A new review over the benefits of folic acid for heart health was published this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The researchers concluded that based on 12 studies conducted since 2002 there is no added benefit of folic acid for prevention of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and/or stroke.
This review is completely opposite a review from last month published by British researchers that found a 10-20 percent reduction in heart attack and stroke when folic acid was used to lower homocysteine levels.
Homocysteine is an amino acid that can build up in the blood and cause damage to blood vessels. Elevated homocysteine is an independant risk factor for heart attack and stroke, therefore it would seem reasonable to believe that lowering homocysteine lowers risk.
But this most recent review from New Orleans, LA found no such effect. They looked at persons who had been taking folic acid for more than six months and compared them to persons who did not take folic acid. There was no overall difference in risk for cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke.
The reviewers did note that taking folic acid did not cause any harmful effects or change mortality.
They suggested that instead of taking folic acid to lower risk, individuals should instill healthy lifestyle factors/habits that help lower risk, such as exercise and a healthy diet.
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on December 13, 2006 04:55 PM
