title: Vitamins and minerals 4: overview of folate and the B vitamins.
abstract: Many studies have suggested that elevated homocysteine levels are an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke and Alzheimer's disease. Lower levels of the three water-soluble vitamins--folate (folic acid), vitamin B6 and vitamin B12--are primary determinants of high blood homocysteine levels. In the fourth of an occasional series on vitamins, minerals and supplements, June Thompson looks at the role folate, in particular, may play in reducing homocysteine in the body and in protecting the body from some other diseases.
authors.forename: June
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018890:Chemoprevention; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011322:Primary Prevention; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine; D025101:Vitamin B 6; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12