In a second folic acid story today we report that folic acid supplements could help keep the arteries healthy and protect against heart disease, according to researchers in the UK, China and Australia.
Previous research had shown that a lack of folic acid can lead to increased levels of homocysteine, an amino acid which is known to influence the narrowing of the arteries. The international team of researchers discovered that folic acid supplementation could help reduce homocysteine levels and keep arteries clear.
The researchers carried out the study of 29 adults, all of whom had raised levels of homocysteine, even though they were categorised as healthy and free of heart disease.
The volunteers were given a daily dose of 10 milligrams of folic acid for a year. During the study, an ultrasound scan was used to test the function of their arteries. The study found that taking folic acid supplements reduced homocysteine levels by 12 per cent over the course of a year and improved endothelial function.
The researchers claim their findings are the first to indicate that folic acid might benefit arterial function over a long period of time, prompting one US expert to suggest that patients at risk from arterial narrowing should be screened for homocysteine as well as cholesterol, another known cause of the problem.