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The 2016 RDI for folate is based on the RDA of 400 mcg of dietary folate equivalents (DFE) for men and women (Ref. 1). The term DFE was introduced by the NAM to take into account the differences in bioavailability between the naturally occurring folates in the reduced tetrahydrofolate form that are inherent components of conventional foods, and folic acid, the fully oxidized monoglutamate synthetic form of the vitamin, used to fortify conventional foods and often used as an ingredient in dietary supplements.