Getting to the Heart of Homocysteine

Homocysteine is an amino acid that helps create proteins and is produced naturally in our bodies. We require homocysteine and we must maintain the correct levels. High levels of homocysteine may make your blood clot more easily than it should, increasing the risk of blood vessel blockages which then lead to other health risks. High homocysteine levels in the blood can also damage the lining of the arteries which can lead to a stroke, heart attack or pulmonary embolism.1 Homocysteine is normally changed into other amino acids for use by the body. Vitamin B helps your body use homocysteine. If your homocysteine level is too high, you may not be getting enough B vitamins.

Maintaining Good Homocysteine Levels

The complex metabolism of homocysteine within the body is highly dependent on certain vitamin factors. Deficiencies in vitamin B12, folic acid and vitamin B6 are associated with raised homocysteine levels. Other factors thought to raise levels are poor diet, poor lifestyle – especially smoking and high coffee and alcohol intake, some prescription drugs, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and poor thyroid function. The level of homocysteine in the plasma is increasingly being recognized as a risk factor for disease and seen as a predictor of potential health problems such as cardiovascular disease, circulation issues and Alzheimer’s. The good news is that homocysteine levels can be tested and high homocysteine levels can, in many cases, be normalized through diet and vitamin supplementation. The most important nutrients that help lower homocysteine levels are folate, the vitamins B12, B6 and B2, zinc and trimethylglycine (TMG).2

Supplements are also a great way to get back to a healthy homocysteine level and to maintain that level.

Testing

Your doctor may suggest homocysteine testing for early detection of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, which may be signs of low homocysteine levels. A homocysteine test is a blood test and you can request this be a part of your annual physical with your primary care provider. In a healthy person, homocysteine levels are around five to 15 micromoles per liter (mcmol/L). Nearly all that homocysteine converts to other proteins. If you have more than 50 mcmol/L, the excess homocysteine may damage the lining of your arteries.3

When homocysteine is too low, you are not making adequate amounts of SAMe OR Cysteine. When you don’t have enough homocysteine to recycle into methionine to make SAM, you do not make enough methyltransferase (ie, you are undermethylating)4

References:

Homocysteine and Strokes

Elevated blood homocysteine concentration increases the risk of stroke, especially among hypertensive individuals. Homocysteine is largely affected by the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism and folate status.5

This does not mean that elevated homocysteine levels mean you are destined to have a stroke, it just means that there is an increased risk for a stroke.

How Do I Prevent a Stroke?

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death for all Americans and a leading cause of serious long-term disability.6

You can help prevent a stroke by living a healthy lifestyle and controlling any health conditions you may already have.

Here are some tips to help reduce the chances of having a stroke:

• Choose healthy foods and drinks.

• Maintain a healthy weight.

• Don’t smoke.

• Get regular physical activity.

Stay Aware of Homocysteine Levels

• Limit alcohol.

• Check your cholesterol level.

• Control your blood pressure level.

We don’t hear a lot about homocysteine, but it is important to keep aware of your homocysteine levels, by checking with a doctor to make it part of your annual blood work or getting an individual test. Supplements like HCY Guard with its complementary nutrients of Choline, L-Cysteine and CoEnzyme Q10 may be very helpful.

1. https://familydoctor.org/high-homocysteine-level-how-it-affects-your-bloodvessels/

2. https://foodforthebrain.org/nutrition-for-healthcare-professionals/ homocysteine-b-vitamins/

3. https://my.clevelandc

4. https://joannekenned

5. Neurosciences - Stroke Facts - UTMB Health

6. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/STROKEAHA.116.015324#