Folate Intake Reference
The 400 µg DFE adult target, the pregnancy upgrade, and the food-vs-synthetic equivalence math.
Folic acid's neural-tube-defect prevention is one of nutrition's proven victories — but it only works started before most women know they're pregnant, which is why guidance targets everyone planning or able to conceive. The DFE unit exists because synthetic folic acid absorbs ~1.7× better than food folate; supplement labels already account for it.
Formula
For general information only. Pregnancy and infant care decisions must be guided by your treating clinician or midwife — always defer to their assessment.
The 400 µg DFE adult target, the pregnancy upgrade, and the food-vs-synthetic equivalence math. The Folate Intake Reference is a free, private folate intake tool — every result computes instantly in your browser with no sign-up and no data upload.
About Folate Intake Reference
Folic acid's neural-tube-defect prevention is one of nutrition's proven victories — but it only works started before most women know they're pregnant, which is why guidance targets everyone planning or able to conceive. It applies DFE: 1 µg food folate = 1 DFE; 1 µg folic acid with food = 1.7 DFE. Use the Folate Intake Reference to get an instant, clearly-explained result with the working shown step by step — free, private and with the source method cited.
How to use Folate Intake Reference
- 1Enter your details in the Folate Intake Reference input fields above.
- 2The result updates instantly with the working and reference bands shown.
- 3Adjust any value to explore how it changes the outcome — it's free and unlimited.
Why use Folate Intake Reference?
- ✓Instant folate intake result that recomputes as you type — no waiting, no page reloads
- ✓100% client-side: your health data never leaves your browser
- ✓Shows the actual formula and your numbers substituted in, so you can see exactly how the result is reached
- ✓Based on published, citable sources (IOM — DRI for folate, 1998)
- ✓Free forever with no sign-up, account or app install
Frequently asked questions
How does the Folate Intake Reference work?+
Folic acid's neural-tube-defect prevention is one of nutrition's proven victories — but it only works started before most women know they're pregnant, which is why guidance targets everyone planning or able to conceive. The calculation uses the formula: DFE: 1 µg food folate = 1 DFE; 1 µg folic acid with food = 1.7 DFE. Everything runs instantly in your browser as you type — your inputs are never uploaded.
Is the Folate Intake Reference accurate, and what is it based on?+
The method is traceable to authoritative sources, including IOM — DRI for folate, 1998; MRC Vitamin Study, Lancet 1991 — folate and neural tube defects. Results are estimates — individual variation always applies, so treat the output as a well-grounded starting point.
Is the Folate Intake Reference free and private?+
Yes. It's completely free with no sign-up, and all computation happens locally in your browser, so none of your health data ever leaves your device.
Can I use this for medical decisions?+
This tool is informational only. Always defer to your treating clinician or midwife for pregnancy and infant care decisions.
What can I use the Folate Intake Reference for?+
It's commonly used for folate intake, folic acid rda, 400 mcg folate. The 400 µg DFE adult target, the pregnancy upgrade, and the food-vs-synthetic equivalence math.
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