§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the strength of Vitamin B6 when used for(a) countering heart disease and (b) female hormone control, in the light of the Food Standards Agency's report on safe maximum dosages; and if he will make a statement. [79330]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 4 November 2002]: There is epidemiological evidence that homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and increasing levels of some B vitamins, including B6, may reduce blood levels of homocysteine. However, there is not yet conclusive evidence that reducing blood homocysteine—through increased intake of B vitamins—has a direct impact on the incidence of CVD. There are on-going randomised controlled trials assessing the impact of lowering homocysteine levels on the incidence of heart disease.
The evidence to date suggests that B6 may have a positive effect on pre-menstrual symptoms, but this is based on limited information from poor quality trials. Further trials are required to confirm an association.
The expert group on vitamins and minerals (EVM) was asked to advise on the safety of intakes of vitamins and minerals in food supplements and fortified foods. The EVM was not asked to consider the beneficial effects of the vitamins and minerals under consideration, although nutritional need was taken into account to ensure that safe upper levels were not set at a level below dietary requirements.
The EVM draft report is the work of an independent advisory group, currently out to public consultation and available on the Food Standards Agency website.