In 2 separate studies over a few years involving 3,000 plus people and 5,000 plus only women at risk for heart disease, it was discovered that even if as much as 30% lowering of homocysteine levels was achieved through taking folic acid, B6, B12 vitamins, it did nothing to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Folic acid does seem to give some protective benefit against stroke. 1 mg a day is the upper limit for Folic Acid, which can in high doses mask a serious B12 deficiency which can lead to permanent nerve damage. It is very important for pregnant women to take a multi vitamin with folic acid, because spina bifida is common in babies born to mothers deficient in folic acid.
Folic acid does seem to give some protective benefit against stroke. 1 mg a day is the upper limit for Folic Acid, which can in high doses mask a serious B12 deficiency which can lead to permanent nerve damage. It is very important for pregnant women to take a multi vitamin with folic acid, because spina bifida is common in babies born to mothers deficient in folic acid.