Vitamin B9 (folic acid) appears to
prevent high levels of homocysteine in
the blood. Homocysteine can
damage blood vessel walls and
promote blood clots, and high levels
can lead to heart disease.
While B9 is important, don’t forget the
other B vitamins—both B6 and B12
also play a role in lowering
homocysteine. Another B vitamin—B3
(niacin)—helps increase the levels of
HDL (“good”)
cholesterol.
This being said, don’t assume that if a
little is good, a lot is better. Some
studies have shown that when it
comes to heart health, mega doses of
the B vitamins may do more harm
than good.