Folate vs. Folic Acid

Nutrient-Rich Legumes Abundant in Folate.

To keep it simple, folate and folic acid are the same but derived from different places. They both live under the “B-Vitamin Umbrella.” - specifically B9. What is the difference between the two? Folate is consumed through food, and folic acid is synthesized and put into products, such as supplements. 

Folate and folic acid must be converted once inside the body to absorb them readily. The most efficient way for women to receive the nutrients is by converting folate into its active form, which the body recognizes best. 5-MTHF, also known as methylfolate

Folate to methylfolate to valuable biological chemistry. This sounds like a textbook page from your science book but stick with us. You can find folate in green leafy vegetables, peanuts, and whole grains. We promote you getting all of this yumminess. To ensure your body is getting beyond the bare minimum - methylfolate is our preferred option in our THRIVE and NOURISH formulas.

Evidence-based relief and benefits from this super vitamin:

  • Supports an uplift in mood, pushing anxiety and depressive thoughts to the back burner
  • May help cognitive function during stressful times
  • Folate may help to bear the weight of a heavy heart - promoting healthy blood cells and overall cardiovascular health

Folate is water-soluble, which means what you don’t need is excreted. However, we don’t put vitamins in our products so that you can pee them out! We load our supplements with 5-MTHF because the evidence shows that it benefits women’s health. We edge out the B vitamins you likely get plenty of to make room for this one because it’s so important. To understand folate, methylfolate, and folic acid a little deeper, visit our database link below. 

hey freya’s women-focused 5-MTHF research database

Back to blog

Our products made for you