Folic Acid and Vit. B. study

[Bionic Valve Tim]

Unless I missed it, nobody has posted about this.

The ticker on the news channel last night mentioned a study linking the use of Folic Acid and Vitamin B supplements to increased risk of heart attacks and/or stroke, but I didn't catch any details.

Anybody have more information on this study?

I was prescribed folic acid and several b vitamins after a post-op bout of anemia, and though I no longer take either, I thought the results of the study may be important for members who have problems with hemolysis...

Tim

 

[Marguerite53]

Wonderful!

Wonderful!

Well, that's not good for me. I take B vits with Folic acid every day for the last 10 years or so. Helps keep my migraines away, and most colds. Hm. Have to watch that. Thanks for the mention.

Here's what google came up with......

Sep 6, 2005 10:19 am US/Central

Supplements May Not Ward Off Heart Attacks
Study: Folic Acid, Vitamin B Combination Could Be Harmful

(CBS) A new study is changing doctors? opinions about certain supplements and their effects on the heart.

Scientists now say folic acid and Vitamin B do not ward off heart attacks and may even be harmful when combined.

In the latest study, doctors found that there was no benefit for people taking either Vitamin B or folic acid.

Also, people who took both of those had a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.

(© MMV, CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Marguerite

 

[Marguerite53]

from Reuters

from Reuters

B vitamins no help in stopping heart attacks-study
05 Sep 2005 12:43:21 GMT

Source: Reuters

STOCKHOLM, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Giving B vitamins to heart attack survivors does not cut their risk of having another attack and may actually do more harm than good, researchers said on Monday.

The finding confounds supporters of vitamins, including some doctors, who have argued that folic acid and vitamin B-6 can prevent heart disease by reducing levels of a substance called homocysteine in the blood.

A study of more than 3,700 patients presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress showed high doses of B vitamins could be bad news.

Those who took folic acid or vitamin B-6 alone had a small and statistically insignificant increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease, but those who took both saw their risk jump by 20 percent.

Professor Kaare Harald Bonaa of the University of Tromso, Norway, said the 3-year trial showed vitamins did reduce homocysteine levels, by around 30 percent, but this did not translate into lowered heart risk.

"The homocysteine hypothesis is dead," he told reporters.

Homocysteine, an amino acid, is produced when the body metabolises high-protein foods. Scientists think that high concentrations could damage blood-vessel walls.

"The results of the trial are important because they tell doctors that prescribing high doses of B vitamins will not prevent heart disease or stroke. B vitamins should be prescribed only to patients who have B vitamin deficiency," Bonaa said.

 

[Missy]

My doctor had me take a B supplement also. Not a multiple just B. People on Coumadin very often do not get all the B vitamin needed in the body as we are limited on intake. We usually have set eating pattern.

Now I am in a quandary about what to do.

Will they change the multiple vitamins???? I would love to hear what happens on that. If anyone hears would you let me know please?

 

[hensylee]

this is interesting. Took brother to a new neurologist a few weeks ago. he ordered a creatinine (I think - or part of one) test. Today I took bro for that test and it listed Vit B and Folic acid as part of the test. I don't know what it's for, tho. If I ever find out, I will put it here.

 

[samiam]

My local newspaper (such as it is) had another paragraph saying that there are 3 more large studies going on with the same topic. There should be answers in 18 months.

But think about this: How many times have we heard that one study proves one thing, and a subsequent study proves the opposite? I have a subscription to Consumers Reports On Health newletter that looks at these various studies and tries to come up with reasonable courses of action, or non-action.

Didn't we just have a study that said Vitamin E is no good? Before that we had a study that said it was. ARGHHH.

It's enough to drive ya crazy!!!

 

[barbwil]

anemia

anemia

Since my mitral valve repair and Maze procedure I've developed anemia and am now taking ferrous sulfate; my doctor stressed that I keep taking my folic acid with it. Apparently it helps the body process the iron.

As was already mentioned, wait a few months and the results of another test will contradict this one. What's a body to do??