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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study finds women who take folic acid and B vitamins do not reduce their overall risk for a heart attack. The study reports the women's homocysteine levels were reduced, but that did not equate to a health benefit.
Homocysteine is an amino acid produced by the body. It has been shown that these levels are associated with cardiovascular risk. Previous research has shown that folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 or a combination reduces homocysteine levels. Some studies have shown the benefits are greater in women. Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School conducted a study to see if lowering homocysteine levels by supplementation means a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease in high-risk women.
The researchers used data from an ongoing trial of antioxidant vitamins. Participants included women who had a history of cardiovascular disease and received a combination pill of folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 or a matching placebo. The more than 5,400 women were followed for seven years.
Researchers say during the study time, 15 percent of the women had a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke. They then compared the women on placebo verses the supplementation. They found no significant difference between the two groups. Specifically, 14.9 percent in the treatment group had a cardiovascular problem compared to 14.3 percent on placebo. However, researchers say the average homocysteine level was 18.5 percent lower in the treatment group.
Study authors say, due to the results of this study, they do not support the use of folic acid and B vitamin supplement as preventive interventions for cardiovascular disease.
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SOURCE: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2008;299:2027-2036
