01. Folate or folic acid is a type of vitamin B, also referred to as vitamin M, vitamin B9, Vitamin Bc, pteroyl-L-glutamate as well as pteroyl-L-glutamic acid.
2. In pure chemistry, the term folate is used as a reference to the ion whereas folic acid is used to refer to the protonated ion. Both of these co-exist in water.
3. In the food supplement industry, the word folate is particularly used to refer to the naturally occurring form of folic acid; folic acid is made synthetically.
4. Folate-a general term for a group of b vitamins that are water soluble; Folic acid, however, is used to refer particularly to the oxidized synthetic compound.
5. Natural folates are metabolized to THF in the mucosa which is in the small intestine; folic acid initially undergoes reduction and consequently methylation in the liver.
6. Folic acid is made to be better absorbed by the body than its natural counterpart, folate and is therefore needed in a lower quantity.
