The effect of B-vitamins on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This article systematically reviews and meta-analyzes the association between B-vitamins—specifically vitamins B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folate or folic acid), and B12 (cobalamin)—and cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. The findings indicate that folic acid supplementation significantly reduces carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a marker of atherosclerosis, and higher intakes of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 are generally linked to lower CVD risk in populations with normal renal function and without unstable angina or recent non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The effects of vitamin B supplementation vary according to individual factors such as age, gender, genetic polymorphisms (e.g., MTHFR and MTHFD1 genotypes), renal function, and concurrent use of antiplatelet medications. The review highlights the need for further research to define optimal vitamin B intake recommendations tailored to diverse populations and to clarify the interactions between vitamin B status and cardiovascular outcomes.