Homocysteine and Heart Attacks

One of the frustrating things about studying heart disease is the lack of consistent data regarding risk factors. In two recent studies presented at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting, lower levels of homocysteine did NOT appear to decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke. These findings contradict the study I presented last week.

Paul Taylor of The Globe and Mail reports:

In both trials, those who took the real vitamins [a daily mix of folic acid, plus B6 and B12] experienced a dramatic reduction in homocysteine levels. However, they were no less likely to die of a heart attack or stroke than those who got placebos.

So what to do? Personally, I’d continue popping a daily multi-vitamin, but lay off excessive doses of any one vitamin.