1) The VITATOPS trial studied whether daily supplements of B vitamins (folic acid, B6, B12) would lower homocysteine levels and reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or vascular death in patients with a recent stroke or transient ischemic attack. 2) The trial involved over 8,000 patients from 20 countries randomly assigned to receive either B vitamins or placebo daily for an average of 3.4 years. 3) While homocysteine levels were significantly lower in those receiving B vitamins, the treatment did not significantly reduce the combined risk of stroke, heart attack, or vascular death compared to placebo.

1. B vitamins in patients with recent transient ischaemic attack or stroke in the VITAmins TO Prevent Stroke (VITATOPS) trial: a randomised, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled trial The VITATOPS Trial Study Group ‡ The LANCET Neurology August 2010