The widely held belief that B vitamins can protect against heart attack and stroke is unfounded, members of the European Society of Cardiology have been told.
Research released at a meeting of the Society in Stockholm not only dispelled the idea that B vitamins are beneficial to the heart, it also indicated that they may even be harmful.
The Norwegian Vitamin Trial (NORVIT) looked at 4,749 heart attack survivors and split them into four groups, one receiving folic acid (itself a B vitamin), another vitamin B6, the third received both folic acid and B6, with the fourth given a placebo.
Those groups on folic acid or vitamin B6 saw a marginal increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease compared to the placebo group, but those patients on both types of B vitamin were 20% more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke. This was despite a 30% reduction in homocysteine, a blood substance linked to heart risk.
The results also indicated that those taking folic acid were at a 40% greater risk of new cancers although the researchers stated further investigation was required.
"The results of the NORVIT trial are important because they tell doctors that prescribing high doses of B vitamins will not prevent heart disease or stroke," said Professor Harald Bonaa, author of the study. Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director of the British Heart Foundation agreed: "People should not be taking folic acid and vitamin B6 to stop them having a heart attack because it won't."
