Stroke and the devastating side effects that many aging people suffer as a result of a cerebrovascular event can transform normally productive lives and result in a wide range of life-altering changes that increase the risk of early mortality. Homocysteine, a byproduct of human metabolism, is a non-protein amino acid that dramatically increases the risk of vascular inflammation, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Homocysteine has been on the radar of the medical profession and nutrition scientists for nearly two decades, yet elevated levels detected by simple blood tests are typically ignored, placing millions at significantly increased risk of chronic vascular disease and death. Researchers performing a meta-analysis of studies that examine B vitamin intake and homocysteine levels have uncovered evidence that suggests vitamin B supplements could help to reduce the risk of stroke. Publishing in the prestigious journal, Neurology, the scientists from Zhengzhou University in China referenced prior studies showing that B vitamin supplementation was beneficial for many health issues, including stress, anxiety, depression, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease and stroke.

Full Spectrum Vitamin B Supplements, coupled with Betaine, dramatically lower Homocysteine Levels and Stroke Risk

Lead study author, Dr. Xu Yuming and his colleagues analyzed fourteen randomized clinical trials involving a total of 54,913 participants. All studies compared use of vitamin B supplements with a placebo, or a very low dosage of the vitamin, and all participants were then followed for a period of six months. Researchers found that a total of 2,471 stroke events were recorded during the duration of all studies followed. The study results showed that the participants taking the vitamin B supplements had a seven percent reduced risk of stroke, compared with those taking the placebo supplements or a low dosage of vitamin B. Interestingly, the scientists found that intake of vitamin B9, a B vitamin isomer frequently used to fortify many wheat-based cereals actually reversed the positive health effects of supplementation with the whole spectrum of B vitamins to negate their stroke lowering effect. While a seven percent reduction in stroke risk may appear to be relatively small, the researchers confirmed a host of past studies that demonstrate that the methyl-group donor known as trimethylglycine (also known as Betaine), works synergistically along with B vitamins to dramatically lower stroke (and cardiovascular disease) risk by clearing excess levels of homocysteine from circulation in the blood. Dr. Yuming concluded “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.” Health-minded individuals will want to take a high potency, full spectrum vitamin B supplement daily, along with TMG (750 – 1,000 mg) to naturally lower homocysteine and risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

About the author:

Mr Vitamins guest author, John Phillip is a USA-based Nutritional Consultant and Health Researcher  who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.neurology.org/content/early/2013/09/18/WNL.0b013e3182a823cc http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Vitamin-B-shows-stroke-protection-promise/ http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266247.php http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130918175553.htm