Folic acid

Indication: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

Source: Br J Surg, September 2009;96(9):990-8.

Research: The aim of this study was to determine whether folate supplementation improved artery function in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Individuals with PAD were randomly assigned to receive 400 micrograms folic acid (45 patients) or 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) (48 patients) daily, or placebo (40 patients) for 16 weeks.

Results: Plasma total homocysteine was significantly reduced in the folic acid and 5-MTHF groups compared with controls. However, plasma levels of inflammatory markers were not affected.