Low folate intake is an important determinant of elevated blood levels of homocysteine. Because elevated homocysteine has been shown to be a possible graded risk factor for CHD, sufficient folate intake may be important in the prevention of CHD. The magnitude of the association between folate and CHD is consistent with its effects on homocysteine. Curr Opin Lipidol 9:17–22. © 1998 Rapid Science Ltd