folic acid

noun

fo·​lic acid ˈfō-lik- How to pronounce folic acid (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It is already recommended to avoid supplementing more than 1,000 mcg of folic acid daily.1 Just because some folic acid has benefits, more is not better. Jennifer Lefton, Ms, Rd/n, Cnsc, Fand, Verywell Health, 7 Apr. 2025 Doctors typically advise that pregnant women take prenatal vitamins to increase their intake of folic acid, iron and calcium, which are important for fetal growth and development. Renée Onque,lauren Shamo, CNBC, 7 Mar. 2025 High levels of this amino acid are known to increase the risk of coronary artery disease and blood clots, and can result from a diet deficient in folic acid or vitamin B12. Neil Savage, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2025 Columnist Gustavo Arellano makes the case that California lawmakers’ plan to add folic acid to tortillas is a bad idea. Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for folic acid

Word History

Etymology

Latin folium

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of folic acid was in 1941

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Cite this Entry

“Folic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folic%20acid. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

folic acid

noun
fo·​lic acid ˌfō-lik- How to pronounce folic acid (audio)
: a crystalline vitamin of the B complex used especially in the treatment of anemia resulting from inadequate intake of nutrients

Medical Definition

folic acid

noun
fo·​lic acid ˌfō-lik- How to pronounce folic acid (audio)
: 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 Bc, vitamin M

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