Folic acid's varying effectiveness in strokeEffect of plateletcrit and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T genotypes on folic acid efficacy in stroke prevention.
We explored the connection between platelet levels, genetic factors, and the effectiveness of folic acid in preventing strokes. Using data from over 11,000 hypertensive patients, we found that those with low platelet counts and specific genetic markers showed the highest stroke risks. However, they also experienced significant benefits from folic acid treatment, with notable reductions in stroke occurrence. This suggests that understanding an individual’s platelet function may help identify who can benefit most from folic acid therapy in stroke prevention efforts.
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B-vitamins may reduce stroke riskDosage exploration of combined B-vitamin supplementation in stroke prevention: a meta-analysis and systematic review.
We investigated the impact of combined B-vitamin supplementation—specifically folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6—on stroke prevention. Through a thorough analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials, we found that these vitamins significantly reduced stroke risk, especially in areas lacking folic acid fortification.
Dosages below 0.8 mg/day for folic acid and 0.4 mg/day for vitamin B12 appeared to be the most effective. However, no benefits were seen in areas where fortification was already implemented. This suggests that while B vitamins can be beneficial, their effectiveness relies heavily on dietary conditions.
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Folate levels influence stroke riskAssociation Between Serum Folate Concentrations and 10-Year Stroke Risk in a Prospective Community Cohort: Mediation and Interaction Analyses.
We examined the link between folate concentrations and the risk of stroke in a study involving over 4,900 participants from a Chinese community.
By tracking these individuals for nearly a decade, we observed that those with higher folate levels had a lower chance of experiencing strokes.
Notably, levels of homocysteine (Hcy) contributed to this relationship, mediating a significant portion of the effect. Furthermore, we found that the impact of folate on stroke risk varied depending on specific genetic factors.
Overall, low folate levels appeared to increase the risk of stroke over ten years, suggesting a potential role for folate in stroke prevention.
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Folate improves stroke recovery chancesFolate, Homocysteine, and Adverse Outcomes After Ischemic Stroke.
We explored the connection between folate, homocysteine levels, and outcomes in over 3,500 patients who suffered ischemic strokes. Our analysis found that higher folate levels were associated with a 29% decrease in the risk of severe outcomes, like death or major disability, at three months post-stroke.
Conversely, increased homocysteine levels correlated with a 52% higher risk of such outcomes. Notably, about 25.5% of the positive effects of folate were influenced by homocysteine. Overall, boosting folate could be beneficial for stroke recovery.
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Folic acid reduces stroke riskFolic acid supplementation for stroke prevention: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 21 randomized clinical trials worldwide.
We explored the effects of folic acid supplementation on stroke prevention through an analysis of 21 randomized controlled trials involving over 115,000 participants. Overall, we observed that folic acid significantly reduced stroke risk by about 10%.
Interestingly, the benefits were most pronounced in regions without fortified grains and among those without a prior history of stroke. Our findings suggest that grain fortification and individual health history play important roles in how effective folic acid can be for preventing strokes.
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