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In recent years, we have often reported on studies showing that folic acid, a B vitamin, can prevent neural tube defects and other deformities if taken in sufficient amounts by an expectant mother. The recommended amount is usually 400 mcg/day before conception and during the early stages of the pregnancy.
As long ago as 1969, Kilmer McCully, M.D., suggested that many Americans might have high levels of homocysteine, an amino acid, in their blood, either due to their diets or because they inherited a genetic defect that required that they consume sufficient amounts of the B vitamin to keep homocysteine levels down, according to Gina Kolata in the July 4, 1995 issue of The New York Times. McCully said that this group is at risk for developing heart disease and strokes.
One of folic acid's several functions in the body is to reduce the amount of homocysteine in the blood.
Recently, researchers have seen mounting evidence that large numbers of people have especially high levels of homocysteine in their bloodstream, and that this substance can injure blood vessels, causing hardening of the arteries, thus...