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Folic acid protects the heart

KUOPIO, FINLAND. Considerable controversy still surrounds the question as to whether a high homocysteine level is a risk factor for heart disease. Several studies have concluded that it is, while others have found no association. Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid synthesized from methionine, an essential amino acid found mainly in red meat. Homocysteine requires folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 as cofactors during its metabolism and a deficiency of any of these vitamins can lead to high homocysteine levels. Conversely, homocysteine levels can be effectively lowered by supplementing with folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12.

Finnish researchers have just completed an 8-year study involving 1027 men between the ages of 46 to 64 years and free of cardiovascular disease at enrollment in 1991-1993. The study was designed to determine the effect of homocysteine and folate levels on the incidence of acute cardiac events (heart attack or stroke). During the 7.7-year study period, 61 men experienced an acute cardiac event. Analysis of blood levels of homocysteine and folic acid showed no correlation between the incidence of acute cardiac events and homocysteine levels, but did reveal a highly significant 61% risk reduction among men with a folate level exceeding 11.3 nmol/L as compared to men with a level below 8.4 nmol/L. The researchers conclude that further trials are needed to determine whether the use of vitamin supplementation to reduce homocysteine concentrations prevents heart disease or whether high homocysteine levels and low folate levels are simply markers of an unhealthy lifestyle that increase the risk of heart disease.
Voutilainen, S, et al. Serum folate and homocysteine and the incidence of acute coronary events: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart disease Risk Factor Study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 80, August 2004, pp. 317-23

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