Is Folic Acid Good For The Heart?

Folate is one of the B-complex vitamins. It comes in many forms, with the most common and stable being folic acid. Folic acid is rarely found in natural food forms but is used in supplements and fortified foods.

Functions of Folate

All B-complex vitamins function to convert food into energy, fat and protein metabolism and for proper development and functioning of the nervous system. Folate specifically is essential for production of the body's genetic material --- DNA and RNA --- and works with vitamin B-12 to regulate the formation of red blood cells.

Folate and Homosysteine

Folic acid works with vitamins B-6 and B-12 to control the levels of homocysteine in the body. Homocysteine is an amino acid in the blood. Large quantities of homocysteine are believed to promote atherosclerosis by damaging the lining of blood vessels, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, blood clots, and stroke. Since homocysteine levels are elevated in individuals with heart disease, and B-6 helps control homocysteine levels, the theory is that increasing folic acid reduces the risk of heart disease.

Research Results

Homocysteine levels are influenced by diet and genetics. Higher levels of the B-complex vitamins are related to lower levels of homocysteine. In addition, low levels of folic acid are linked to coronary disease and stroke. The Harvard School of Public Health states that research studies have failed to prove that the B vitamins lower homocysteine levels and the risk of heart disease. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, individuals with high levels of homocysteine are 1.7 times more likely to develop coronary disease and 2.5 times more likely to have a stroke than those with normal levels. Yet the research does not confirm that elevated homocysteine levels actually cause heart disease. No controlled treatment study has shown that folic acid supplementation reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.

RDA and Considerations

The RDA for folic acid in healthy adults ages 14 and older is 400 micrograms per day. Most healthy individuals can obtain adequate amounts of folate and folic acid through the diet and do not require supplementation. The research shows a link between folic acid, homocysteine and heart disease, but there is no concrete evidence that folic acid decreases the risk of heart disease. Consult your physician prior to beginning a folic acid supplementation.