Can you take b12 and folic acid together
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Can You Take B12 and Folic Acid Together?
Combined Supplementation of B12 and Folic Acid: Cardiovascular Health
Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Risk Reduction
Research indicates that taking folic acid and vitamin B12 together can have specific health benefits, particularly in reducing the risk of stroke. A meta-analysis of randomized control trials involving 26,395 patients found that while the combined supplementation of folic acid, vitamin B12, and B6 did not significantly affect the incidence of cardiovascular disease events or myocardial infarction, it did reduce the incidence of stroke by 14% . This suggests that the combination of these vitamins can be beneficial for stroke prevention.
Homocysteine Levels
The same meta-analysis also showed that combined supplementation of folic acid and vitamin B12, along with B6, could lower homocysteine levels by 2.53 µmol/L . Elevated homocysteine levels are a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, so this reduction is a positive outcome of combined supplementation.
Diabetes Management
Glycaemic Control and Insulin Resistance
In patients with type 2 diabetes, combined supplementation of folic acid and vitamin B12 has shown promising results. A clinical trial involving 80 patients found that the group receiving both folic acid and vitamin B12 had significant improvements in HbA1c levels, plasma insulin, and insulin resistance compared to the control group . This indicates that the combination can be effective in managing blood sugar levels and improving insulin sensitivity in diabetic patients.
Neurological Health
CNS Function and Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Folic acid and vitamin B12 play crucial roles in central nervous system (CNS) function. They are involved in the methionine-synthase mediated conversion of homocysteine to methionine, which is essential for nucleotide synthesis and genomic and non-genomic methylation. Deficiencies in these vitamins can lead to overlapping neuropsychiatric syndromes and neuropathology, including mood disorders and dementias such as Alzheimer's disease . Therefore, combined supplementation may help in the prevention and management of these conditions.
Cancer Risk
Colorectal Cancer
However, there are some concerns regarding the long-term use of these supplements. A study from the B-PROOF trial indicated that long-term supplementation with folic acid and vitamin B12 was associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer . This suggests that while there are benefits to combined supplementation, there may also be risks that need to be carefully considered.
Overall Cancer Risk
Another study found no significant effect of combined folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 supplementation on the overall risk of invasive cancer or breast cancer among women . This indicates that the cancer risk associated with these vitamins may be specific to certain types of cancer, such as colorectal cancer.
Conclusion
In summary, taking folic acid and vitamin B12 together can offer several health benefits, including reduced stroke risk, improved glycaemic control in diabetes, and support for CNS function. However, there are potential risks, such as an increased risk of colorectal cancer, that should be considered. As always, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplementation regimen.
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