Ibuprofen Side Effects & Health Impacts

Folate depletion impairs one-carbon metabolism, leading to elevated homocysteine, endothelial dysfunction and potential promotion of atherothrombotic events.

Meta-analyses of randomized trials show that folic acid supplementation lowers homocysteine and modestly reduces stroke and overall cardiovascular disease risk in some populations, especially where baseline folate status is low, highlighting the adverse vascular profile of folate deficiency.

Li Y et al. Folic acid supplementation and the risk of cardiovascular diseases: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Am Heart Assoc. 2016;5(8):e003768.; Wang Y et al. The effect of folic acid in patients with cardiovascular disease: a meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(38):e17106.; Miller ER et al. Meta-analysis of folic acid supplementation trials on risk of cardiovascular disease. Am J Cardiol. 2010;106(4):517-527.

Folate deficiency impairs DNA synthesis, resulting in ineffective erythropoiesis, macrocytosis and megaloblastic anemia, often accompanied by glossitis, mucosal changes and fatigue.

Hematology and nutrition reviews describe folate deficiency as a classic cause of megaloblastic anemia and mucosal abnormalities, frequently exacerbated by medications that antagonize folate metabolism.

O’Leary F, Samman S. Vitamin B12 in health and disease. Nutrients. 2010;2(3):299-316. (discussion of folate and B12 in megaloblastic anemia); Lešić S et al. The impact of vitamin deficiencies on oral manifestations. Dent J (Basel). 2024;12(4):109.

Taurine modulates calcium handling, osmoregulation and endothelial function; lower taurine availability has been associated with higher blood pressure and adverse cardiometabolic profiles.

Randomized controlled trials in prehypertensive and cardiovascular patients show that taurine supplementation lowers blood pressure and improves vascular function, suggesting that inadequate taurine can impair cardiovascular regulation under stress.

Sun Q et al. Taurine supplementation lowers blood pressure and improves vascular function in prehypertension: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Hypertension. 2016;67(3):541-549.; Li Y et al. Taurine ameliorates blood pressure and vascular function in prehypertension. iScience. 2025;38:00980.; Tzang CC et al. Insights into the cardiovascular benefits of taurine. Nutr J. 2024;23(1):995-1008.

Deficient taurine-mediated modulation of myocardial calcium and mitochondrial function could worsen exercise capacity and symptoms in heart failure, though clear deficiency thresholds are not defined.

Older and recent trials in congestive heart failure report improved left ventricular ejection fraction and functional class with taurine supplementation, implying that higher taurine availability benefits myocardial performance.

Azuma J et al. Double-blind randomized crossover trial of taurine in congestive heart failure. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 1983;34:543-557.; Azuma J et al. Usefulness of taurine in chronic congestive heart failure and its prospective application. Jpn Circ J. 1992;56(1):95-99.; Tzang CC et al. Insights into the cardiovascular benefits of taurine. Nutr J. 2024;23(1):995-1008.