Folic Acid

Folic acid, also known in nutrition as folate or vitamin B9 (B11 in the Netherlands) is mainly known among women who want to have children, but this vitamin does more than that. What does folic acid contain, how do you get enough and what else do you need to know about it?

Found in
You can find folic acid in green leafy vegetables such as endive, lettuce, spinach, kale, brussels sprouts, broccoli, legumes, strawberries and kiwis, whole grain products, kernels, seeds, nuts and beans.
Supplement
Flow
Vorm
Quatrefolic®, an active form of folic acid that is well absorbed by the body.
Aanbevolen dagelijkse hoeveelheid
300 micrograms for women, 400 micrograms for pregnant or breastfeeding women, 300 micrograms for men. One capsule of Guud Flow contains 500 micrograms
Maximum daily amount 1000 mcg

Guud for...

  • Prenatal Development
  • Pregnancy
Folic acid contributes to, among other things…

Folic acid supplementation increases maternal folate status. A low maternal folate status is a risk factor for the development of neural tube defects in the developing fetus.

What does folic acid do in your body?

Folic acid is necessary for growth, proper bodily function, and the production of white and red blood cells. It is also important for the early development of the unborn child.

How do you know if you have a folic acid deficiency?

A folic acid deficiency causes anemia.

These symptoms may be attributed to other deficiencies or problems, so always consult a doctor if you experience them persistently or are concerned.

An unborn child has an increased risk of spina bifida, cleft lip, and cleft palate. Therefore, a folic acid supplement is recommended for pregnant women.

Which foods contain folic acid?

Folic acid, also known as vitamin B11 or B9, is not produced by the body. Therefore, it's important to get enough through food or supplements. You can find it in foods such as:

  • green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and arugula
  • fruits such as citrus fruits, strawberries and kiwis
  • legumes such as lentils, peas and green beans
  • whole grain products, such as whole wheat bread or pasta
What does folic acid contain?

Folic acid, also called Vitamin B11 or B9, is not produced by the body. That is why it is important that you get enough through food or supplements. You will find it in:

  • green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and arugula
  • fruits such as citrus fruits, strawberries and kiwislegumes such as lentils, peas and green beans
  • whole grain products, for example whole wheat bread or rusks
    meat
  • dairy products such as milk, cheese and butter
How much folic acid can I take?

Whether and for how long you can take folic acid depends on your individual needs and personal situation. If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, the recommended daily amount is 400 mcg, with a maximum upper limit of 1000 mcg.

One Guud Flow capsule contains 500 mcg of folic acid.

How much folic acid can I take?

The recommended daily amount of folic acid depends on your age, gender and your personal situation (pregnant, breastfeeding), but is around 300 µg per day for an adult woman and 400 µg for pregnant or breastfeeding women. In 1 Guud Flow capsule you will find 500 µg folic acid.

How long can I take folic acid?

How long you should take folic acid depends on your individual needs and personal situation. Ensure you get enough folate from food and, if necessary, supplement your diet with an active form of folic acid. Consult a doctor if you suspect a folic acid deficiency and would like personalized advice.

What is the difference between folate and active folic acid?

Folate and folic acid are often confused and used interchangeably. But there's a difference between folic acid and folate. Folic acid is the synthetic form, while folate is the natural form found in many unprocessed foods. And while "natural" sounds better, it doesn't always mean it's readily or easily absorbed by your body.

Before our bodies can use folic acid, it must be converted twice before it is finally converted into the form our bodies can use (L-methylfolate, also known as folate 5-MTHF).

But folate from food also has to be converted into the final form (L-methylfolate or 5-MTHF) before we can use it.

At Guud Flow, we make things a little easier for the body: we use a highly absorbable form of folic acid (Quatrefolic). This form is organic and can be used directly by the body.

If you want to take such a supplement, you will want to look for one of these names on the packaging after vitamin B9, B11 or folic acid:

  • Folate/folate
  • Quatrefolic
  • 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate
  • 5-MTHF
  • L-methylfolate