FOLIC ACID-YOU NEED IT
Scientists from the University of California, San Francisco, gauged the
effectiveness of folic acid by combining the results of recent clinical
trials with a national analysis of homocysteine levels among US men and
women.
Previous studies had shown that people with elevated homocysteine levels
have a higher risk of stroke, heart attack and death from heart disease
than those with normal levels. The clinical trials found that the
consumption of folic acid supplements could lower homocysteine levels by
25 per cent.
Principal investigator Dr Jeffrey Tice said folic acid showed strong
potential as a treatment for heart disease. "The evidence for the
beneficial effects of vitamins folic acid is much stronger than for
garlic, vitamin E and other dietary supplements promoted for heart
disease prevention," Dr Tice said. The UCSF scientists noted that
homocysteine levels in the US population had fallen since the Food and
Drug Administration decided in 1998 that all enriched grain products
such as flour and pasta should contain folic acid.
They estimated that heart disease rates would decrease by 13 per cent in
men and 8 per cent in women over the next 10 years if Americans aged 35
to 84 continued to have a daily dose of folic-enriched grains. There
would be 310,000 fewer heart disease-related deaths over a 10-year
period if people with elevated homocysteine levels took a daily folic
acid in addition to eating folic-enriched grains, they said.
The researchers said daily folic acid supplements would be a cost-
effective way for men older than 45 and women older than 55 to look
after their health and prevent heart disease.
Senior study author Dr Lee Goldman said, "For most people, especially
those with heart disease, taking a folic acid is projected not only to
be safe and save lives, but also to save money because it prevents heart
disease and the costs associated with expensive medical treatments and
procedures."
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