NComb-induced amelioration of lipid profile was not affected by duration of supplementation nor by baseline lipid levels ; conversely , a greater glucose-lowering effect of NComb was found with higher baseline glucose levels and longer duration s of supplementation .
In conclusion , the present results suggest that NComb supplementation is associated with improvement of lipid and glucose profile .
Short-term beneficial effects of NComb supplementation appear to be maintained in the long term
Dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia are associated with an increased risk of  ischemic cardiovascular disease .
Positive effects of a nutraceutical combination comprising red yeast rice , berberine , policosanol , astaxanthin , coenzyme Q10 and folic acid ( NComb ) on plasma lipid and glucose levels have been reported in some but not all clinical trials .
To address this inconsistency , we tried to estimate the size of lipid- and glucose-lowering effects of NComb through a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials .
A dose-finding trial of the effect of long-term folic acid intervention: implications for food fortification policy.
BACKGROUND The lowest dose of folic acid required to achieve effective reductions in homocysteine is controversial but important for food fortification policy given recent concerns about the potential adverse effects of overexposure to this vitamin . OBJECTIVE We compared the effectiveness of 0.2 mg folic acid/d with that of 0.4 and 0.8 mg/d at lowering homocysteine concentrations over a 6-mo period . DESIGN A r and omized dose-finding trial with folic acid was conducted . Of 203 participants screened , 101 patients with ischemic heart disease and 71 healthy volunteers completed the study . Participants were r and omly assigned to receive placebo or folic acid at doses of 0.2 , 0.4 , or 0.8 mg/d for 26 wk ; sub sample s of patients with ischemic heart disease were also examined at 6 or 12 wk . RESULTS Participants with higher baseline homocysteine concentrations had the greatest reductions in homocysteine in response to folic acid doses of 0.2 mg ( -20.6 % ) , 0.4 mg ( -20.7 % ) , and 0.8 mg ( -27.8 % ) ; in those with lower baseline homocysteine concentrations , the responses were -8.2 % , -8.9 % , and -8.3 % , respectively . No significant differences in homocysteine responses to the different doses were observed . In the patient group sample d at intervals during the intervention , the maximal homocysteine response appeared to be achieved by 6 wk in the 0.8-mg/d group and by 12 wk in the 0.4-mg/d group . However , the homocysteine response was suboptimal in the 0.2-mg/d group at both 6 and 12 wk compared with that at 26 wk . CONCLUSIONS A folic acid dose as low as 0.2 mg/d can , if administered for 6 mo , effectively lower homocysteine concentrations . Higher doses may not be necessary because they result in no further significant lowering , whereas doses even lower than 0.2 mg/d may be effective in the longer term . Previous trials probably overestimated the folic acid dose required because of a treatment duration that was too short . This trial was registered at clinical trials.gov as IS RCT N45296887
NComb-induced amelioration of lipid profile was not affected by duration of supplementation nor by baseline lipid levels ; conversely , a greater glucose-lowering effect of NComb was found with higher baseline glucose levels and longer duration s of supplementation .
In conclusion , the present results suggest that NComb supplementation is associated with improvement of lipid and glucose profile .
Short-term beneficial effects of NComb supplementation appear to be maintained in the long term
Dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia are associated with an increased risk of  ischemic cardiovascular disease .
Positive effects of a nutraceutical combination comprising red yeast rice , berberine , policosanol , astaxanthin , coenzyme Q10 and folic acid ( NComb ) on plasma lipid and glucose levels have been reported in some but not all clinical trials .
To address this inconsistency , we tried to estimate the size of lipid- and glucose-lowering effects of NComb through a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials .