Vitamin-Fortified Water May Reduce Homocysteine Levels

KUOPIO, Finland--Consumption of vitamin and mineral-fortified water was seen to reduce homocyesteine levels, a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, according to a study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (58, 2:376-85, 2004) (www.nature.com/ejcn).

After a two-week run-in period, 60 subjects drank either water containing folic acid (563 mcg/d), calcium (563 mg/d) and vitamins B6 (1 mg/d), B12 (7.5 mcg/d) and D (0.6 mcg/d), or placebo. After eight weeks of supplementation, plasma homocysteine levels decreased by 1.6 micromol/L and serum folate concentration increased by an average of 16.1 nmol/L in subjects consuming the fortified water. Researchers also noted the calcium used in the fortified water was bioavailable, based on individuals calcium levels and bone metabolism.