The Dangers of Homocysteine and Heart Disease

In recent years, scientists have discovered a risk factor for heart disease as great as or worse than cholesterol. This risk factor is known as homocysteine. Like cholesterol, homocysteine is a natural substance produced by the body. The problem is that many people lack the ability to break it down properly or completely. In 1997 the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine stated that blood levels of homocysteine was the strongest predictor of coronary heart disease and the easiest to change for the better. Later they reported that blood levels could be decreased to normal with several common vitamin supplements.

When homocysteine is not completely broken down by the body, it becomes a very dangerous substance, causing clotting, oxidization, atherosclerosis and blocked blood flow. Increased blood levels of homocysteine usually indicate faulty methionine metabolism. If this biochemical pathway is defective high homocysteine levels can cause clotting, increased oxidation, and can injure the blood vessel wall, allowing cholesterol and other fats to infiltrate into the wall and create what is called a foam cell; thereby blocking the blood flow and creating blood wall plaque.

When homocysteine is broken down properly, it can supply the body with many necessary substances that in turn aid other normal chemical reactions. For example, processes such as cartilage rebuilding, bone regeneration, liver detoxification, and adrenal gland support come from substances supplied when the normally functioning body breaks down homocysteine.

The supplementation required to correct homocysteine levels in a person’s blood are the B vitamins folate, B3, B6, and B12. Other substances involved in this critical problem are an extract of red beets called betaine, and the minerals molybendum and magnesium.

A major study involving 80,000 nurses over 14 years showed that, for example, for every 200 mcg of folate consumed on a daily basis, heart disease fell by 11%. For every 2 mg of B6, heart disease fell by 17%.

An increased blood homocysteine level has been implicated in the cause of osteoporosis. It has been suggested by the major medical journal, Metabolism, that folic acid could be a useful supplement to prevent osteoporosis. Perhaps it is the effectiveness of folic acid in helping to deal with elevated homocysteine levels that is the link this journal has observed.

A recent large European research project demonstrated that low B6 consumption increased heart disease and stroke by 200%. Stress, excessive exercise, and overcooked food can decrease B vitamins in your body. Vitamin B12 is especially vulnerable to overcooking even in a microwave oven.

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