Folic acid doesn't help heart

Folic acid supplements may not slow plaque buildup in the arteries of healthy older adults.

In recent years, a number of studies have been set up to test whether vitamin B complex can help protect older adults from heart problems and strokes. The hope was based on the fact that vitamin B complex particularly folic acid, curb levels of a blood protein called homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine have been linked to higher risk of clogged arteries, heart attack and stroke.

But clinical trials of people with established atherosclerosis - a narrowing and hardening of the arteries that can lead to heart attacks and strokes - have failed to find a benefit of supplements containing vitamin B complex.

To look at whether folic acid might stave off atherosclerosis in older adults who had high homocysteine levels but were apparently free of cardiovascular disease, researchers randomly assigned 819 adults between the ages of 50 and 70 years to take either folic acid or placebo pills every day for 3 years. Those on folic acid took 800 micrograms per day - double what is generally recommended for adults.

No difference was found between the two groups when it came to the rate of thickening in the carotid artery wall - measured non-invasively with ultrasound. Nor was there any difference in arterial stiffness, which was also measured non-invasively.

Over 3 years, daily folic acid cut the participants' homocysteine levels by an average of 26 percent, but it showed no effect on the thickness of the inner wall of the carotid artery, or on the "stiffness" of the arteries - which are both considered markers of atherosclerosis.

The findings suggest that folic acid is not effective in slowing down early stages of cardiovascular disease.