Multivitamin Supplementation Lowers Homocysteine Levels

Clinical Study Title:
Multivitamin/mineral supplementation improves plasma B-vitamin status and homocysteine concentration in healthy older adults consuming a folate-fortified diet

Plain English Summary:

One of the leading risk factors associated with heart disease is an elevated homocysteine level. This research study examined the effect of a multivitamin supplement for older men who were already taking folic acid on their homocysteine level. Participants either received the multivitamin or a placebo for 8 weeks. Those participants taking the placebo had no change in their homocysteine levels, yet the participants who took the multivitamin supplement had significantly lowered homocysteine levels, as well as then a reduced risk in heart disease. The multivitamin supplement used daily is then associated with reduced risk of heart disease associated with high homocysteine levels.

Authors:
McKay DL. Perrone G. Rasmussen H. Dallal G. Blumberg JB.

Institution:
Jean Mayer U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.

Country of Publication:
United States

Source:
Journal of Nutrition. 130(12):3090-6, 2000 Dec.