folic acid

noun

fo·lic acid | \ ˈfō-lik-

Definition of folic acid

: a crystalline vitamin C₁₉H₁₉N₇O₆ of the B complex that is required for normal production of red blood cells, is used especially in the treatment of nutritional anemias, and occurs chiefly in green leafy vegetables, liver, kidneys, dried beans, and mushrooms

— called also pteroylglutamic acid

Examples of folic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Like many leafy greens, kale is high in vitamins A, C and K, as well as folic acid and lutein, and can go toe-to-toe with milk for calcium absorption. — Casey Barber, CNN, 27 May 2021 Those interventions are treating malaria in pregnant women, giving iron and folic acid supplements to all women of reproductive age, and giving micronutrient supplements to pregnant women. — Sharman Apt Russell, Scientific American, 20 May 2021 One such enzyme, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, encoded by the MTHFR gene, is critical for converting one type of folate (also known as folic acid or vitamin B9) into another type of folate commonly found in blood. — Miriam Fauzia, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2018 At high levels, homocysteine is linked to greater brain atrophy and low levels of vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid. — Good Housekeeping Editors, Good Housekeeping, 15 June 2020 In fact, high doses of some vitamins and minerals — particularly vitamin A, vitamin D, niacin, folic acid, calcium and iron — can build up to toxic levels and have adverse side effects. — Lisa Drayer, CNN, 24 June 2020 To this day, bread is enriched with such vitamins and minerals as thiamin, folic acid, and calcium. — Saveur, 22 Apr. 2012 She was first inspired by the writings of Benjamin Franklin on the subject in the pages of The Pennsylvania Gazette, and forever changed when one of her cousins died at age 4 from a disease that could have been prevented with simple folic acid. — Justin L. Mack, Indianapolis Star, 12 Mar. 2020 For instance, deficiencies in iron, vitamin B and folic acid have been associated with angular cheilitis, a common skin condition marked by fissures, scaling or crusting in the corners of the mouth. — NBC News, 20 Feb. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'folic acid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

1 Jun 2021

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“Folic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folic%20acid. Accessed 22 Jun. 2021.

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More Definitions for folic acid

folic acid

noun

fo·lic acid | \ ˌfō-lik-

Medical Definition of folic acid

: a crystalline vitamin C₁₉H₁₉N₇O₆ of the B complex that is required for normal production of red blood cells, that is used especially in the treatment of nutritional anemias, and that occurs especially in green leafy vegetables, liver, kidneys, dried beans, and mushrooms

— called also folacin, folate, Lactobacillus casei factor, pteroylglutamic acid, vitamin B_c, vitamin M