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Foliumzuur verbetert aders.*
Uit eerdere studies was al bekend dat foliumzuur homocysteïne waardes doet verlagen en arteriosclerose tegengaat. Nu blijkt ook na langere tijd dat dit juist is.
People who take folic acid may increase the chances that arteries will respond to the body's call for more oxygen-rich blood, a step that could reduce the risk for heart attack and stroke, according to the results of a small study. Folic acid, also known as folate, is a B vitamin. Previous research has shown that folic acid helps reduce levels of homocysteine, an amino acid associated with increased risk of stroke and heart disease. While past studies have shown folate's ability to lower homocysteine levels over 8 weeks, lead author Dr. Kam S. Woo of Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong and colleagues wondered if the same effects would be seen over the course of a year. To investigate, they gave 29 healthy men and women with high homocysteine levels a relatively high dose of folic acid daily for a year, and then measured their levels of folic acid and homocysteine, as well as their blood vessel function. Folic acid supplements reduced homocysteine levels by 12% and increased folic acid levels by 69%, the researchers found. Also, function of the thin layer of cells that line the arteries--and allow these blood vessels to expand as needed--was improved, the authors report in the May issue of The American Journal of Medicine. Blood vessels need to be able to expand and supply blood to oxygen-starved tissue--such as heart muscle-on demand. What's more, because high levels of homocysteine may increase the risk of atherosclerosis, or artery clogging, the study suggests that folic acid may help keep arteries clear. "These results demonstrate that long-term folic acid improves (artery function) and has potential implications for the prevention of atherosclerosis in adults with (high levels of homocysteine)," Woo's team concludes. Fruit and vegetables contain folic acid. The US government recently mandated that food manufacturers fortify grain products with folic acid, adding 140 micrograms to every 100 grams of flour, rice, pasta and cornmeal. SOURCE: The American Journal of Medicine 2002;112:535-539. (mei 2002)