Low levels of B vitamins, in particular folate, and high levels of plasma total homocysteine, have been associated with a variety of age-related diseases and disorders, including cardiovascular disease, dementia and hearing impairment. Extra folate, for example in the form of folic acid, is known to decrease the concentrations of plasma total homocysteine.~We examined whether 0.8 mg/d folic acid could slow down atherosclerotic progression and the above mentioned age-related processes.
The purpose of this study is to determine if folic acid supplementation can slow down atherosclerotic progression, age-related cognitive decline and age-related hearing loss.