A quantitative assessment of plasma homocysteine as a risk factor for vascular disease: probable benefits of increasing folic acid intakes
Article Abstract:
Higher intakes of dietary folic acid may help in reducing rates of coronary artery disease by preventing elevated total homocysteine (tHcy) levels in the blood. Researchs suggest that an increase in tHcy level is a risk factor for coronary artery disease, and that as much as 10% of the risk of coronary artery disease is caused by tHcy. Other vascular diseases also appear to be related to high tHcy levels. Folic acid has been shown to reduce tHcy levels. Assumptions about increases in folic acid intake through either dietary changes, the use of folic acid supplements or the fortification of food with folic acid suggest that the reduction of tHcy levels achieved could reduce the number of deaths from coronary artery disease. The food fortification approach could save the lives of as many as 30,000 men and 19,000 women annually from coronary artery disease.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1995
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Hormone therapy and the brain: deja vu all over again?
Article Abstract:
Hormone replacement therapy may be just as damaging to the brain as it is to the heart. Three reports from the Women's Health Initiative study published in 2003 show that hormone replacement therapy may increase the risk of stroke and dementia. Hormone replacement therapy should only be used temporarily to treat the symptoms of menopause, not to prevent heart disease, osteoporosis, or Alzheimer's disease.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2003
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Effects of estrogen plus progestin on gynecologic cancers and associated diagnostic procedures: the Women's Health Initiative randomized trial
Article Abstract:
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may increase a postmenopausal woman's risk of ovarian cancer, according to a study of 16,608 women. The risk of ovarian cancer was 60% higher in the women who took HRT compared to the women who did not. There was no increase in the risk of endometrial or uterine cancer but women who took HRT had more endometrial biopsies to investigate uterine bleeding.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2003
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