Originally published October 4 2005
Vitamin B group grows in popularity as studies discover new health benefits
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Once thought useful only in pregnancy, the group of B vitamins has been put on center stage, especially with the recent boost of folic acid's reputation.
Once pigeon-holed as supplements that seemed to only fulfill requirements in pregnancy, pyridoxine (B-6), cyanocobalamin (B-12), and in particular, folic acid, are now soaring into the medical limelight.
Several studies, such as one published recently in The Journal of the American Medical Association, demonstrated that a six-month regimen of folic acid 1mg, B-12, 400 mcg, and B-6, 10 mg, reduced restenosis or the recurrence of blocked arteries in patients who had undergone coronary angioplasty by 48 percent compared to patients who received placebo.
High levels of the essential amino acid, homocysteine, is increasingly being viewed as a likely trigger for heart attacks and strokes, much like high levels of cholesterol are considered atherogenic.
Homocysteine is believed to combine with LDL cholesterol, causing an inflammatory attack against the inner lining of the arteries, stimulating growth of cells that can block arteries.
Victims of the rare genetic disorder known as homocystinuria usually die by age 20 from heart attack or stroke, which suggests a cause and effect relationship.
Though it appears that these B vitamins offer marked benefits by reducing blood levels of the amino acid, after decades of research, the link between homocysteine and heart disease is somewhat elusive.
Supplements containing at least 400 mcg of folic acid, such as Stress Tabs, are recommended as well as fortified breakfast cereals such as Product 19 and Total.
It should be considered for patients at high risk for stroke and heart attack, including patients taking medications that interfere with folate utilization such as anti-convulsants, metformin, sulfasalazine, triamterene, methotrexate and niacin.
Dr. Michael Pi��n is a doctor of pharmacy, specializing in primary care pharmacotherapy and is the president of the El Paso Area Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists.
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