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Folic acid may protect against stroke
Past research has shown that stroke patients often have significantly elevated homocysteine levels compared to age matched controls. It has been suggested that reduced blood folate concentrations in these patients might be a possible cause of the observed hyperhomocysteinemia. Moreover, in a recently published study, Swedish researchers have found that folate may offer additional protection against stroke by working independently of homocysteine levels.
In a prospective nested case-referent study, Dr Bethany Van Guelpen and colleagues examined blood and dietary levels of folate and vitamin B12 in 62 haemorrhagic and 334 ischaemic stroke cases and matched double referents from the population-based Northern Sweden Health and Disease Cohort.They found the blood levels of folate to be inversely associated with the risk of haemorrhagic stroke, even after accounting for homocysteine levels and other risk factors, such as hypertension.
Surprisingly, they found no association with the risk of ischaemic stroke and folate. However, the researchers pointed out that food in Sweden is not fortified with folate and intake of fruit and vegetables is relatively low, so folate levels might not have been high enough to show a protective effect against ischaemic stroke. No association between blood levels of vitamin B12 was found in either stroke subtype.
Sources:
Van Guelpen B, Hultdin J, Johanson I, et al. Folate, vitamin B12, and risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke: a prospective, nested case-referent study of plasma concentrations and dietary intake. Stroke. 2005 Jul;36(7):1426-31.
Folate may protect against stroke independently of homocysteine levels. Nutraingredients.com, 22 July 2005. |
