Homocysteine level not lowered by high dose of Folic acid supplements

It turns out that doses of folic acid higher than 0.2 milligrams per day may not be necessary to lower levels of homocysteine in the blood, according to a recent survey.  This is controversial and combats articles that indicated higher doses of folic acid were recommended.  This impacts the amount of folic acid necessary to fortify food in order to prevent heart disease through the addition of folic acid.  The study compared the use of lower levels of folic acid with higher levels of 0.4 and 0.8 milligrams per day. 

The study was done over a six month period of time and participants received no, 0.2, 0.4 or 0.8 milligrams of folic acid daily.  The study shows that  it doesn’t take much folic acid to affect a great degree of homocysteine reduction.  

Researchers say that a folic acid dose of as low as 0.2 mg per day can, if given for around six months, be as effective in lowering homocysteine levels as higher doses.  It may not be necessary to reduce heart disease by lowering homocysteine levels with the taking of high dose folic acid supplements.  This is in direct contrast to previous studies, which may have been too short a duration to make the difference in dosages clear cut.  It was, however, pointed out that the recent study didn’t measure renal function and didn’t determine the possible additional benefits of taking vitamin B12. 

The study researchers indicated that higher doses of folic acid may not be necessary to keep the homocysteine levels down to an acceptable level. This also indicates that it may be inappropriate for people to take the higher dosages, which have the potential for health problems.  You may not be able to be successful in lowering homocysteine levels alone and it may take vitamin B12 on top of the folic acid to have the best effect.