B Vitamins and ω-3 Fatty Acids for Preventing Cardiovascular Disease

Despite the theoretical benefits of lowering homocysteine levels through vitamin B supplementation, randomized trials have failed to show that vitamin B therapy prevents cardiovascular events. In addition, trials of ω-3 fatty acid supplementation have yielded conflicting results. This double-blind placebo-controlled French trial involved 2501 patients with myocardial infarction (MI), unstable angina, or stroke within the past 12 months. Patients were randomized to receive B vitamins, ω-3 fatty acids, both, or neither. The B vitamins were 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (560 µg), B₆ (3 mg), and B₁₂ (20 µg), and the ω-3 fatty acids were eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid at a ratio of 2:1 (600 mg).

During median follow-up of 4.7 years, vi…