fS-Folaat

Folate is water-soluble vitamin B9 that is obtained from food and produced by gut microbes. Folate is stored in the liver. Folic acid is a synthetic vitamin that is similar to folate, and it is found in vitamin products, nutritional supplements, and some supplemented foods. Vitamin B12 is needed in converting folate to the biologically active form.

Folate is needed for several important tasks:

• Cell division
• DNA synthesis
• Protein synthesis
• Red blood cell production
• Hydrochloric acid formation in the stomach
• Brain metabolism

During pregnancy, the need for folate increases, and it reduces the risk of neural tube defects in the baby.

Among foods, folate is found at high levels in dark-green vegetables, legumes, berries, fruit, and whole-grain products. Folate breaks down quickly and is sensitive to heat. For example, cooking food for a long time destroys folate.

When should folate be measured?

Folate can be associated with the following symptoms:

• Muscle weakness
• Nerve symptoms
• Loss of appetite
• Weakened immune defence
• Fatigue
• Changes in the oral mucosa
• Dizziness
• Slowing down of growth
• Skin changes

What does a folate test measure?

Folate is an indicator of the folic acid balance in the body. The value is sensitive to dietary changes.

Folate is measured, for example, when investigating malabsorption of nutrients or a general disturbance in nutrition and cause of anaemia.