Folic acid

Small increments in nutrient intake have dose-dependent effect on homocysteine reduction, Australian researchers report at American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session in Orlando, Fla. March 18-21. Bruce Neal, et al., Institute for International Health, Sydney, studied effects of .2 mg and 2 mg doses of folic acid on plasma homocysteine in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of 723 individuals with history of MI or unstable angina. "Compared to placebo, 2 mg folic acid reduced homocysteine by 1.7 mmol/L and .2 mg reduced homocysteine by 1.2 mmol/L," Neal et al. report, noting effects of both doses "were significantly greater among those with higher homocysteine levels or lower red blood cell folate levels at entry"