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The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
ADULTS
BY MOUTH:
- General: The recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for folate are provided as Dietary Folate Equivalents (DFE). This is because the folic acid found in supplements is absorbed better by the body than the folate found in food. 1 mcg DFE is the same as 1 mcg of folate in food. 1 mcg DFE is the same as 0.6 mcg of folic acid supplement. The RDAs for adults are 400 mcg DFE for men and women, 600 mcg DFE for pregnant women, and 500 mcg DFE for lactating women.
- For folic acid deficiency:The typical dose is 250 mcg (micrograms) to 1 mg (milligrams) per day.
- For preventing birth defects of the brain and spine (neural tube birth defects): Women capable of becoming pregnant should take 400 mcg of folic acid per day from fortified foods or supplements. Women who are pregnant are advised to take 600 mcg of folic acid per day from fortified foods or supplements. Women with a history of previous pregnancy complicated by neural tube defects usually take 4 mg per day beginning one month before and continuing for up to 3 months after conception.
- For reducing colon cancer risk: 400 mcg per day.
- For treating high amounts of homocysteine in the blood (hyperhomocysteinemia):
- 200 mcg to 15 mg per day has been used, although daily doses of 800 mcg to 1 mg appear to be most effective.
- In people with end-stage renal disease, high homocysteine levels may be more difficult to treat, and doses of 800 mcg to 40 mg per day have been used. Other dosage plans such as 2.5-5 mg three times weekly have also been used. Doses higher than 15 mg daily do not seem to be more effective than lower doses.
- For improving the response to medications for depression: 200-500 mcg daily has been used.
- For a skin disorder that causes white patches to develop on the skin (vitiligo): 5 mg is typically taken twice daily.
- For reduction of toxicity caused by the drug methotrexate: 1 mg per day is probably enough, but up to 5 mg per day may be used.
- For preventing an eye disease that leads to vision loss in older adults (age-related macular degeneration or AMD): 2.5 mg of folic acid, 1 mg of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), and 50 mg of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) per day have been used.
- For a decline in memory and thinking skills in older people that is more than what is normal for their age. 400 mcg of folic acid per day or 800 mcg of folic acid with 20 mg of vitamin B6 and 500 mcg of vitamin B12 per day have been used for up to 2 years. A higher folic acid dose of 15 mg has also been used, but only for up to 60 days.
- For preventing stroke. 500 mcg to 40 mg of folic acid per day have been used. The greatest benefit seems to occur with folic acid doses of 800 mcg per day or lower.
APPLIED TO THE SKIN:
- For gum disease in women who are pregnant: A mouthwash containing folic acid has been used twice daily for one minute.
GIVEN BY NEEDLE:
- For homocysteine lowering in people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD): 10 mg post-hemodialysis three times per week has been given in the vein.
CHILDREN
BY MOUTH:
- General: The daily adequate intakes (AI) for infants are 65 mcg DFE for infants 0-6 months of age and 80 mcg DFE for infants 7-12 months of age (6243). The recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for folate in children are 150 mcg for children 1-3 years of age, 200 mcg DFE for children 4-8 years of age, 300 mcg DFE for children 9-13 years of age, and 400 mcg DFE for adolescents 14-18 years of age. For pregnant girls, the RDA is 600 mcg DFE. For lactating girls the RDA is 500 mcg DFE (6243).
- For gum enlargement caused by the drug phenytoin (6-15 years): Folic acid 500 mcg daily has been used. *
