Folate levels and neural tube defects: implications for prevention
Article Abstract:
The incidence of neural tube defects could be reduced significantly by fortifying food with folic acid through a population approach. Researchers found that a large sample of Irish women who gave birth to babies with neural tube defects had much lower levels of plasma and red cell folate at 15 weeks' gestation. Among pregnant women whose red cell folate levels were less than 340 nmol/L, the risk of having a baby with neural tube defects was eight times greater than among women who with levels of 906 nmol/L or higher. A strategy that would increase red cell folate levels for women before pregnancy appears to be the optimum approach. With a population intake of 0.4 mg per day of folic acid, a reduction of 48% in the rate of neural tube defects is estimated to be possible.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1995
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Plasma homocysteine as a risk factor for vascular disease: the European Concerted Action Project
Article Abstract:
Elevated blood homocysteine levels appear to be a risk factor for atherosclerosis. A study of 750 people with atherosclerosis and 800 without found that those with the highest blood homocysteine levels had twice the risk of atherosclerosis compared to those with lower levels. This risk was independent of other risks but also seemed to magnify other risks such as smoking and hypertension. Those who took vitamins had lower homocysteine levels and a lower risk of atherosclerosis, but this group was relatively small. Several B vitamins are involved in the metabolism of homocysteine.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1997
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Serum folate and risk of fatal coronary heart disease
Article Abstract:
Low blood levels of the B vitamin folate appear to be associated with higher mortality rates from coronary heart disease. This conclusion was drawn from a 15-year study of 5,056 Canadian men and women. Those with the lowest blood folate levels were almost 70% more likely to die from coronary heart disease than those with the highest blood levels. Smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol also raised the risk of dying from heart disease. Folate converts a chemical called homocysteine, which has been linked to heart disease when blood levels are elevated.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1996
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