is a substance found in the blood. Some evidence suggests that
high levels of homocysteine might be an important risk factor
for heart disease. Since homocysteine levels can be reduced
without drugs—adequate intake of vitamin B12, and will
suffice—in the late 1990s some public health researchers seized
on the homocysteine hypothesis as a possible way to prevent
major killers through simple nutritional supplementation.
Numerous large studies were designed and conducted to determine
whether homocysteine reduction can reduce heart disease,
strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases. Unfortunately, the
results thus far have been disappointing. The results of
completed trials suggest that homocysteine reduction does have a
marked effect on heart disease and related conditions. However,
some these large studies have, in passing, noted unexpected
benefits among those given homocysteine-reducing supplements.
One of these possible “positive side-effects” is discussed in an
article published in 2007 by the prestigious