[Evaluation of total plasma homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 in 25-64 aged inhabitants of Tehran University of medical sciences population lab region]

ABSTRACT

Introduction: elevated plasma total homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a sensitive marker of vitamin B12 and folate insufficiency. Folate and vitamin B12 have a protective effect on cardiovascular disease. This effect may be partly explained by mechanisms independent of homocysteine. This survey is the first population based study to evaluate the plasma total homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 in 1214 healthy Iranian persons