Homocysteine Introduction   Within the last decade, homocysteine has, arguably, attracted more attention from biochemists than any other amino acid.  Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid produced during the metabolism of the essential amino acid methionine. Because of this, homocysteine may be renewed into methionine.  It may also be converted into either cysteine or taurine via trans-sulphuration.  If specific cofactors are lacking, homocysteine may not be converted into any beneficial compounds within the body.   Homocysteine is toxic in nature, and the accumulation (or build up) of this amino acid will often result in plasma toxicity.  Various epidemiological studies indicate that this homocysteine toxicity, in concurrence with genetic and dietary factors, accounts for the elevated risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. [1]   Figure 1: Factors contributing to individual, "total" homocysteine levels     The most prominent dietary components for homocysteine metabolism include the vitamins pyridoxine (B6), folate (B9), and cobalamins (B12).  Homocysteine is either metabolized by re-methylation or via the trans-sulphuration pathway and may be affected by the availability of these nutrients.  It is also theorized that higher levels of B vitamins are, in part, responsible for lower blood serum levels of homocysteine. More research is, however, is necessary to assess the benefits of vitamin supplementation and it impact on decreasing homocysteine levels.   In addition, homocysteine levels are directly dependant upon the consumption of methionine, and how much of this particular amino acid is metabolized. (See methionine for selected food sources) [2]     Homocysteine Symptoms   Hyperhomocysteinemia, or elevated homocysteine, is linked to the deterioration of the inner linings of arteries and veins.  It is thought that this irritation in the circulatory system hampers the expansion and dilation of blood vessels located throughout the body, causing the initiation of cardiovascular disease.  Cardiovascular disease remains an epidemic, claiming the responsibility for an estimated 44% of all deaths in the United States. Cardiovascular disease manifests itself in many different forms. The arteries of veins become diseased, resulting in the thickening of arterial walls (arteriosclerosis). Proliferation of cells lining the artery with proteins and lipids leads to the development atherosclerotic plaque.  If not recognized or treated, plaques may gather cholesterol and fat, becoming artheromas.  Artheromas cause a distortion in the artery walls allowing for the deposition of calcium.  They can also block the flow of blood to critical organs, which often results in impotency, stroke, heart attack, and possibly, the rupturing of specific arteries or veins (aneurysms).   Coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, myocardial infarction, extracranial carotoid artery, and stenosis are auxiliary conditions associated with cardiovascular disease.   According to various studies, some 40% of stroke victims exhibit signs of homocysteine toxicity.  Homocysteine levels are most elevated in lacunar, hemorrhagic, and embolic type strokes.  Chronic elevations in homocysteine blood levels may cause an obstruction or rupturing of blood vessels in the brain, resulting in stroke.   In recent years, there has been increasing criticism regarding vitamin supplementation and its effectiveness at combating elevated homocysteine levels.  Many individuals using vitamin supplements, in union with a proper diet, ultimately believe that increased supplementation will protect them from the diseases associated with hyperhomocysteinemia.  Research, however, suggests that even supplement users may have homocysteine levels far above the so-called "safe" level.  But is there truly a safe and tolerable level for homocysteine?   Recent scientific findings indicate that there is no perceivable safe and normal range for blood serum levels of homocysteine.  Many independent studies propose that normal homocysteine levels exist within the ranges of 5 to 15 micromoles per liter of blood.  (A mole is an amount of a substance that contains a certain number of molecules or atoms. A micromole is one-millionth of a mole.)  The American Heart Association, in contrast, has declared that homocysteine levels above 6.3 micromoles per liter of blood cause a "progressive" risk towards heart attack and other irregular conditions of the heart. [3]   Risk For Coronary Artery Disease Serum Homocysteine (micromoles per liter of blood) Lowest risk: 0-6.3   Moderate risk: 6.3-10   Highest risk: Over 10 [4]     Treatments/Supplements helpful for Elevated Homocysteine   Nearly 40% of all Americans supplemented with vitamins in 2000. [5]  This figure has unquestionably increased in the past half decade.  