Heart disease, or cardiovascular disease, includes any medical problem of the heart and blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. Heart disease is the most common cause of death in the US. There are many reasons people have heart disease, but a reason that scientists have been studying recently is high levels of homocysteine (homo sis teen) in the blood. Homocysteine is an amino acid, or building block of protein, normally found in blood.  Some studies show that people with levels higher than normal often suffer heart disease or stroke. Doctors suspect that high levels of homocysteine make it harder for blood to flow through blood vessels and make it easier for blood clots to form. Either one can cause a heart attack.

A deficiency of folate and other B vitamins may increase blood levels of homocysteine and your risk of heart disease. It is very important to eat foods high in folate each day. A list of foods high in folate is listed below.  Daily consumption of these foods is a great way to meet your daily needs.

Research shows that folate may play a role in fighting heart disease, but there is not enough research to say that taking folate supplements will prevent heart disease. For today, good advice means eating a well-balanced diet that includes good sources of folate.

REFERENCE:
Office of Dietary Supplements. National Institutes of Health. Bethesda, Maryland 20892 USA. Web: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/folate.asp.