Supplements of folate are prescribed to many symptomatic HIV-positive people due to deficiencies caused by a range of treatment drugs and by malabsorption in the intestine. Folate deficiency is also common in smokers. Serious deficiency can lead to platelet disorders, a decrease in white blood cells and neuropathy.

Good food sources are green leafy vegetables, oranges, beans, liver, rice and brewer's yeast.

Folate is also known as folic acid.