Blood Flow to the Heart Improved with Folic Acid and Vitamin B12

Researchers have recently determined that folic acid and vitamin B12 increase blood flow to heart muscle. Oxygen and nutrients are brought to the heart muscle via the coronary arteries. These arteries can become blocked with the deposition of fats along the artery walls, forming plaques.

Researchers investigated the role of vitamin B12 and folic acid in optimization of blood flow to the heart itself, as these vitamins have been shown to balance levels of the amino acid homocysteine. Unbalanced homocysteine is associated with effects on cardiovascular health. The subjects included 40 individuals with a mean age of 57.8 years and decreased blood flow through the coronary arteries. The subjects received 0.8 mg of folic acid plus 0.4 mg of vitamin B12, 40 mg of vitamin B6, or placebo for 24 months. The subjects were evaluated for coronary blood flow after 9 and 24 months of supplementation. Coronary blood flow was measured using coronary angiography and Doppler flow-wire measurements during an infusion of saline, acetylcholine, adenosine and nitroglycerin, which are chemicals that dilate the coronary blood vessels.

The results of the study showed that compared to the individuals who received placebo or vitamin B6 alone, the subjects who received folic acid and vitamin B12 for 24 months had significantly increased coronary blood flow under normal conditions and with the addition of the vasodilator adenosine.

The researchers concluded, “Long-term treatment with a combination of folic acid and vitamin B12 increase basal and adenosine-induced maximal coronary blood flow.”

Reference:

Bleie O, Strand E, Ueland PM, Vollset SE, Refsum H, Igland J, Nordrehaug JE, Nygård OK. Coronary blood flow in patients with stable coronary artery disease treated long term with folic acid and vitamin B12. Coron Artery Dis. 2011 Mar 7. Published Online Ahead of Print.