The Myth of Heart-Protective B Vitamins

Retrospective observational studies and meta-analyses have suggested that lowering plasma homocysteine levels could lower cardiovascular risk; however, women have been underrepresented in past studies. In the Women’s Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study (WAFACS), investigators followed 5442 women with cardiovascular disease (CVD) or with three or more CVD risk factors who were randomized to a daily combination pill that contained either placebo or folic acid (2.5 mg), vitamin B₆ (50 mg), and vitamin B₁₂ (1 mg) and then followed for CVD events. Folic acid supplementation of the U.S. grain supply began after the study’s initiation; multivitamins that contained B vitamins at or below the recommended daily allowance (RDA) were allowe…