Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) show that heart diseases account for more than one-quarter of the deaths in the United States, two-thirds of which are due to coronary heart disease. Poor diet is an important risk factor for coronary heart disease. Folate, B-6 and B-12 are B vitamins that help the body produce energy and maintain growth and nerve function. These vitamins are thought to influence the risk of coronary heart disease.
Homocysteine Effects
Homocysteine is an amino acid naturally present in the blood. High level of homocysteine is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that the risk of coronary heart disease is 1.7 times higher in people with elevated homocysteine compared with those who have normal levels. High levels of homocysteine may damage the blood vessels and increase the risk of blood clotting, both of which can lead to the development of coronary heart disease.
Folate, B-6, B-12 and Homocysteine
Folate, B-6 and B-12 collaborate in the pathways that regulate the level of homocysteine in the blood. Without adequate levels of these vitamins, blood levels of homocysteine rise. Supplementation with folate, B-6 or B-12 effectively lowers the level of homocysteine in the blood, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. For example, the decrease in the level of homocysteine in middle-aged and older adults in the U.S. is attributed to the fortification of grain products with folic acid, the supplemental form of folate.
Research Results
Low dietary levels of folate and B-6 are associated with higher risk of coronary heart disease, notes by the University of Maryland Medical Center. In a study of 23,119 men and 35,611 women between the ages of 40 to 79 in Japan, lower dietary intake of folate and B-6 was associated with higher mortality from heart failure in men and higher mortality from coronary heart disease in women. No association was observed between B-6 intake and heart disease mortality. This study was published in the April 2010 issue of "Stroke."
Sources
The American Heart Association recommends obtaining adequate folate, B-6 and B-12 through healthful diet. Although evidence supports the lowering of homocysteine levels by supplementation with these B vitamins, it is not yet known whether these supplements lead to lower coronary heart disease risk. Nevertheless, the University of Maryland Medical Center states that supplements may be necessary if you have high homocysteine level as well as heart disease or a family history of premature heart disease that occurs at a young age.
References
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Heart Disease Fact Sheet; December 2010
- The Office of Dietary Supplements; Vitamin B6; August 2007
- The Office of Dietary Supplements; Folate; April 2009
- The Office of Dietary Supplements; Vitamin B12; May 2010
- The University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin B6; June 2009
- The University of Maryland Medical Center; Folate; May 2009
