Folate can prevent heart disease
7.0Moderate
evidence
evidence
The Claim
There is a belief that folate supplementation can reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering homocysteine levels, an amino acid linked to cardiovascular issues.
Origin
This idea gained popularity from early studies and media reports that suggested a connection between homocysteine and heart disease risk.
What Science Says
Meta-analyses of RCTs and observational studies indicate that while folate can lower homocysteine levels, this does not consistently translate into reduced cardiovascular events. The relationship between homocysteine and heart disease is more complex than previously thought.
Verdict
Misleading
Sources
- PMID:22363213 Homocysteine and coronary heart disease: meta-analysis of MTHFR case-control studies, avoiding publication bias.
- PMID:16216822 Meta-analysis of MTHFR 677C->T polymorphism and coronary heart disease: does totality of evidence support causal role for homocysteine and preventive potential of folate?
- PMID:41615824 Combined B-vitamin supplementation on homocysteine and vascular outcomes in coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis.