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Folic Acid 400 mcg

Carlson
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(409 ratings)
Folate 680 mcg
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Score80
A long-supply folic acid tablet offers practical dosing and value. Ambiguous source-versus-DFE labeling and absent B12 are the main limitations.
How scoring works
Quantity:300 Tablet(s) • (300 servings)
Goals:
General Health
Hair Health

Score 80

A long-supply folic acid tablet offers practical dosing and value. Ambiguous source-versus-DFE labeling and absent B12 are the main limitations.
How scoring works
$12.67($0.04 per serving)
iHerb
$ 12.67
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Analysis

The label lists 680 mcg of folate under a 400 mcg folic acid product name. That likely reflects DFE conversion, but the supplied data do not clearly separate source amount from dietary folate equivalent.

One tablet offers simple dosing and a 300-serving supply. Folic acid requires conversion and is less direct than 5-MTHF or folinic acid.

No vitamin B12 accompanies the folate, which matters during sustained use. It fits cost-focused users with a specific reason to choose folic acid and a separate plan for B12 adequacy.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking basic folic acid
  • Budget-focused long-term users
  • People who separately maintain adequate B12
Best for
  • Basic folic acid supplementation
  • One-tablet use
  • Long-supply value

Pros

  • Provides a meaningful folate amount
  • Keeps the active formula simple
  • Includes 300 servings
  • Offers low serving cost

Cons

  • Uses folic acid rather than active folate
  • Source amount and DFE are not clearly separated
  • No vitamin B12 is included

Warnings

  • Long-term folic acid use without adequate B12 can mask blood signs of B12 deficiency
  • Confirm whether the listed 680 mcg represents DFE rather than the folic acid source amount
  • Review use with a prescriber when taking folate-antagonist medicines

Nutrient quality

82 Highest impact

The focused single-nutrient formula contains no active padding. The product uses basic folic acid rather than an active reduced folate.

Ingredient transparency

75 High impact

No proprietary blend hides the folate dose. The supplied data omit a complete inactive-ingredient list.

Customer satisfaction

70 High impact

The aggregate satisfaction metric is strong. No complaint text is supplied, so repeated negative themes cannot be assessed.

Value for money

94 Highest impact

No extras inflate the formula. The basic form is offset by very low relative cost.

Report analysis

Goals

General Health
General Health
Impact
High effect
A- Goal FitB- Strength of SupportD CoverageA+ Formula Quality
Folate · 680 mcg

Folate supports DNA synthesis, methylation, and normal red-blood-cell formation, making it a relevant foundational nutrient. The disclosed amount is meaningful for daily intake and the focused tablet avoids unnecessary extras.

The label does not identify whether the folate is folic acid or an active methylated form, which limits absorption and form assessment. Sustained high folic-acid intake can mask signs of vitamin B12 deficiency, especially in older adults or people with limited animal-food intake.

Study evidence
Folate Supportive 80 studies
Hair Health
Hair Health
Impact
Moderate effect
D+ Goal FitB- Strength of SupportF CoverageA Formula Quality

Folate may support follicle cell division when deficiency is present, but it is a narrow and indirect hair intervention. Deficiency biology is well established, while evidence for extra folate improving hair in replete users is limited.

The 680 mcg amount is meaningful for folate nutrition. The single-nutrient formula is coherent for targeted folate support.

Study evidence
Folate Mixed 15 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Folate
680 mcg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Pregnant
Report overview
Folate · 680 mcg OverallScore44
F Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityC+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyC Value

The product name identifies basic folic acid rather than an active folate form. The listed folate amount is in the optimal range, but DFE source breakdown and vitamin B12 are absent. Very low cost provides good basic value despite weaker form quality.

View ingredientView products
Loading alternative details
86 Performance

Methyl B-12 Methyl Folate Lonzenge Natural Cherry Flavor

Solaray
<p>Methylcobalamin and branded methylfolate provide a high-quality active-form pairing at targeted amounts, providing stronger form quality and broader cofactor support than synthetic folic acid alone. The vitamin B12 concentration may exceed basic maintenance needs.</p>
86 Performance

B-6 B-12 Folic Acid Drop Ins Natural Mixed Berry Flavor

KAL
<p>Active vitamin B6, methylfolate, and methylcobalamin provide strong form quality in a flexible liquid, providing stronger form quality and broader cofactor support than synthetic folic acid alone. The concentrated vitamin B12 amount is more suited to targeted use than basic maintenance.</p>
82 Performance

BioActive Vitamin B

Terry Naturally
<p>Active forms of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folate create a compact and well-targeted B-vitamin formula, providing stronger form quality and broader cofactor support than synthetic folic acid alone. The vitamin B6 amount may be more than many users need for long-term daily use.</p>
84 Budget

Folic Acid 800 mcg

Spring Valley
<p>A substantial folic acid amount provides simple targeted support at the lowest listed serving cost, making it a more economical alternative to the low-cost synthetic folic acid tablet. Synthetic folic acid requires conversion and the missing vitamin B12 can allow an unrecognized B12 deficiency to remain hidden.</p>
88 Budget

