Vitamins & minerals · INGREDIENT PROFILE
Folate
Research topics: Nutrient status · Homocysteine
Also searched as: folate, folic acid, 5-MTHF, methylfolate. Names and formulations are not necessarily interchangeable.
01 / MATCH THE FORMULA
The details to pin down.
Ingredient identity & form
Distinguish folic acid and methylfolate; document the reported amount and dietary folate equivalents where applicable.
Dose, duration & study fit
Chemical form, units, dose, baseline folate/B12 status, and duration.
Record the tested dose from the original study. A study dose is not a recommended dose or proof that every claim at that dose is supported.
02 / READ IN CONTEXT
What changes the interpretation?
Keep biomarker changes separate from clinical outcomes. Check population and co-administered B vitamins.
- Population: Does the study population match your intended audience?
- Comparison: What changed compared with the control group—not just compared with baseline?
- Consistency: Do independent studies agree? Include null findings, limitations, and adverse events.
- Claim wording: Does the measured outcome support the strength and scope of the proposed claim?
03 / FOLLOW THE SOURCES
Research to explore.
A selected index of randomized trials and research reviews. Open the source to verify methods, results, corrections, and applicability.
2025 · Meta-Analysis · Systematic Review
The effectiveness and safety of the active form of folate on biochemical parameters in women of childbearing age: A systematic review and meta-analysis. ↗
PMID 41398893 · DOI 10.1097/md.0000000000046564 · PMC record available
2026 · Meta-Analysis · Systematic Review
Folic acid supplementation and malaria susceptibility and severity among people taking antifolate antimalarial drugs in endemic areas. ↗
PMID 41705996 · DOI 10.1002/14651858.cd014217.pub2
2026 · Systematic Review · review-article
Efficacy and safety of folic acid on homocysteine and cardiovascular surrogate biomarkers in hyperhomocysteinemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs. ↗
PMID 42231372 · DOI 10.1186/s40795-026-01343-y · PMC record available
2026 · Systematic Review · systematic-review
Maternal vitamin B12, vitamin D, and folic acid status during pregnancy and child neurodevelopment: a systematic review. ↗
PMID 42359342 · DOI 10.3389/fnins.2026.1825297 · PMC record available
How these references were selected
First four Europe PMC relevance-ranked MED records matching the recorded ingredient/outcome query and randomized-trial, systematic-review or meta-analysis publication types. No favorable-result filter. Bibliographic discovery only; not a full-text review or exhaustive bibliography.
Captured 2026-10-08: 4 records shown from 1,565 matching index records. Index counts describe this query, not supporting studies or evidence quality.
(TITLE_ABS:"folate" OR TITLE_ABS:"folic acid" OR TITLE_ABS:"methylfolate") AND (TITLE_ABS:"supplementation") AND SRC:MED AND (PUB_TYPE:"Randomized Controlled Trial" OR PUB_TYPE:"Systematic Review" OR PUB_TYPE:"Meta-Analysis")Run the recorded index search ↗04 / GO DEEPER
Guidance & source databases.
NIH ODS: Folate↗Database links open a fresh search. Registry entries can identify ongoing or unpublished trials; registration alone is not evidence of benefit.
Educational research navigation. Not individual medical advice, a safety clearance, regulatory approval, or a complete review of this ingredient. Bibliographic snapshot: 2026-10-08.