Vitamin B Offers No Benefit for Stroke Patients: Study

Vitamin B, while harmless, does not help prevent a repeat occurrence of strokes or heart attacks, according to a study released Wednesday.

The findings, based on first-ever clinical trials, suggest that vitamin B supplements should no longer be recommended for patients who have suffered severe vascular events, the researchers said.

About Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 is also known as cobalamine or cyanocobalamine, owing to the presence of the metal, cobalt. Cyanocobalamine is used in most supplements because it is readily converted to active forms of vitamin B-12 in the body.

Previous research has shown a link between an increase of amino acid in the blood -- a condition known as homocysteine -- and a higher risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease.

At the same time, other studies have shown that a daily dose of B vitamins can reduce abnormal amino acid levels.

What remained unknown was whether the supplements would also help cut the risk of repeat heart attacks or strokes, fatal or non-fatal.

Animation of heart attack symptoms
Heart attack can cause symptoms such as Chest pain or discomfort, Shortness of breath and pain in neck, back, arm, or shoulder and is due to blockage of blood supply to the heart muscles

To find out, an international consortium of doctors and scientists in 20 countries conducted a clinical trial with more than 8,000 patients who had recently had a serious heart or vascular problem.

Half the participants were given a daily dose of B vitamins -- a mix of folic acid, B6 and B12 -- while the other half swallowed lookalike placebos.

Top 10 Facts on Stroke
Strokes occur when the blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off. It is imperative to detect the signs of a stroke and rush the patient to the hospital at once. Here are some interesting facts on stroke.

During a follow-up period that averaged 3.4 years, there was no statistically significant difference in the outcome: 15 percent of the vitamin B group experienced a major vascular event, compared to 17 percent for the control group.

At the same time, the vitamins did not cause any unwanted side effects.

The results were published in the British medical journal The Lancet.

Source-AFP