Folates

Synonym for pteroylglutamates: compounds with the vitamin activity of folic acid. Naturally occurring in foods — especially green leafy vegetables — as polyglutamates synthesised by plants and intestinal bacteria. Deficiency causes poor growth and nutritional anaemia; adequate intake before conception prevents neural tube defects. Unlike synthetic folic acid, food folates are reduced, one-carbon-substituted polyglutamates vulnerable to oxidative losses during cooking — boiling can destroy half the content of leafy vegetables. Bioavailability is roughly half that of folic acid, which is why dietary folate equivalents weight supplement sources more heavily in intake assessments.