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New research: Vitamin B is more important than we used to believe. For some time we have known that vitamin B6, B12 and Folic Acid are important for cardiovascular health. The reason is that these B vitamins reduce homocysteine levels. Elevated homocysteine has been linked to increased risk for cardiovascular disease. So how much do we need to take to get maximum lowering effect of homocysteine? A study published last month in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition researched the amount of folic acid needed to achieve maximal reduction of homocysteine.1 They found that a daily intake of 200 mcg was associated with 60% of maximal effect, 400 mcg were associated with a 90% effect and 800 mcg was typically required to achieve maximal reduction of homocysteine. While a lot of people may know about the cardio protective effects of B vitamins what is not so well known is that certain B vitamins are important for memory. When 321 men were followed for 3 years the researchers found that vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid were significantly associated with plasma homocysteine levels.2 They also found and concluded that low B vitamin levels and high homocysteine concentrations predicted cognitive decline. Another very resent study examined the association of elevated homocysteine levels, low levels of folate and dementia and Alzheimer disease.3 The investigators stated that elevated homocysteine concentrations and low folate concentrations are independent predictors of the development of dementia and Alzheimer disease. What also may be a surprise is that homocysteine and vitamin B12 are associated with bone mineral density.4 As you can see there are many reasons why it make sense to take a high quality vitamin B-complex. There is something else to be aware of. Not everybody metabolize folic acid properly. For that reason taking not only regular folic acid but also metabolites of folic acid makes sense. You can now get a B-complex which has all the B vitamins including regular folic acid as well as the metabolites of folic acid L-5-methyl tetrahydrofolate and 5-formyl tetrahydrofolate. L-5-methyl tetrahydrofolate naturally occurs in food and is the only folic acid which can cross the blood - brain barrier. By logging on to www.tissuerecovery.com and click on Supplements you can find our B-Complex and look at the ingredients to see what a high quality B-complex formula should include. Wishing you the best of health, Didrik References:
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