Is Folinic Acid the Same as Folic Acid?

As they sound similar, you would be excused for thinking folinic acid was the same as folic acid. But despite their similar titles, each vitamin plays a different role in your body. 

And it’s not just folic and folinic acid you need to get your head around; similarities also arise between folate and methylfolate. All four vitamins refer to vitamin B9, a nutrient your body needs to make and repair DNA, form healthy red blood cells and support normal amino acid metabolism. 

The way they differ lies in how the vitamins’ molecules are structured, how much energy your body is required to metabolise it and what the evidence says about each one. Different people also require higher levels of each one. 

In this guide, Supplement Hub’s in-house Practitioner and women’s health expert, Josephine Smith, explains what folic acid and folinic acid actually are, what each one does, and how to work out which belongs in your supplement stash.

Key takeaways:

• Folinic acid and folic acid are not the same thing. Both are forms of folate (vitamin B9), but folic acid is a synthetic form that needs more processing by the body before it can be used.

• Folinic acid is a reduced form that needs less processing. Although folinic acid needs less processing by the body, that does not mean it is the best choice for everyone. 

• Folic acid is the form of folate with the strongest evidence behind it in pregnancy. UK guidance is 400 micrograms of folic acid daily from before conception until the 12th week - folinic acid is not a recognised substitute for that.

• Some individuals should also be wary that their folate intake doesn’t cause another condition to go under the radar, as a high intake of folinic and folic acid can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency. 

The difference between folinic acid and folic acid

Folic acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B9, while folinic acid is a reduced form of folate that naturally occurs in the body. Folinic acid used in supplements is made synthetically, but it is based on the same type of folate found naturally in the body.

The key difference is how much processing each form needs. Folic acid has to be converted by the body before it can be used, while folinic acid needs less processing.

They’re similar in the fact that they both belong to the folate family - ‘folate’ is the broad term for all forms of vitamin B9. Folic acid and folinic acid are two of those forms: folic acid is synthetic and needs to be converted before the body can use it, while folinic acid is already partly converted.

You get folic acid from supplements or fortified foods, then your body uses enzymes (proteins that make chemical changes in the body) to convert it into usable forms of folate. Folinic acid starts further along in this process, so it needs fewer steps before it can be used.

Both forms can support the body’s normal folate functions, including making DNA and supporting healthy cell division.

What is Folic Acid?

Folic acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B9, meaning it’s manmade, making it easier to add to supplements, prenatal vitamins and fortified foods.

So what does folic acid do? Once consumed, folic acid is processed by our body via a series of enzyme-driven steps. Once converted, folate is involved in:

• Making and repairing DNA and normal cell division

• Forming healthy red blood cells (normal blood formation)

• Normal psychological function

• Normal immune function

• Reducing tiredness and fatigue

• Maternal tissue growth during pregnancy

Folic acid dominates the folate family when it comes to supplements, partly because it’s stable, cost-effective, well absorbed and by far the most studied. Research shows that folic acid supplementation before and during early pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube defects. 

What is Folinic Acid?

Folinic acid or folinate is a naturally occurring, already-active folate. It appears on supplement labels as folinic acid or calcium folinate. Calcium folinate is the calcium salt of folinic acid, used because it’s more stable in a capsule. In a clinical setting, the same compound is known as leucovorin, where it’s used alongside certain chemotherapy drugs and as a rescue therapy after high-dose methotrexate.

Unlike folic acid, folinic acid doesn’t need the initial reduction steps. It enters the folate cycle much further downstream and is readily converted into the other active folate forms your body uses. 

It’s also non-methylated, which is the main reason people seek it out. Methylfolate (5-MTHF) is another popular “active” folate; however, some people report headaches or irritability with methylated B vitamins. This is because methylfolate helps make dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, all of which can overstimulate neurotransmitters and trigger head tension. Whereas folinic acid offers an active folate without the methyl group. 

Small amounts of folinic acid do occur naturally in food - it can be found in:

• Beef liver

• Eggs (from chickens fed on grasses and leafy greens)

• Legumes (beans, peas, lentils)

• Asparagus

• Leafy green vegetables (rocket, kale, spinach)

Folic Acid vs Folate - Are they the same?

No, folic acid and folate are technically not the same - folate describes the broader term that covers all forms of vitamin B9, including the naturally occurring folates in food, while folic acid is one specific synthetic form of folate. Folic acid can be referred to as folate, but not all folate is folic acid.

