A Folic Acid-rich Diet May Reduce Your Heart Disease Risk!

In the last two years, there has been some doubt as to whether folic acid, a B vitamin, may actually reduce elevated homocysteine levels, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Folic acid is found in green leafy vegetables, asparagus, peas, and beans. Well, take heart healthy eaters! New studies now show that folic acid -rich foods may indeed benefit the heart.

Reasearchers from the Wolfson Institute for Preventive Medicine, London, reviewed previous clinical studies, which led them to conclude that a decrease in serum homocysteine levels is achievable with a daily folic acid intake with 0.8 milligrams. This decrease can lower the risk of heart attack and stroke by 15 and 24 per cent.

Studies looking at genetic mutations of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, which affects one in ten people, suggests that the gene influences folate metabolism and is associated with increased homocysteine levels, which is causal for the risk of stroke.  The researcher agreed that, “The summary estimate from the trials is consistent with a short term protective effect of 12 per cent on ischaemic heart disease events and 22 per cent on stroke, or a larger long terms effect. “We therefore take the view that the evidence is now sufficient to justify action on lowering homocysteine concentrations, although the position should be reviewed as evidence from on-going trials emerges,” they concluded.

Three of the four reviewers reported an interest in “Polypill”, a cocktail of compounds, including statins, folic acid, aspirin, and three blood pressure lowering drugs marketed as a way of reducing the risk of mortality from heart attack and stroke by 80 per cent.1

References:
1. British Medical Journal, Volume 333, 25 November 2006, Pages 1114-1117