Study into the role of B vitamins in lowering health risks

August 09, 2007

Researchers at the University of New England are calling for volunteers for a new study, the results of which have the potential to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke and possibly slow the progression of dementia.

Around 30 men aged between 35 and 60 will be needed for the study, which will measure the effect of B-type vitamins (including folate) on homocysteine levels. Evidence is building that homocysteine levels may be an indicator of stroke or heart-disease risk comparable to cholesterol, which is one of the current indicators of such health risks.

While women planning a pregnancy have been encouraged to supplement their diet as a precaution against conditions such as spina bifida, few people are aware that around 50 countries, including the USA, Canada and South Africa, add folate to their foods, and that there are suggestions that folate might be added to bread in Australia. So UNE researchers Professor Ken Watson and Dr Kate Kauter are looking into what Professor Watson describes as "a very hot topic at the moment".

"It seems to be the case that a significant percentage of Australia's population, particularly the elderly, have insufficient folate in their diet," Professor Watson said. "If the folate intake is low, homocysteine goes up. Homocysteine is a biomarker for cardiovascular disease and stroke, and there is evidence that it may also be an indicative biomarker for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease."

Professor Watson agrees that we should probably be trying to get more folate into our diets, which can be achieved by eating foods such as liver, nuts, beans, wholegrain breads, fruit and vegetables.

Those who volunteer for the study, which will run from September to December this year, will need to be healthy non-smokers, able to commit themselves to a 16-week trial, agreeable to taking vitamin B supplements while giving up any other dietary supplements, and able to provide four blood samples (taken by trained personnel) during the course of the trial. (Women are not part of the trial as menstrual cycles can substantially affect measurable results.) While contributing to a study that could help the health of thousands of people world-wide, a more direct benefit for volunteers lies in their option to have their GP notified of their results, and so provide a picture of their own health.

Those interested in joining the trial should contact Professor Ken Watson on 6773 3125 (kwatson@une.edu.au) or Dr Kate Kauter on 6773 3326 (kkauter3@une.edu.au).

Posted by Jim Scanlan at August 9, 2007 03:35 PM