However, when it comes to labelling, it’s not always obvious what type of ‘folate’ is listed on a product, as the UK and EU  allow “folate” or “folic acid” to be used on nutrition labels to cover any permitted form. This could mean a product listing “folate 400µg” could contain folic acid, methylfolate or folinic acid. At Supplement Hub, we’d always recommend reading the full list of ingredients before making a purchase, so you can get the right type for your needs. See the table below for greater understanding, or read our guide about methylfolate vs folic acid for pregnancy.

	Folinic Acid	Folic Acid
Type of nutrient	Water-soluble vitamin (a reduced, biologically active form of vitamin B9)	Water-soluble vitamin (the synthetic, fully oxidised form of vitamin B9)
Primary role	Enters the folate cycle downstream, converting readily into the active folates used for DNA synthesis, cell division and red blood cell formation	Converted in several enzymatic steps into active folate, then used for DNA synthesis, cell division, red blood cell formation and homocysteine metabolism
Areas of the body supported	Blood, nervous system, new cell formation, supports normal psychological function and immune function	Blood, nervous system, new cell formation, supports the foetal neural tube in early pregnancy and supports normal psychological and immune function
Recommended daily dosage	No separate UK recommended intake - folate requirements are 200µg per day for adults, met by any permitted folate form. Supplement doses typically 400–800µg	200µg per day (adults) as part of total folate intake. 400µg daily supplement recommended before conception and to week 12 of pregnancy. Upper level 1,000µg per day from supplements and fortified foods
Food sources	Naturally present as one of several folate forms in dark leafy greens, liver, legumes, asparagus and citrus	Not naturally present in food. Found in fortified foods (breakfast cereals and UK non-wholemeal wheat flour from December 2026) and supplements
Deficiency risks / Symptoms	Low folate of any form can cause megaloblastic anaemia, fatigue, breathlessness, mouth ulcers, irritability and poor concentration	Low folate of any form can cause megaloblastic anaemia, fatigue, breathlessness, mouth ulcers, irritability and poor concentration (folate deficiency is the same condition regardless of which form is under-supplied)
Supplement usage	Chosen by people sensitive to methylated B vitamins, or following a practitioner-guided protocol, it is commonly combined with vitamin B12	The default in prenatal and pregnancy supplements, multivitamins and B-complexes; the form used in almost all clinical research

 

Folinic Acid vs Folic Acid: Which one should I take?

For most people with no specific complicating factors, either form will raise folate status effectively. The choice comes down to your health goal, your tolerance and your fertility plans. 

Folic Acid Benefits

Benefits of taking folic acid include the fact that it:

• Is thoroughly backed by research 
  The strongest evidence base of any folate form, it has been rigorously tested more than any other form and proven to support a healthier pregnancy (in most cases). 
• Supports tissue growth during pregnancy
  In the UK, it is recommended to supplement folic acid before conception and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, to reduce the risk of neural tube defects, poor early spinal development and brain problems
• Can prevent or support some forms of anaemia
  Folic acid supports normal blood formation and helps address folate deficiency anaemia.
• Support the body’s vital processes
  Folic acid contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism, alongside vitamins B6 and B12.
• Boost energy
  It can help reduce tiredness and fatigue and support normal psychological function

Folinic Acid Benefits

Benefits of taking folinic acid include the fact it is:

• A more ‘natural’ form of folate
  As folinic acid is already reduced, it bypasses the first conversion steps folic acid has to go through

• More widely accepted by the body than some other forms of folate
  As folinic acid is non-methylated, it is a useful option for anyone who finds methylfolate over-stimulating (some people report having more side effects on methylated B vitamins)

• Able to support the body’s vital functions
  Like folic acid, folinic acid delivers the same core folate functions: normal blood formation, cell division, amino acid synthesis, homocysteine metabolism, immune function and reduced tiredness.

• Frequently recommended by practitioners supporting an individual’s supplementation health plan
  Folinic acid is often paired with a suitable form of vitamin B12, since folate and B12 work closely together.

Folic Acid Side Effects

Although usually mild and widely tolerated by the majority of people, some individuals do report having side effects. These can include:

• Nausea, bloating, wind or loss of appetite

• Sleep disturbance or vivid dreams in some people

• A bitter or metallic taste

• Rarely, an allergic reaction. If you suspect you’re having an allergic reaction, stop taking it and seek medical advice

Folinic Acid Side Effects

Like folic acid, folinic acid is widely tolerated at typical supplement doses. However, like folic acid, side effects can include:

• Mild digestive upset, nausea or bloating

• Sleep disturbance or restlessness in sensitive individuals

• Folinic acid and folic acid can also interact with medicines used to treat other conditions, including some autoimmune diseases and cancers. The effect can be positive or negative, as folate can reduce a drug's side effects, but it can also make a drug work harder or, in some cases, less well. Always check with a medical professional to see which is the correct dosage for you and your condition

Folinic and folic acid supplementation can mask a B12 deficiency

Some individuals should also be wary that their folate intake doesn’t cause another condition to go under the radar, as a high intake of folinic and folic acid can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency. 

