Folic Acid Supplementation and Cardiovascular Outcomes
Author Information
Author(s): Zhou Yu-Hao, Tang Jian-Yuan, Wu Mei-Jing, Lu Jian, Wei Xin, Qin Ying-Yi, Wang Chao, Xu Jin-Fang, He Jia
Primary Institution: Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
Hypothesis
What is the effect of folic acid supplementation on cardiovascular events?
Conclusion
Folic acid supplementation does not affect the incidence of major cardiovascular events, stroke, myocardial infarction, or all-cause mortality.
Supporting Evidence
- Folic acid supplementation had no effect on major cardiovascular events.
- Folic acid did not significantly reduce the risk of stroke.
- Folic acid therapy showed no effect on myocardial infarction rates.
- Folic acid did not lower all-cause mortality.
- High doses of folic acid may increase cancer risk.
Takeaway
Taking folic acid doesn't help prevent heart problems or strokes, even though it lowers a certain blood chemical.
Methodology
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials assessing the effects of folic acid on cardiovascular events.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on published data and the exclusion of smaller trials.
Limitations
The extent of homocysteine lowering was unclear, and subgroup analyses had small sample sizes.
Participant Demographics
Included 44841 individuals from 16 trials with varying ages and pre-existing conditions.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.98
Confidence Interval
0.93–1.04
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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