CHAPTER 2: B Vitamins and Disease

B vitamins either occurring naturally in food or as dietary supplements are discussed with respect of prevention and/or treatment of major chronic diseases. In particular, folate/folic acid, cobalamin (vitamin B₁₂) and pyridoxine (vitamin B₆) have been investigated for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, various cancers, cognitive decline and dementia. While many observational epidemiological studies have reported a protective effect of increased vitamin intake, randomized clinical trials have not confirmed these findings. This is particularly true in the case of cardiovascular disease and cancer, while trials are still ongoing for cognitive decline and dementia.