What Is Folinic Acid & What Foods Can I Find It In?
Folinic acid is more commonly known as 5-formyl tetrahydrofolic acid or leucovorin.
Folinic acid is one of the naturally occurring forms of B-vitamin folate.
They are a group of substances that are structurally related to and have similar biological activity to folic acid.
Folinic acid can be used to treat folate deficiency.
It’s used in medication to decrease the toxic effects of methotrexate and pyrimethamine and is also used in combination with 5-fluorouracil to treat various cancers.
Table of Contents
Folinic Acid, Naturally Occurring
Folinic acid is also known as 5-formyl tetrahydrofolic acid or leucovorin.
It is practically insoluble in water and acidic. (source ◳)
Folinic acid is one of the main naturally occurring forms of folic acid in foods. (source ◳)
Folinic acid is closely related to folate, which is an essential nutrient for humans.
They share the same dietary precursor, 5-formyltetrahydrofolate, although they differ in their biological roles and effects.
Not The Same As Folic Acid
Folic acid and folinic acid (5-formyl tetrahydrofolic acid) are often considered the same, but they are not the same.
Folic acid is a synthetic, oxidized, and water-soluble form of folate that does not exist in nature.
Folinic acid exists naturally and is biologically active. (source ◳)
Uses Of Folinic Acid
Folinic acid is used in the treatment of various cancers in combination with 5-fluorouracil.
(Fluorouracil is one of the most commonly used drugs to treat cancer. It is most often used in combination with other drugs or nutrients)
Folinic acid is often used in dietary supplements for vitamin B9.
Folinic acid can be used to treat and prevent the symptoms of anemia.
The effect of Folinic acid in the treatment of acute liver failure has been well established and is the most commonly used drug for this purpose.
Folinic Acid Treats Deficiency
Folinic acid is beneficial for the treatment of patients with folate deficiency.
It is also beneficial for prevention of subclinical vitamin B12 deficiency in hemodialysis patients.
Folinic Acid In Foods
Naturally, its found in foods like leafy green vegetables, like lettuce. (source ◳)
But is also found in dairy products.
It is also present in fortified foods.
Foods in our nutrition tool
You can find regularly updated top-ranked lists of foods for over 200+ nutrients in our nutrition tool.
We currently have just a few foods in our nutrition tool that contain Folinic Acid.
Here's our short list of foods that contain Folinic Acid.
