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Updated: Jun 30, 2025

Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes
Published on: June 28, 2024
Folic acid and plasma lipids: Interactions and effect of folate supplementation
Federica Fogacci1, Carmine Pizzi2, Luca Bergamaschi3
1Hypertension and Cardiovascular risk factors Research Unit, Medical and Surgical Sciences Dept., Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
Abstract:
Dyslipidaemia and hyperhomocysteinemia are known risk factors for cardiovascular disease. While it is evident that optimization of plasma lipid is associated with low risk of cardiovascular disease in the general population, it is not yet fully clear whether reduction of homocysteinemia is associated with an improvement in risk in all subjects. The aim of our narrative review is to highlight eventual effects of folate supplementation on LDL-C levels, LDL-C oxidation and atherosclerosis-related complications. A comprehensive literature search was done in electronic database, including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus from inception up to January 2024. Based on the available evidence, epidemiological data, pathophysiological observations and meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials suggest that folic acid supplementation may modestly but significantly improve plasma lipid levels, lipid atherogenicity, and atherosclerosis-related early vascular damage, and that folic acid supplementation may significantly reduce the risk of cerebrovascular disease. Considering the low-cost and high safety profile of folic acid, its long-term supplementation could be considered for dyslypidaemic patients in secondary prevention for cardiovascular disease.
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