Folic acid, a derivative of folate, can decrease one's risk for a heart attack significantly according to a recent British review. The review examined all past studies that measured the effect of folic acid on blood levels of homocysteine. Homocysteine is an amino acid that can build up in the blood and is an independant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
The authors came to the conclusion that folic acid, in the diet and that taken as a supplement, lowers levels of homocysteine in the blood. Lower levels of homocysteine result in a decreased risk for heart disease by as much as 10-20 percent.
An interesting aspect of the review focused on a unique subset of individuals with a genetic defect that causes higher than normal levels of homocyteine. Folic acid supplementation in these people resulted in lower homocysteine and lower risk.
There are other risk factors for cardiovascular disease that can offset the benefit of folic acid. The most noteable are family history of heart attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, history of smoking cigarettes, and obesity. Each of these risk factors can be reduced using lifestyle measures (with the exception of family history).
Homocysteine damages the inner lining of blood vessels and makes it easier for clots to form which can result in heart attacks and strokes.
For those individuals with higher than normal levels of homocysteine, folic acid is a safe and inexpensive means of reducing risk.
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on December 11, 2006 12:21 PM
