BMJ  2005;331 (5 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7524.0-a

Role of folate in preventing CHD may be in doubt

The protective role of folate—through lowering serum homocysteine concentrations—against coronary heart disease may not be as strong as previously thought. Lewis and colleagues (p 1053) carried out an updated meta-analysis of observational studies that included 26 000 cases and more than 30 000 controls—twice the size of previous meta-analyses. Using rigorous statistical techniques, they show there is little evidence of homocysteine affecting the risk of coronary heart disease. Only studies conducted in the Middle East and Japan seem to suggest the causal relationship, but this could also be a result of publication bias.

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Relevant Article

Meta-analysis of MTHFR 677CT polymorphism and coronary heart disease: does totality of evidence support causal role for homocysteine and preventive potential of folate?

Sarah J Lewis, Shah Ebrahim, and George Davey Smith
BMJ 2005 331: 1053. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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All men by nature desire to know.

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