Folic Acid Fails to Prevent Heart Disease
Cardiovascular disorders continue to have a high morbidity and mortality in North America. Even though doctors advocate exercise, discontinuation of smoking, and better control of blood pressure and blood sugars, the majority of patients remain non-compliant. Many individuals continue to consume a vast number of health supplements including vitamins to reduce their risk of heart disease.
Many consumers are convinced that eating certain health supplements can prevent illness. One of these supplements that is widely promoted to prevent heart disease is folic acid. Fortification of foods with folic acid was started nearly 15 years ago to reduce neural tube defects. This is now a universal policy all over the world.
There are many health professionals who recommend that patients consume folic acid as a preventive aid against atherosclerosis. Now there is a study from Holland which is a big blow to the proponents of folic acid. This large clinical trial failed to show any benefit of folic acid in reduction of cardiac disease.
The study concluded that despite a considerable increase in folate concentrations and a reduction in total homocysteine concentrations, 3-y folic acid supplementation did not slow down atherosclerotic progression or arterial stiffening.
The study looked at whether folic acid supplements could help prevent atherosclerotic plaques in elderly individuals who had high homocysteine levels but had not yet developed atherosclerosis. After daily consumptions of folic acid (800 mcg/day) for more than 3 years, there was no difference in atherosclerotic plaques between individuals who took the supplement and those who did not.
These novel findings indicate that folic acid does not prevent slowing down of atherosclerotic plaques. To ensure that there were no problems with under dosing, individuals in the trials were given twice the recommended daily dose of folic acid (800mcg/day).
For the consumer, it is important to understand that folic acid is essential to the diet and if you follow the instructions on the label, there should be no harm in taking supplements.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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