chickpeas (chana), liver, oranges.

What are the signs of low folate?
Anaemia; birth defects of the brain and spine if low in early pregnancy. Nepal gives iron and folic acid in pregnancy.

Can I take too much folate?
High supplement intake can hide B12 deficiency.

Learn more / References

SI summary (own words); NIH Office of Dietary Supplements fact sheets as reference

Emergency — call102