What is folinic acid?
A quick overview of this folate (vitamin B9) form
Folinic acid (also called leucovorin) is an active form of folate. Unlike folic acid, it does not require the same enzymatic conversion to become biologically useful, which can make it helpful in specific clinical situations.
It’s used alongside certain medications, to rescue healthy cells after chemotherapy, and is being studied for neurological and metabolic conditions where folate pathways are involved.
How it differs from folic acid
- Already in a reduced, active folate form
- Bypasses some metabolic steps required by folic acid
- Used therapeutically in targeted scenarios