Evidence suggests that lowering levels of homocysteine, a potential risk marker for cardiovascular disease and an independent risk factor in stroke, dementia, and depression, is critical in treating inflammatory diseases. It has been reported that patients with RA have high levels of this amino acid because they have low blood levels of the B vitamins.

Trials have also shown that a combination of folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12 can lower homocysteine levels in these patients.

• Serum Folate and Risk of Fatal Coronary Heart Disease 1996
• Homocysteine and Cardiovascular Disease 1998
• Low Circulating Folate and Vitamin B-6 Concentrations 1998
• Preventing Coronary Heart Disease 1998
• Vitamin Supplementation Reduces Blood Homocysteine Levels 1998
• Decreased Rate of Coronary Restenosis after Lowering of Plasma Homocysteine Levels 2001
• Folates and Cardiovascular Disease 2002
• Homocysteine in Neuropsychiatric Disorders of the Elderly 2002
• Moderately Elevated Plasma Homocysteine, Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Genotype, and Risk for Stroke, Vascular Dementia, and Alzheimer Disease in Northern Ireland 2002
• Plasma homocysteine as a risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer's disease 2002
• Vitamin B12, Folate, and Alzheimer’s Disease 2002
• Abnormal Vitamin B6 Status Is Associated with Severity of Symptoms in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis 2003
• Depression and Folate Status in the US Population 2003
• Homocysteine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in relation to inflammation and B-vitamin treatment 2003
• Folate, Vitamin B6, and B12 Intakes In Relation to Risk of Stroke Among Men 2004
• Homocysteine as a Predictive Factor for Hip Fracture in Older Persons 2004

FDA “Qualified Health Claims” B vitamins & Vascular Disease. As part of a well-balanced diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, Folic Acid, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 may reduce the risk of vascular disease. FDA evaluated the above claim and found that, while it is known that diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol reduce the risk of heart disease and other vascular diseases, the evidence in support of the above claim is inconclusive. Docket No. 99P-3029.