If you’ve read the back of a children’s multivitamin lately, you might have spotted folic acid, folate or folinic acid. They sound almost identical, so what’s the difference?
Here’s a simple guide to folate, the different forms you’ll see on labels, and how much kids need.
What is folate?
Folate (sometimes called vitamin B9) is a B vitamin that the body needs to make new cells, including healthy red blood cells. Because children are growing so quickly, they need a steady supply.
The best place to start is the plate. Folate is found naturally in dark leafy greens, lentils and chickpeas, broccoli, asparagus, avocado, oranges and eggs.
What’s the difference between folate, folic acid and folinic acid?
Folate is the umbrella term for this B vitamin, including the forms found naturally in food.
Folic acid is a form of folate made for fortified foods and many supplements. In Australia, most bread is made with flour that has folic acid added. Before the body can use folic acid, it needs to go through several conversion steps.
Folinic acid (listed on labels as calcium folinate) is a form of folate that has already been partly converted, so it doesn’t need the same steps before the body can use it.
All three are sources of folate. Which form you choose often comes down to personal preference and what you’re looking for on the label.
How much folate do kids need?
Australia’s Nutrient Reference Values recommend the following daily amounts of folate, measured in dietary folate equivalents (DFE):
|
Age |
Folate per day |
|---|---|
|
1–3 years |
150 µg DFE |
|
4–8 years |
200 µg DFE |
|
9–13 years |
300 µg DFE |
|
14–18 years |
400 µg DFE |
Dietary folate equivalents are used because the body absorbs different forms of folate differently, so this measure puts them all on the same scale.
Why do we use folinic acid in Fussy Essentials?
When we formulated Fussy Essentials, we chose folinic acid as its folate source, alongside other activated B vitamin forms like mecobalamin and pyridoxal 5-phosphate. These are forms many parents look for on the label.
Fussy Essentials is a children’s multivitamin specifically formulated for kids of today, with 20+ vitamins and minerals. The folinic acid in Fussy Essentials supports general health and wellbeing and healthy red blood cell production, and helps maintain folate levels in the body, when dietary intake is inadequate in children.
It’s a natural strawberry flavour chewable with no added sugar and no added gluten, dairy, artificial colours or soy, suitable for children 2 years and over.
Vitamins and minerals can only be of assistance if dietary intake is inadequate. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
Fussy Essentials AUST L 519433
When should I talk to a health professional?
If your child takes any medicine, has a medical condition or follows a restricted diet, check with your GP or a qualified nutritionist before starting any supplement that contains folate.
Frequently asked questions
Is folinic acid the same as folic acid?
No. They’re both forms of folate, but folic acid needs to be converted by the body before it can be used, while folinic acid has already been partly converted.
Which foods are high in folate?
Dark leafy greens like spinach, legumes like lentils and chickpeas, broccoli, asparagus, avocado, oranges and eggs are all good sources.
Do kids need a folate supplement?
Many children get enough folate from a varied diet, especially as most bread in Australia is made with flour that has folic acid added. A supplement can help when intake is limited, such as during a picky phase.
Can folate interact with medicines?
Some medicines can interact with folate. If your child takes any medicine, check with their doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement that contains folate.
Keep reading
References
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National Health and Medical Research Council. Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand: Folate. Eat For Health. https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/nutrient-reference-values/nutrients/folate
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NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Folate: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/
