Efficacy of folic acid supplementation in stroke and coronary artery prevention

Folic acid and folate (the anion form) are forms of the water-soluble Vitamin B9. These occur naturally in food and can also be taken as supplements. [1]

It is a form of supplementation that most commonly being given to people who suffers from anaemia. It is also a common practice in many countries that folic acid supplementation is given to women intending to become pregnant as it has been shown that folic acid supplementation significantly reduced the risk of getting a neural tube defect baby.

Folic acid can be found in leafy vegetables such as spinach and turnip greens, dried beans and peas, fortified cereal products, sunflower seeds and certain other fruits and vegetables. [1]

Here in this topic, adequate concentration of folic acid, and vitamin B12, may decrease the circulating level of homocysteine. There is evidence that an increased homocysteine level in the circulation is an independent risk factor for heart disease and stroke. [2] The evidence suggests that high levels of homocysteine may damage coronary arteries or make it easier for blood clotting cells called platelets to clump together and form a clot. [3]

XiaobinWang et al. found that folic acid supplementation significantly reduced the risk of stroke by 18%. A greater beneficial effect was seen in those trials with a treatment duration of more than 36 months, which shows a decrease in the concentration of homocysteine of more than 20%. [4]

It is being recommended to be given to population living in areas without grain fortifications. In the modern world, we have seen many people practicing low fibers diet. Thus, folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation is recommended.

References:

[1]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folic_acid
[2]Refsum H, Ueland PM, Nygard O, Vollset SE. "Homocysteine and cardiovascular disease". Annual Review of Medicine 49 (1): 31-62. 1998.
[3]Malinow MR. "Plasma homocyst(e)ine and arterial occlusive diseases: A mini-review". Clinical Chemistry 41 (1): 173-6. 1995.
[4]XiaobinWang, HienhuiQin et al. Efficacy of folic acid supplementation in stroke prevention: a meta-analysis. Lacet 2007; 369: 1876-83 June, 07