A new study concluded taking vitamin B supplements could reduce the risk of stroke.
"Previous studies have conflicting findings regarding the use of vitamin B supplements and stroke or heart attack," author Xu Yuming, with Zhengzhou University in Zhengzhou, China, said, an American Academy of Neurology press release reported. "Some studies have even suggested that the supplements may increase the risk of these events."
The researchers conducted 14 separate clinical trials that encompassed a grand total of 54,913 patients. The team had some participants take a vitamin B supplement, while others were given a placebo, or "sugar" pill.
Patients were followed for at least six months. Over the course of the study 2,471 of the patients suffered a stroke.
After analyzing the data, the researchers concluded those who took the vitamin B pills were about seven percent less likely to suffer a stroke. The supplements were not found to reduce the severity of the medical emergency, or the symptoms that come along with it.
"Our analysis demonstrated that homocysteine lowering therapy with B vitamin supplementation significantly reduced stroke events," the researchers said, the Telegraph reported.
Folic acid, "a supplemental form of folate (vitamin B9),"may reduce the benefits of vitamin B, the press release reported. Many health experts have suggested folic acid be added to bread to make sure pregnant women get enough of it; a lack of the nutrient could cause babies to develop health problems such as spina bifida, the Telegraph reported.
"Based on our results, the ability of vitamin B to reduce stroke risk may be influenced by a number of other factors such as the body's absorption rate, the amount of folic acid or vitamin B12 concentration in the blood, and whether a person has kidney disease or high blood pressure," Yuming said, the press release reported. "Before you begin taking any supplements, you should always talk to your doctor."