With the average American homocysteine level at 10 micromoles per liter of blood, one must question the effectiveness of dietary supplements in suppressing dangerously high homocysteine levels. [6]   A promising 14 year follow-up study (dubbed the Nurses' Health Study) included over 80,000 women and chronicled the number of nonfatal and fatal cases of coronary heart disease. [7]  These women provided detailed information on diet and vitamin supplements at the beginning of trial.  The goal of the study was to evaluate the correlation between increased intakes of vitamins, especially B vitamins, and heart disease.  The results were as follows: Women consuming the highest intake of folate (B9) reduced their incidence of disease by 31%.  Vitamin B6 users exhibited a 33% reduction in risk.  Finally, women supplementing with increased levels of both B9 and B6 reduced the risk of heart disease by nearly 46%.   Another case study involved a healthy adult male who supplemented with 500 milligrams of trimethylglycine, 4000 micrograms of folic acid, and other vitamins.  A blood test revealed homocysteine levels far above what is universally accepted as tolerable [11.3].  Following a daily regimented supplement program, his levels dropped below 6 within 60 days.  This study suggests that persons at high risk for the development of diseases of the heart must be certain to obtain enough folic acid, B6, and B12 via diet, or through nutritional supplements. [8]   Measuring blood levels of homocysteine through scrutinized laboratory testing is the only way one can determine if he/she is achieving the proper nutrients to adequately reduce elevated homocysteine levels.  These blood tests can improve ones assessment of personal risk, providing useful information about methylation and vitamin status, as well as determining levels of toxic homocysteine.  As previously stated, certain scientific studies have indicated that elevated blood serum levels of homocysteine are a marker for the potential development of cardiovascular and other degenerative diseases.  These tests may be particularly beneficial to high risk individuals, or those people with a family history of stroke, heart disease, and Alzheimer's.  Persons who smoke, suffer from high blood cholesterol, and high blood pressure are also advised to monitor homocysteine levels through testing.   In conclusion, supplementation alone may not lower elevated homocysteine levels. Diet may prove as the greatest determinant in the elevation of blood homocysteine levels.  The consensus by many researches is that eating right, taking a multivitamin, exercising, and receiving blood tests to determine personal homocysteine levels, provides the most accurate and best method of protecting one's self against the affects of homocysteine toxicity.     Homocysteine Deficiencies   Deficiencies caused by amino acid imbalance may promote the elevation of homocysteine levels throughout the body.  Higher homocysteine levels are often paralleled with an underlying deficiency of methionine.  This deficiency is critical, as methylation is paramount in the repair of DNA.  If this reparation does not take place, the DNA structure is compromised, resulting in accelerated aging. [9]  Methionine is also required by the liver as a detoxifier, and is critical in the formation of new cells. Homocysteine interferes with the methylation processes needed to complete these tasks, while promoting oxidative stress upon cellular structures located throughout the body.   Severe abbreviations in the methylation cycle may also contribute to dementia of the Alzheimer's type.  Again, elevated homocysteine levels are found in methionine deficiencies, and interruptions in the methylation cycle as the result of this deficiency may result in brain damage and/or neurological impairments. [10]  The health of the myelin sheath, and reparation of DNA in the brain is dependant on proper methylation processes.  A severe elevation of homocysteine levels in Alzheimer's patients may be indicative of a severe disruption in the methylation pathways within the brain.   Elevated homocysteine levels may also be an indicator of homocystinuria, a rare autosomal recessive disease often accompanied by the onset of osteoporosis.  