Folates stroke studies

Homocysteine arises from dietary methionine. High levels of homocysteiae (hyperhomocysteinemia) are a risk factor for occlusive vascular diseases including atherosclerosis and thrombosis (81—84). In a controlled study, semm folate concentrations of <9.2 nmol/L were linked with elevated levels of plasma homocysteiae. Elevated homocysteine levels have beea associated also with ischemic stroke (9). The mechanism by which high levels of homocysteine produce vascular damage are, as of yet, aot completely uaderstood. lateractioa of homocysteiae with platelets or eadothehal cells has beea proposed as a possible mechanism. Clinically, homocysteine levels can be lowered by administration of vitamin B, vitamin B 2> foHc acid. 

Bazzano, L.A., He, J., Ogden, L.G., Loria, C., Vupputuri, S., Myers, L., and Whelton, P.K., 2002. Dietary intake of folate and risk of stroke in US men and women NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Stroke. 33 1183-1188. 

Van Guelpen, B., Hultdin, J., Johansson, I., Stegmayr, B., Hallmans, G., Nilsson, T.K., Weinehall, L., Witthoft, C., Palmqvist, R., and Winkvist, A., 2005. Folate, vitamin B12, and risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke a prospective, nested case-referent study of plasma concentrations and dietary intake. Stroke. 36 1426-1431. 

Various studies have suggested that a generous intake of folate and B vitamins may be beneficial in stroke prevention by reducing the level of plasma Hey (Robinson et al. 1998). The association between dietary intake of folate and the subsequent risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well documented. 

Participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study included 9764 US men and women aged 25-74 years who were free of CVD at baseline. The results showed that relative risk of incidence of stroke events was lower among subjects with dietary folate intake in the highest quartile (405.0 pg/day) compared with those in the lowest quartile (99.0 pg/day), after adjustment for established cardiovascular risk factors and dietary factors (Bazzano et al. 2002). 

Cui, R., Iso, H., Date, C., Kikuchi, S., and Tamakoshi, A., 2010. Dietary folate and vitamin b6 and B12 intake in relation to mortality from cardiovascular diseases Japan collaborative cohort study. Stroke. 41 1285-1289. 

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