MegaFolinic 800 mcg

Source Naturals
<p>Calcium folinate supplies a metabolically active folate form at a substantial amount with excellent serving value, and although no eligible choice fills every cheaper slot below the low-cost synthetic folic acid tablet, it is among the closest low-cost options. The single-nutrient formula omits vitamin B12, so prolonged high folate use can mask an unrecognized B12 deficiency.</p>
80 Budget

Multi Gummies plus Extra C

21st Century Zoo Friends
<p>A low-cost children’s gummy provides a modest spread of vitamins in an easy format, and although no eligible choice fills every cheaper slot below the low-cost synthetic folic acid tablet, it is among the closest low-cost options. Folate and several other forms are basic or unspecified, making it light nutritional coverage rather than targeted folate support.</p>
87 Value

Methyl Folate 800 mcg

KAL
<p>Active 6S methylfolate provides biologically ready folate at a substantial amount and favorable serving value, offering a stronger active-folate trade-off when improved form quality matters more than the absolute lowest cost. The high folate exposure is not paired with vitamin B12, which can leave an unrecognized B12 deficiency hidden.</p>
88 Value

Methylfolate 1333 mcg DFE (800 mcg (6S)-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate) Orange Flavor

Country Life
<p>Explicitly identified 6S methylfolate provides a biologically ready form with clear dietary-equivalent context, offering a stronger active-folate trade-off when improved form quality matters more than the absolute lowest cost. The substantial amount is not paired with vitamin B12, so prolonged use could mask an unrecognized B12 deficiency.</p>
85 Value

5-Methyl Folate 1000 mcg

Protocol For Life Balance
<p>Quatrefolic provides a body-ready methylfolate form at a high targeted amount with clear isomer detail, offering a stronger active-folate trade-off when improved form quality matters more than the absolute lowest cost. The high folate exposure lacks vitamin B12 and could mask an unrecognized B12 deficiency.</p>
Report alternatives

Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Intakes of Folate, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12 in Relation to All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality: A National Population-Based Cohort.
    Bo Y; Xu H; Zhang H; Zhang J; Wan Z; Zhao X; Yu Z · Nutrients · 2022
    Cohort study55,569 participantsGeneral Health forFolate
  2. The responsiveness of plasma homocysteine to small increases in dietary folic acid: a primary care study.
    Schorah CJ; Devitt H; Lucock M; Dowell AC · European journal of clinical nutrition · 1998
    Randomized trial119 participantsGeneral Health forFolate
  3. Associations of Serum Folate and Homocysteine Concentrations with All-Cause, Cardiovascular Disease, and Cancer Mortality in Men and Women in Korea: the Cardiovascular Disease Association Study.
    Song S; Song BM; Park HY · The Journal of nutrition · 2023
    Cohort study21,260 participantsGeneral Health forFolate
  4. The concept of folic acid supplementation and its role in prevention of neural tube defect among pregnant women: PRISMA.
    Seyoum Tola F · Medicine · 2024
    Systematic reviewGeneral Health forFolate
  5. Systematic review of adverse health outcomes associated with high serum or red blood cell folate concentrations.
    Colapinto CK; O'Connor DL; Sampson M; Williams B; Tremblay MS · Journal of public health (Oxford, England) · 2017
    Systematic review71,847 participants46 studies pooledGeneral Health forFolate
  6. Hair Loss After Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
    Zhang W; Fan M; Wang C; Mahawar K; Parmar C; Chen W; Yang W; Global Bariatric Research Collaborative · Obesity surgery · 2021
    Meta-analysis2,538 participants18 studies pooledHair Health forFolate
  7. Quantitative Analysis of Selected Circulating Hematological Biomarkers, Essential Minerals, Vitamins, and Thyroid Hormones in Females Affected by Hair Loss.
    Al-Fawaeir S; Al-Odat I · Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025
    Case-control study200 participantsHair Health forFolate
  8. Twelve weeks of protracted venous infusion of fluorouracil (5-FU) is as effective as 6 months of bolus 5-FU and folinic acid as adjuvant treatment in colorectal cancer.
    Saini A; Norman AR; Cunningham D; Chau I; Hill M; Tait D; Hickish T; Iveson T; Lofts F; Jodrell D; Ross PJ; Oates J · British journal of cancer · 2003
    Randomized trialHair Health forFolate
  9. Role of oxaliplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid in the first- and second-line treatment of advanced colorectal cancer.
    Jonker D; Rumble RB; Maroun J; Gastrointestinal Cancer Disease Site Groupof Cancer Care Ontario’s Program in Evidence-Based Care · Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.) · 2012
    Randomized trialHair Health forFolate
  10. Phase I-II study of vinorelbine in combination with 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid as first-line chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer: a regimen with a low subjective toxic burden.
    Nolè F; de Braud F; Aapro M; Minchella I; De Pas TM; Zampino MG; Monti S; Andreoni G; Goldhirsch A · Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology · 1997
    Randomized trialHair Health forFolate