3 B Vitamins Helped Keep Arteries Open (B-6, B-12, Folate)
3/4/2005
In 205 patients undergoing coronary angioplasty* subjects received 1 mg of folic acid, 400 mcg of vitamin B-12, and 10 mg of vitamin B-6. There was a 33% reduction in homocysteine vs. 14% in placebo, and at 6 months the rate of restenosis** was twice as high in the placebo group as in the treatment group. At 1 year, despite the discontinuation of vitamin therapy for 6 months, the benefit was still maintained.
* Coronary angioplasty: Procedure to open arteries in and around the heart, which have narrowed & impede blood flow.
** Restenosis: Narrowing of artery again.
Ambrosi P, Nutr. Metab. Cardiovasc. Dis., 2003;13:391-397/Schnyder G, Roffi M, et al, JAMA, 2002;288:973-979.