Folic acid and arterial plaque

[lifegems]

I’ve recently read that folic acid supplements can increase arteries plaque.. see below. Given I take this to facilitate b12 shots should I be worried. ?

When folic acid is given as a supplement, it may increase the build-up of arterial plaque. A second hypothesis involves the methylation of genes in vascular cells by folic acid and vitamin B12, which may also accelerate plaque growth. Finally, altered methylation may catalyse l-arginine to asymmetric dimethylarginine, which is known to increase the risk of vascular disease.

[fbirder]

No. That Wikipedia article says - "We don't know why folic acid didn't lower the incidence of cardiovascular deaths, even though it lowered homocysteine. Here's some guesses. But they may be complete balderdash".

It's always pays to check out the references in Wikipedia articles that sound a bit dodgy.

The study that found these results was using patients over 55 who had vascular disease or diabetes (so not normal people like thee and me). And, while it didn't decrease cardiovascular deaths, it didn't increase them either.

Also, the study that found that folic acid didn't prevent cardiovascular deaths was using 2500 mcg a day for five years. If you are worried, I'd try using one-fifth that amount.

[lifegems in reply to fbirder]

Thanks .. yes I appreciate studies need further investigation.. I did not think this was a Wikipedia article tbh.. I need to go back to the link and check. There is so much misinformation out there now it can be difficult to navigate through the BS to find the truth.. however the truth is also a moving target ! What we know now could change tomorrow.. depending on what study or research is conducted on whom and when and what questions are asked !