The effects did not differ by sex or by age group .
Conclusions Evidence on the effects of supplementation of low concentrations of vitamin B12 and folate on haematological parameters in community-dwelling older people is inconclusive .
Background / objectives Low vitamin B12 and folate levels in community-dwelling older people are usually corrected with supplements .
However , the effect of this supplementation on haematological parameters in older persons is not known .
Effect of 3 y of folic acid supplementation on the progression of carotid intima-media thickness and carotid arterial stiffness in older adults.
BACKGROUND Observational studies have shown that low folate and elevated homocysteine concentrations are risk factors for vascular disease in the general population . R and omized controlled trials in vascular patients have failed to show that folic acid reduces the risk of recurrent vascular disease , whereas such trials are lacking in the general population . OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine whether folic acid supplementation reduces the progression of atherosclerosis as measured by common carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT)-a vali date d marker of atherosclerosis and predictor of vascular disease risk . DESIGN A r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled study in 819 men and postmenopausal women aged 50 - 70 y , free-living in the Netherl and s , and with a total homocysteine concentration ≥13 μmol/L at screening was conducted . Participants received either 800 μg folic acid or placebo daily for 3 y. Rate of change in CIMT and arterial distensibility were the primary and secondary outcomes , respectively . RESULTS Compared with placebo , serum folate increased by 577 % and plasma total homocysteine concentrations decreased by 26 % after 3 y of folic acid supplementation . The mean ( ±SE ) rate of change in CIMT was 1.9 ± 0.9 μm/y in the folic acid arm and 1.3 ± 0.8 μm/y in the placebo arm ( mean difference : 0.7 μm/y ; 95 % CI : -1.8 , 3.1 μm/y ; P = 0.59 ) . No difference was observed ( P = 0.23 ) between the rates of change in distensibility in the folic acid arm ( -0.53 ± 0.06 × 10(-3 ) kPa(-1 ) ) and in the placebo arm ( -0.62 ± 0.06 × 10(-3 ) kPa(-1 ) ) . CONCLUSION Despite a considerable increase in folate concentrations and a reduction in total homocysteine concentrations , 3-y folic acid supplementation did not slow down atherosclerotic progression or arterial stiffening . This trial was registered at clinical trials.gov as NCT00110604
The effects did not differ by sex or by age group .
Conclusions Evidence on the effects of supplementation of low concentrations of vitamin B12 and folate on haematological parameters in community-dwelling older people is inconclusive .
Background / objectives Low vitamin B12 and folate levels in community-dwelling older people are usually corrected with supplements .
However , the effect of this supplementation on haematological parameters in older persons is not known .