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Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)

Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, an essential B vitamin, found in dietary supplements and fortified foods. Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) when used in early pregnancy, treats certain types of anemia, and reduces levels of homocysteine, the latter of which may be linked to beneficial cardiovascular effects.

Quick Answer

What it is

Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, an essential B vitamin, found in dietary supplements and fortified foods. Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) when used in early pregnancy, treats certain types of anemia, and reduces levels of homocysteine, the latter of which may be linked to beneficial cardiovascular effects.

Key findings

  • Grade B: Blood Pressure (High Blood Pressure)
  • Grade B: C-Reactive Protein (CRP) (Metabolic Health)
  • Grade B: Infant Birth Weight (Low Birth Weight)

Safety

  • Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) when used in early pregnancy, treats certain types of anemia, and reduces levels of homocysteine, the latter of which may be linked to beneficial cardiovascular effects.
ℹ️ Quick Facts: Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)

Quick Facts: Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)

  • Best Evidence:Grade B
  • Conditions Studied:16
  • Research Outcomes:45
  • Grade B Findings:9
  • Key Effect:Depression
Outcomes by grade:
A0
B9
C2
D4
16 conditions · 45 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

Grade:
Effect:
Size:
Sort:
|
B
Blood Pressure
Mixed effect
?
Homocysteine
60 studies
↓Improves
?
Major Adverse Cardiac Events
22 studies
↑Worsens
B
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Small Decrease
14 studies
small↓Improves
?
Serum Folate
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 6
8 studies
↓Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
↓Improves
B
Infant Birth Weight
Mixed effect
?
Infant Death Risk
2 studies
↓Improves
B
Infant Birth Weight
Mixed effect
?
Infant Death Risk
2 studies
↓Improves
B
Blood Pressure
Mixed effect
D
Arterial Stiffness
No effect
6 studies
none
?
Stroke Risk
↑Worsens
?
Vascular Function
14 studies
↑Improves
?
Triglycerides
11 studies
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
10 studies
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
10 studies
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
9 studies
↓Improves
?
Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1
↑Improves
B
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Small Decrease
6 studies
small↓Improves
?
Interleukin 6
4 studies
↓Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
↓Improves
B
Cognition
Small Improvement
small↑Improves
?
Interleukin 6
3 studies
↓Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
↓Improves
B
Seminal Motility
Small Improvement
small↑Improves
?
Sperm Count
1 study
↑Improves
B
Depression Symptoms
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Schizophrenia symptoms
↓Improves
C
Cognition
Small Improvement
small↑Improves
?
Schizophrenia symptoms
↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
↓Improves
C
Infant Birth Weight
Mixed effect
?
Infant Death Risk
2 studies
↓Improves
D
Body Mass Index (BMI)
No effect
none
?
Weight
7 studies
↓Improves
D
HbA1c
No effect
none
?
Homocysteine
4 studies
↓Improves
D
Cleft lip/palate risk
No effect
3 studies
none
?
Neural tube defect risk
↑Worsens
?
Congenital heart defect risk
3 studies
↑Worsens
?
Stroke Risk
↑Worsens
?
Memory
↑Improves
?
Seizure Frequency
↑Worsens

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