General Dosage
400 mcg DFE daily for adults; 600-800 mcg in pregnancy; 500 mcg during lactation
Maximum dose: 1,000 mcg/day folic acid from supplements (UL); does not apply to food folate or methylfolate
Vitamin B9 (Folate) Dosage Guide
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Dosage Recommendations
General recommendation: 400 mcg DFE daily for adults; 600-800 mcg in pregnancy; 500 mcg during lactation
Timing: Any time of day; consistent daily use is key, especially for pregnancy prevention
Dosage by Condition
| Condition | Recommended Dose | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| General health | 400 mcg DFE daily | Strong |
| Pregnancy/preconception | 600-800 mcg daily (start 1-3 months before conception) | Strong |
| NTD history (recurrence prevention) | 4,000 mcg daily under medical supervision | Strong |
| Depression augmentation | 7.5-15 mg L-methylfolate daily (prescription Deplin) | Moderate |
Upper limit: 1,000 mcg/day folic acid from supplements (UL); does not apply to food folate or methylfolate
Timing & Absorption
Any time of day; consistent daily use is key, especially for pregnancy prevention
Can be taken with or without food.
References
- MRC Vitamin Study Research Group (1991). Prevention of neural tube defects: results of the Medical Research Council Vitamin Study. Lancet. DOI PubMed
- Homocysteine Lowering Trialists' Collaboration (1998). Lowering blood homocysteine with folic acid based supplements: meta-analysis of randomised trials. BMJ. DOI PubMed
- Papakostas GI, Shelton RC, Zajecka JM, et al. (2012). L-methylfolate as adjunctive therapy for SSRI-resistant major depression. American Journal of Psychiatry. DOI PubMed