Folate v folic acid

[KMS]

Okay

I am confused

My DH and I are TTC.

Should I be taking FOLATE or FOLIC ACID?

My Doctor told me not to take Elevit and I think she said just take plain FOLATE.....

Is this correct??

Thank you!

[Bunnyhugs]

Pretty sure they're the same thing :)

[HollyHotLips]

I thought they were the same thing too

[Chunkydunks]

They're the same thing.

The reason your Dr recommended just taking folate is because they probably think you're getting enough of everything you need from your diet.

[andrewsmum]

Why did your doctor tell you not to take Elevit?? I thought it was a good all-round pregnancy and TTC multivitamin?? :confused:

Yeah, I guess folate and folic acid are the same thing?? I had to take Fefol along with Caltrate for extra calcium when I was pregnant with the twins.

[bigglet]

They are kinda the same thing but folate is the natural substance whereas folic acid is chemically made.

They are basically different words for the same B vitamin.

Folic acid is the man-made type (synthetic) of the B vitamin that is used in vitamin supplements and added to certain foods (called enriched or fortified foods). You see it added to bread, cereals, juices etc.

Folate is the natural type of the B vitamin and it is already a part of some foods. (eg. spinach, lentils etc) The biggest difference between folic acid and folate is that folic acid is used more easily by the body than folate. Because folic acid is better used by the body, people usually talk more about this type of the B vitamin.

[JabberJaw]

I use to take Fefol (iron and folate/folic acid)

But with last bub they recommended Elivit, i took it all through pregnancy and still now breastfeeding :D

[KMS]

Thanks very much for all the helpful replies, my "new" lady dr that I went to about having troubles with ttc has got me charting my temp, and had me and dh do all the tests, everything came back fine, so she just wants me to chart my temp for a few months so she can have a look at that, she asked if I as on folate, I said I was taking elevit, she told me there is a lot of stuff in elevit that you dont need and said folate on its own will be just fine (this is just her opinion and I guess all dr's have their own opinions.) Thanks again....x

[tegie2302]

Hi,

My doctor said the same thing in regards to taking a multi vit like elivit. If i am eating a healthy balanced diet and taking folate that should be sufficient.

[Silver_Lining]

My Doctor also said not to worry about anything other than Folate tablets :yes: