Absorption of Folic Acid from Different Delivery Forms: A Randomized, Crossover Study

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Folate, or folic acid, is a water-soluble B vitamin that plays a role in single carbon transfer reactions, which are involved in the synthesis and metabolism of nucleotides and amino acids. It has been established that adequate folic acid intake helps decrease the prevalence of neural tube defects during conception and early pregnancy. The objective of this study was to assess the bioavailability of folic acid from Prenatal Multi Gummies and Folic Acid tablets in women of childbearing age. Methods Eleven healthy, adult, premenopausal women of childbearing age (18–44 years) were recruited for a single-blind, randomized, crossover study. Each participant was randomly assigned to receive a single dose (2 gummies or 2 tablets) of Prenatal Multi Gummies or Folic Acid tablets (containing ∼800 µg folic acid) and then crossed over to receive the other study product after a wash-out period of ∼7 days. The study product was consumed along with a low folic acid breakfast meal. Blood samples were collected for the analysis of serum folate at t = −0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours where t = 0 is the time of study product consumption. Results The mean serum folate total area under the curve (AUC0–8 hours) was 239.67 ± 24.50 h × ng/mL for the Prenatal Multi Gummies and 255.23 ± 30.17 h × ng/mL for the Folic Acid tablets. For both study products, the dose-adjusted net incremental AUC was significantly greater than 0 h × ng/mL (P ≤ 0.001). The maximum serum folate concentration (Cmax) was 47.69 ± 5.65 ng/mL for the Prenatal Multi Gummies and 52.45 ± 5.86 ng/mL for the Folic Acid tablets, and the median time to maximum serum concentration (Tmax) was 1.00 h for each product (interquartile limits for both included 1.00 to 1.08 hours). Conclusions In conclusion, folic acid contained in the Prenatal Multi Gummies and Folic Acid tablets was absorbed from both the Prenatal Multi Gummies and the Folic Acid tablets. Funding Sources This study was funded by Pharmavite LLC.