Possible Interaction: Folic Acid and Vitamin B 12

“With supplementation of both folic acid and vitamin B12 , the levels of ADMA and Hcy decreased significantly at 2 and 12 weeks (p<0.05).”

“We and others have reported that cobalamin , administered parenterally, reduces plasma tHcy substantially below the lowest concentrations attainable with folic acid.”

“We obtained an effective decrease in mean Hcy concentration from 20 to 14.8 μmol/L after folic acid and vitamin B12 treatment.”

“Further, within group, mean fasting plasma homocysteine concentration was nonsignificantly … and 50 mg/day vitamin B6 supplemented groups, respectively; whereas folic acid … vitamin B12 supplementation significantly reduced fasting plasma homocysteine concentration by 32% (P<0.001).Conclusions: … combined with vitamin B12 in lowering plasma homocysteine concentrations in CAD patients.”

“The mean fasting plasma homocysteine concentration, however, decreased significantly after 12 weeks of folic acid combined with vitamin B12 supplementation (P=0.047).”

“Addition of folic acid and vitamin B12 significantly reduced toxicity without adversely affecting survival time.”

“There is also concern that folic acid supplementation negatively affects vitamin B12 status.”

“ Folic acid in combination with a low vitamin B-12 dose (6 microg) affected homocysteine as well (-15%).”

“The effect observed with the combination of folic acid + 400 microg vitamin B-12 (total homocysteine, -18%) was significantly larger than that with a supplement containing folic acid alone (total homocysteine, -11%) (P < 0.05).”

“The lack of benefit of folic acid plus higher doses of cyanocobalamin (≥0.4 mg/day) was observed in trials which all included participants with chronic kidney disease.”

“Adding vitamin B-12 might make it possible to reduce the dose of folic acid required in fortified food, thus allaying concerns about overexposure to folic acid.”

“In addition, folic acid and vitamin B12 could not only be mere cofactors in the homocysteine metabolism; they may have a direct action in determining tissue damage and cardiovascular risk.”