Folate is the natural form of vitamin B9, water-soluble and naturally found in many foods. Folate is one of the B-Vitamins (Vitamin B9) and is needed to make red and whie blood cells in the bone marrow, convert carbohydrates into energy and produce DNA and RNA. It is also added to foods and sold as a supplement in the form of folic acid; this form is actually better absorbed than that from food sources—85% vs. 50%, respectively. Folate helps to form DNA and RNA and is involved in protein metabolism. It plays a key role in breaking down homocysteine, an amino acid that can exert harmful effects in the body if it is present in high amounts.