High folic acid intakes can correct the anaemia caused by B12 deficiency while the associated nerve damage continues undetected. This is why the tolerable upper intake level for adults is set at 1,000µg per day from supplements and fortified foods, and why folate and B12 status are best assessed together.

Folic acid can also interact with certain medications, including methotrexate, some anti-epileptic drugs such as phenytoin, sulfasalazine and trimethoprim. Speak to your GP or pharmacist before supplementing if you take any of these.

Can I take folinic acid and folic acid together?

Yes, most people can take folic acid and folinic acid together; however, there’s rarely a reason to take both folic and folinic acid in tandem. Both raise folate status, and taking both simply increases total folate intake toward the 1,000 µg upper level without adding benefit.

The role of folinic and folic acid in pregnancy

Those who are trying to conceive and those in the early stages of pregnancy are recommended to take some form of folate. This is because the foetus’s neural tube - which becomes the brain and spinal cord - forms within the first four weeks, often before a pregnancy is confirmed. Adequate folate at that point substantially reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. You can read more about this in our guide to folic acid in pregnancy.

How much folic acid is recommended during pregnancy?

NHS UK guidance is 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, ideally starting at least three months before conception and continued until the end of the 12th week of pregnancy. Some people are advised to take a much higher dose of 5mg daily - this is available on prescription from a GP. This applies if you or the baby’s biological father have a neural tube defect or a family history of one, if you’ve had a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect, if you have diabetes, if you take anti-epileptic medication, or if you have sickle cell disease or thalassaemia.

If you’re planning a pregnancy, pre-pregnancy vitamins and prenatal formulas will usually cover the standard 400µg alongside vitamin D and other nutrients.

Is folinic acid better than folic acid for pregnancy?

No. Folic acid is seen as the preferred option for pregnancy. The evidence that supplementation prevents neural tube defects comes from trials using folic acid. Folinic acid has not been widely tested for this purpose, so there is no basis for treating it as an equivalent swap.

If you’re pregnant or trying to conceive, follow the folic acid recommendation. If you have a reason to try a different folate form, e.g. poor tolerance or because of an existing prescription, make sure to discuss it with your midwife, GP or a qualified practitioner before making any change, rather than substituting on your own. Our guide on the differences between folate and folic acid may provide some further clarity.

FAQs

Can men take folic acid?

Yes. Folate isn’t a pregnancy-only nutrient - it’s required by everyone for DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation and normal homocysteine metabolism. Men’s requirements are the same: 200µg per day, usually met through diet, with supplements a reasonable option when intake is low. There is ongoing research into folate and sperm quality, but the findings aren’t yet conclusive enough to make a firm recommendation. See our men’s health range for broader support.

What causes low folic acid levels?

Common causes of folate deficiency include:

• Low dietary intake
  This is particularly the case for diets low on vegetables, pulses and whole grains

• Malabsorption issues
  Some conditions can prevent vitamins being absorbed as they should; people with coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease or those recovering after some forms of bariatric surgery can also be susceptible to certain deficiencies, including low folic acid levels

• Your body’s increased demand for folate
  Pregnancy, breastfeeding and other conditions with high cell turnover can cause your body to require higher levels of certain vitamins, including folic acid

• Frequent alcohol use
  Regular alcohol consumption can interfere with folate absorption and metabolism

• Certain medications
  Being on certain medications, including methotrexate, some anticonvulsants, sulfasalazine and trimethoprim, can affect your folate levels 

Symptoms of low folate can include persistent fatigue, breathlessness, mouth ulcers, a sore tongue, irritability and brain fog. They often overlap heavily with vitamin B12 deficiency, so a blood test is the only reliable way to tell them apart. 

High-Quality, Practitioner-Backed Supplements

Choosing between folinic acid and folic acid comes down to your individual health goals and, in pregnancy, to following established guidance. At Supplement Hub, our practitioner-backed approach and carefully curated collection of high-quality products - including supplements from the likes of Seeking Health and Pure Encapsulations - offer peace of mind as you find the right supplements for your needs.

If you’re unsure which form suits you, or you’re managing a health condition or taking prescribed medication, speak to your GP or a qualified practitioner before starting a new supplement.