Folic Acid Reduces Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke

27/11/06 If you take folic acid supplements you could be reducing your chances of developing heart disease or stroke, say researchers from the Wolfson Institute for Preventive Medicine, and the Barts & The London Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, UK.

The researchers looked at earlier studies and found that folic acid reduces levels of homocysteine, which lowers a person's chances of developing heart disease. Homocysteine is an amino acid in the blood. Studies have shown that too much homocysteine in the blood is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and preripheral vascular disease.

Dr Wald, team leader, from the Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, said "Folic acid is a much undervalued vitamin. Not only does it prevent the serious birth defect spina bifida, but the evidence that it can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke is becoming increasingly persuasive".

The team also looked at studies of patients with a genetic mutation which affects about 10% of people. These people have higher than normal levels of homocysteine. They wanted to find out whether folic acid consumption altered their levels of homocysteine. They found that the consumption of folic acid brought their levels of homocysteine down to normal.

Dr. Wald said that all the evidence they looked through, put together, is compelling - that folic acid does reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes.

Rich Dietary Sources of Folic Acid

-- Dark green, leafy vegetables
-- Fortified breakfast cereals, enriched grain products
-- Liver, other organ meats
-- Lightly cooked beans, peas (too much cooking will destroy the folate content)
-- Nuts, seeds
-- Oranges, grapefruits
-- Sprouts
-- Poultry
-- Whole wheat bread