The disease of the elite is fast getting everywhere. Atherosclerosis is a big problem and health hazard these days. Finding a solution in this direction is yet another study.
The study states that supplementation of B vitamins can reduce the risk of atherosclerosis (plaque build-up on the blood vessel walls).It is known that vitamin supplementation can lower homocysteine in the blood. The current study was intended to investigate the effect of vitamin supplements on atherosclerosis.
Researchers used carotid-media thickness (IMT) as a marker of atherosclerosis changes. 50 patients in their 50's and 60's with an IMT more than one millimetre participated in the study. In a double blind, randomized trial, participants received 0.5 mg vitamin B12, 2.5 mg folic acid, and 25 mg vitamin B6 or placebo daily for a year.
The researchers found that homocysteine in the participants who received vitamin supplements decreased from 10.50 to 6.56 units, while homocysteine in the untreated group did not change. As for IMT, 5 percent decrease was observed in the treated group and 8 percent increase in the untreated group.
The results also indicated that the effect of vitamin supplements on atherosclerosis was independent of homocysteine concentration.
Source: July 2005 issue of Atherosclerosis.
