Health and Nutrition Info
By Didrik J. Sopler, Ph.D, L.Ac.
05-19-06

 

More reasons why B vitamins are so important

Some of the most important benefits of B vitamins have been established quite awhile ago.  The relationship between low levels of especially vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid and elevated levels of the amino acid homocysteine is well documented.

Increased homocysteine is recognized as risk factor for several serious conditions. Testing the homocysteine level can therefore give information about increased risk for these conditions and also give information about the need for vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid.

Already in 1995 it was published a study in the prestigious “The New England Journal of Medicine” on the association between homocysteine levels and extracranial carotid-artery stenosis.¹ The carotid arteries are blood vessels going up to the brain. Stenosis of an artery means the artery is clogged up to a more or less degree depending on the severity of the stenosis.

This is in other words a serious condition, you don’t want to obstruct the blood flow to your brain.

The researchers who published the study mentioned above concluded that high plasma homocysteine concentrations and low concentrations of folic acid and vitamin B6, through their role in homocysteine metabolism, are associated with an increased risk of extracranial carotid-artery stenosis in the elderly.

The relationship between vitamin B intake and heart disease was covered in an earlier news letter.

Association between peripheral arterial disease and low levels of folic acids has also been found.

Investigators at Harvard School of Public Health found that men with the highest folate intake had a lower risk for peripheral artery disease when compared to those who ingested lesser amounts.²

Interesting findings also show an association between homocysteine levels, folic acid and how they affect glucose, insulin and lipid metabolism.

The conclusion of a study with healthy postmenopausal women was that folic acid supplementation lowers plasma homocysteine levels and improves insulin and lipid metabolism, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.³ The researchers found that folic acid increased insulin sensitivity improving carbohydrate metabolism.

High levels of homocysteine has even been linked to depression.This was investigated by researchers in Finland on a group of 924 men aged 46-64. The results showed that the men with the highest homocysteine levels had a more than twofold higher risk of being depressed than did those with the lowest levels.&sup4;

To reduce homocysteine levels the B vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid have been shown to be the most effective.That does not mean however that the other B vitamins are not important.

All the B vitamins are important it is therefore recommended to take a good B-complex formula. You will find a high quality B-complex if you log onto www.tissuerecovery.com and click on supplements.

One of the added benefits with this formula is the inclusion of metabolites of folic acid for those who don’t metabolize folic acid properly.

If you have any questions you think we can answer for you e-mail us, or give us a call at 800-883-1252.

Wishing you the best of health,

Didrik

 

References:

  1. 1. Selhub J, Jacques PF, Bostom AG, D’Agostino RB, Wilson PW, et al. Association between plasma homocysteine concentrations and extracranial carotid-artery stenosis. N Engl J Med. 1995 Feb 2;332(5):286-91.
  2. 2. Merchant AT, Hu FB, Spiegelman D, Willett WC, Rimm EB, Ascherio A. The use of B vitamin supplements and peripheral arterial disease risk in men are inversely related. J Nutr. 2003 Sep;133(9):2863-7.
  3. 3. Villa P, Perri C, Suriano R, Cucineeli F, Panunzi S, et al. L-folic acid supplementation in healthy postmenopausal women: effect on homocysteine and glycolipid metabolism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005 Aug;90(8):4622-9.
  4. 4. Tolmunen T, Hintikka J, Voutilainen S, Ruusunen A, et al. Association between depressive symptoms and serum concentrations of homocysteine in men: a population study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Dec;80(6):1574-8.