We set out to understand how folic acid (FA) levels relate to high cholesterol and the risk of atherosclerosis, a leading cause of heart disease. Utilizing a method called Mendelian randomization, which leverages genetic data to uncover causal relationships, we explored the connection between genetically determined FA levels and atherosclerosis risk.
Our findings revealed that higher FA levels are linked to a lower risk of atherosclerosis. Specifically, we observed that individuals with greater FA levels had favorable cholesterol profiles—showing higher levels of good cholesterol (HDL-C) and lower levels of bad cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG). This suggests that FA might exert a protective effect on heart health by improving lipid levels.
Interestingly, we found that LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG together mediate a notable portion of this relationship, accounting for just over 13% of the total impact of FA on atherosclerosis. In simpler terms, improving cholesterol could be a significant part of how folic acid helps reduce heart disease risk.
Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of maintaining healthy folate levels, as it can be a vital step in reducing cholesterol and, consequently, lowering cardiovascular risks.
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We investigated how a special dietary supplement, which includes folate among other natural components, impacts cholesterol levels in children and adolescents with moderate to severe hypercholesterolemia. The supplement, called Armolipid, combines red yeast rice, policosanols, coenzyme Q10, astaxanthin, and folic acid.
Over the course of 16 months, we observed significant reductions in total cholesterol and some harmful types of cholesterol, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is often referred to as "bad cholesterol." However, it’s important to note that despite the presence of folate in the supplement, the study did not isolate its effects from the other ingredients, making it challenging to determine folate's specific impact on high cholesterol levels.
We did not see significant changes in beneficial cholesterol levels (high-density lipoprotein or HDL), triglycerides, or other lipoproteins. For those who were using phytosterols before starting Armolipid, the supplement did provide additional benefits, particularly in reducing atherogenic lipoproteins.
Overall, while Armolipid may offer an effective and safe option for managing cholesterol in children, we should conduct further research to specifically understand the role of folate and the other ingredients separately.
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