Heart health spotlight on homocysteine
9 Sep 2010

Heart Health: Spotlight on Homocysteine

2 mins to read
Poor heart health is largely preventable and more and more people are aware of modifiable risk factors like smoking, obesity, poor nutrition and physical inactivity. But have you heard of homocysteine? Naturopath Kate Ferguson discusses what you need to know about this risk factor for poor heart health.


What is homocysteine?

Homocysteine is an amino acid that is formed during the metabolism of the amino acid methionine into cysteine. Found in the blood, there is increasing evidence that raised levels of homocysteine may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). What is still unclear however is whether high homocysteine levels are the cause or result of CVD.

One thought is that elevated homocysteine levels may contribute to heart disease through damage to the lining of blood vessels and promoting deposits of LDL, commonly referred to as the ‘bad’ cholesterol, in the arteries.

The homocysteine test

Homocysteine levels are measured by a blood test that is ordered by your healthcare professional. As it is not a routine test, it is usually ordered as part of a cardiac risk assessment. Normal findings are generally considered to be 4-14 µmol/L.

What Increases Homocysteine?

While homocysteine’s role in heart health is still not fully understood, there are some known factors that can increase its levels. These include:

  • Coffee
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol
  • Deficiencies of some B vitamins

In addition there can be a genetic predisposition to elevated homocysteine levels and some medications may also increase the level or affect the way that homocysteine is metabolised.

The B Vitamins

Vitamins B6, B12 and folate (folic acid) are required for the proper functioning of enzymes involved in the metabolism of methionine to cysteine. Suboptimal levels of these vitamins may lead to elevated levels of homocysteine.

When taken in combination, vitamins B6, B12 and folate may help to reduce elevated homocysteine levels.

Dietary sources of these essential nutrients include dark green leafy vegetables, whole grains and legumes for folate and vitamin B6. Vitamin B12 can be found in lean red meat, fish and seafood.

Garlic

Garlic has a long tradition of use for its positive benefits on heart health and is commonly used to help lower fats in the blood. Homocysteine levels may be lowered with the help of an aged garlic extract.

References available on request



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