Effect of folic acid and betaine supplementation on flow-mediated dilation: a randomized, controlled study in healthy volunteers.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

We investigated whether lowering of fasting homocysteine concentrations, either with folic acid or with betaine supplementation, differentially affects vascular function, a surrogate marker for risk of cardiovascular disease, in healthy volunteers. As yet, it remains uncertain whether a high concentration of homocysteine itself or whether a low folate status--its main determinant--is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. To shed light on this issue, we performed this study.

Design

This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study.

Setting

The study was performed at Wageningen University in Wageningen, the Netherlands.

Participants

Participants were 39 apparently healthy men and women, aged 50-70 y.

Interven

SUBMITTER: Olthof MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1488898 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature