These "Bs" lower risk of cardiovascular disease
By Steve Born
Recent findings reveal an important new benefit of vitamin B intake: lowered risk of cardiovascular disease, courtesy of vitamins B6 and B12, and folic acid. Heart-healthy amounts of these B vitamins are easily obtained from a 7-capsule dose of Premium Insurance Caps or a smaller, 2-4-capsule dose of PICs plus 1 Xobaline tablet.
Nearly 400 people, ages 60-74, participated in the 12-month study. The treatment group received a daily dose of 2 mg of vitamin B6, 10 mcg of vitamin B12, and 400 mcg of folic acid daily. The control group received 50 mg of vitamin C daily. During this period, researchers calculated the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) for all participants. The FRS utilizes age, sex, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, smoking status, systolic blood pressure, and the use of blood pressure medication to calculate cardiovascular risk over 10 years.
At both the 6-month mark and 12-month mark, the researchers noted that the treatment group had vitamin B12 and folic acid concentration increases of 80% and 253%, respectively, compared to the control group. More importantly, compared to the control group, the treatment group showed dramatic improvements in FRS, meaning a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. That reduced risk was even greater in subjects who started the study with a folate deficiency.
The researchers concluded that low-dose supplementation with these specific B vitamins improves heart health by reducing the Framingham risk score. They also noted that consistent supplementation is necessary to maintain those beneficial effects.
Hammer Nutrition recommends a multifaceted approach involving diet, exercise, and supplementation to achieve optimal cardiovascular health. This exciting new research shows that simply supplementing with specific B vitamins - available in plentiful amounts in Premium Insurance Caps and Xobaline - is a powerfully effective way to enhance heart health and protect ourselves against cardiovascular disease.
Reference:
Wang L, et al. Eur J Nutr. 2014 Jun 11. [Epub ahead of print.]
