folic acid

noun

fo·​lic acid ˈfō-lik- 

: 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

Lemons contain vitamin C, folic acid, vitamin B, and other minerals, and are believed to provide a host of health benefits. —Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2024

And the body uses the folic acid in strawberries to create sperm cells. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 2 Oct. 2024

Supplements: Zinc may also interact with the absorption of various supplements, including calcium, copper, folic acid, iron, and magnesium. —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 22 Sep. 2024

Fortifying bouillon cubes with iron, folic acid, zinc, and vitamin B12, for example, could prevent 16.6 million cases of anemia each year in Nigeria. —Alice Park, TIME, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin folium

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

folic acid

noun

fo·​lic acid ˌfō-lik- 

: 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- 

: 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