This may provide understanding of the relationship between the elevation of homocysteine levels and age-related osteoporotic fractures. [11]  Recent studies of individuals 55 years of age or older, have assessed the risk between circulating homocysteine levels and the probability of osteoporotic fracture.  The results found that a severe and chronic elevation of homocysteine levels were an autonomous risk factor for osteoporotic fractures in older men and women. [12, 13]   Supplements demonstrating effectiveness in lowering homocysteine levels (alone or in combination):   Supplement Dosage in Micro- and Milligrams Folic Acid 800-5000  mcg per day Vitamin B12 1000-3000  mcg per day Vitamin B6 100-500  mg per day Zinc 30-90  mg per day Choline 250-3000  mg per day Trimethylglycine (TMG) 500-9000  mg per day SAMe 200-800 mg per day Inositol 250-1000 mg per day       Return to Supplements Index

Search by Health Condition: --- Select a Condition --- Acid Reflux Acne AIDS and HIV Aging Allergies Alzheimers Anemia Angina Arthritis (OA) Arthritis (RA) Asthma ADHD Autism Bad Breath Breast Cancer Burns Candidiasis Carpal Tunnel Celiac Disease Cellulitis Cerebral Palsy Cervical Dysplasia Cholesterol Chronic Bronchitis CFS Cognitive Function Colds and Flu Cold Sores CHF Constipation Chronic Cough Crohns Disease Cystic Fibrosis Depression Diabetes Type 1 Diabetes Type 2 Diarrhea Diverticular Disease Downs Syndrome Eating Disorders Eczema Emphysema Endometriosis Epilepsy Erectile Dysfunction Fatigue Fibroids Fibromyalgia FLU Gallstones Glaucoma Gout Halitosis Hair Loss Heartburn Hemorrhoids Herpes Simplex Herpes Zoster Hyperlipidemia Hypertension Hyperthyroidism Hypoglycemia Hypothyroidism Impotence Influenza Insomnia IBS Kidney Stones Liver Disease Lupus Macular Degeneration Menopause Migraines Mononucleosis Multiple Sclerosis Obesity Ocular Health Osteoarthritis Osteoporosis Otitis Media Pancreatitis Pain Parkinsons PID PUD Periodontal Disease PMS Pneumonia Prostate Health Psoriasis Raynauds disease RLS RA SAD Shingles Sinusitis Stress TMJD Tuberculosis Ulcerative Colitis UTI Vaginitis Varicose veins Vertigo Vitiligo Search by Supplement: --- Select a Supplement--- 5-HTP ALC Alanine Aloe Vera Alpha GPC ALA American Ginseng Amino Acids Androstenedione Arabinoxylane Arginine Arnica Artichoke Ashwagandha Asparagine Aspartic Acid Astragalus Bacopa Barberry Bee Pollen Bee Propolis Beta Glucan Beta Carotene Betaine HCL Bifidobacterium Bilberry Biotin Bitter Melon Black Cohosh Bladderwrack Boron Boswellia BCAAs Brewers Yeast Bromelain Burdock Calcium Calendula Carnosine Cartilage Cascara Sagrada Cats Claw Cayenne CMO Chamomile Chasteberry Chitosan Chloride Choline Chondroitin Chromium Citrulline Coenzyme Q10 Coleus Colostrum Comfrey CLA Copper Cordyceps Cranberry Creatine Cyclo Cysteine Cystine Dandelion Leaf Dandelion Root Deer Antler Velvet DHEA Devils Claw Digestive Enzymes DMAE DMG DHA Dong Quai Echinacea EPA Elder Eleuthero English Ivy Ephedra Eucalyptus Evening Primrose Feverfew Fiber Fish Oil Flaxseed Fluoride Folic Acid FOS GABA GLA Gamma oryzanol Garcinia Garlic Ginger Gingko Glucosamine Glutamic Acid Glutamine Glutathione Glycine Goldenseal Gotu Kola Grapefruit Seed Grape Seed Extract Green Tea Guggul Gymnema Hawthorn Histidine Hops Horse Chestnut Horsetail Huperzine A Inositol Iodine Iron Isoleucine Kava Lactobacillus Acidophilus Larch Arabinogalactan L-Carnitine L Dopa Lemon Balm Leucine Lecithin Licorice Lutein Lycopene Lysine Magnesium Malic acid Manganese Mastic Melatonin Methionine MSM Milk Thistle Minerals Molybdenum NAC NADH Noni Olive Leaf Omega 3 Omega 6 Oregano Panax ginseng Passion Flower Pau Darco Peppermint Oil Phellodendron Phenylalanine Phosphatidylcholine Phosphatidylserine Phosphorus Phyllanthus Picrorrhiza Policosanol Potassium Proline Psyllium Pygeum Pyruvate Quercetin Red Clover Reshi Rhodiola Rosacea SAM-E Saw Palmetto Schisandra Selenium Serine Shiitake Silicon Sodium Soy Isoflavones Spirulina Sterols Stinging Nettle St Johns Wort Sulfur Taurine Tea Tree Oil Theanine Threonine Tocotrienols Tryptophan Turmeric Tylophora Tyrosine Uva Ursi Valerian Valine Vanadium Vinpocetine Vitamin A Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Vitamin B12 Vitamin C Vitamin D Vitamin E Homocysteine Yarrow Zeaxanthin Zinc Subscribe to our Newsletter:   Free health information emailed to you daily.   Name: Email: Sponsors:

Copyright  - All Rights Reserved - www.supplementnews.org DISCLAIMER: The information contained within this page should not be used to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.

Recommended Resources | Link to Us