Evaluating the Effects of Folic Acid Supplementation in Older Adults: The Folic Acid Supplementation Trial (The FAST Study)

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 1996-09-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

High levels of homocysteine, which is an amino acid in the blood, have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. This study will examine the effect that differing levels of folic acid have on reducing homocysteine levels among older adults.

• Phase: Phase 3
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
• Collaborators: Johns Hopkins University; National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
• Treatments: Folic Acid; Vitamin B Complex

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy

• Living in the Baltimore area

Exclusion Criteria:

• Taking multivitamins or B-vitamins

• Unwilling to discontinue supplements for 8 weeks before study entry

• Use of intramuscular vitamin B12

• Seizure disorder

• Pernicious anemia

• Long-term use of anti-folate drugs (e.g., methotrexate, sulfa-antibiotics)