Effect of B-vitamins and n-3 PUFA supplementation for 5 years on blood pressure in patients with CVD

Br J Nutr. 2012 Mar;107(6):921-7. doi: 10.1017/S0007114511003692. Epub 2011 Aug 1.

Abstract

Certain epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that n-3 fatty acids and folate can reduce blood pressure (BP). We investigated the effect of a daily supplementation with dietary doses of B-vitamins or n-3 fatty acids for 5 years on BP in patients with a history of CVD who participated in the Supplémentation en Folates et Omega-3 trial. The patients (n 2501; 1987 men and 514 women) were randomly assigned in a 2 × 2 factorial design to one of four groups: B-vitamins (5-methyl-THF (560 μg); vitamin B₆ (3 mg) and vitamin B₁₂ (20 μg)) and a placebo capsule for n-3 fatty acids; n-3 fatty acids (600 mg of EPA and DHA at a ratio of 2:1) and a placebo capsule for B-vitamins; both B-vitamins and n-3 fatty acids; or placebo capsules for both treatments. The patients took two capsules daily in a double-blind manner for a median duration of 4·7 years. At baseline and annual examination for 5 years, the patients underwent a clinical examination where BP and clinical and biological parameters were assessed. No effect of supplementation with either n-3 PUFA or B-vitamins on BP was observed in crude and adjusted multivariate models. Change in BP was not associated with change in homocysteine. In conclusion, the present results do not support the routine use of dietary supplements containing B-vitamins, or of n-3 fatty acids, to reduce BP in people with prior CVD.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Blood Pressure
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / blood
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / complications
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diet therapy*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Homocysteine / blood
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / etiology
  • Hypertension / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Overweight / complications
  • Patient Compliance
  • Tetrahydrofolates / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin B Complex / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Tetrahydrofolates
  • Homocysteine
  • Vitamin B Complex
  • 5-methyltetrahydrofolate

Associated data

  • ISRCTN/ISRCTN41926726