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Strong Evidence Emerging On Folate For Heart Health

For the first time, a significant inverse association between moderate-to-high folate intakes and incidence of acute coronary events in men has been observed in a prospective cohort study.

This finding adds considerable weight to accumulating evidence for an important role of folate in the promotion of good cardiovascular health.

It may be particularly true for nonsmokers and light users of alcohol.

Although several earlier prospective studies have shown low folate intake and low circulating folate are linked with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), findings have been inconsistent until now.

These researchers studied the associations of dietary intake of folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 with risk of acute coronary events in a cohort study of 1,980 Finnish men.

The men, who were between the ages of 42 years and 60 years, were examined in 1984 to 1989 in the Kuopio (Finland) Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study. Their nutrient intakes were assessed by four-day food record.

During an average follow-up time of 10 years, 199 acute coronary events occurred.

On analysis, and when 21 conventional and nutritional coronary heart disease risk factors were taken into account, men in the highest fifth of folate intake had a relative risk of acute coronary events of 0.45 compared with men in the lowest fifth.

This association was found to be stronger in nonsmokers and light alcohol users than in smokers and alcohol users.

A high dietary intake of vitamin B6 had no significant association, and that of vitamin B12 a weak association with a reduced risk of acute coronary events.

These researchers were from the Research Institute of Public Health, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, and the Inner Savo Health Centre, Suonenjoki, both in Finland.
Circulation. 2001;103:2674.

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