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Heart disease & homocysteine: What's the connection? | ||
(Added Sept, 15th 2007)What is homocysteine?Homocysteine (say: ho-mo-sist-een) is an amino acid (a building block of protein) that is produced in the human body. Why is homocysteine harmful?Excessive Homocysteine...o Injures the inner lining of blood vessel walls. o Oxidizes LDL cholesterol, making it more likely to stick to injured blood vessels. o Accelerates the growth of smooth muscle cells, narrowing blood vessels. o Induces oxidative stress and impairs the ability of blood vessels to expand and contract. o Increases blood clot formation, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. High levels of homocysteine have been linked to the development of a number of common and potentially fatal conditions including coronary heart disease and dementia. Also, high levels in the blood can cause cholesterol to change to something called oxidized low-density lipoprotein, which damages the arteries. In addition, high levels of homocysteine may make blood clot more easily than it should. This can increase the risk of blood vessel blockages. A blockage might cause you to have a stroke. It might also make a problem with blood flow, such as atherosclerosis, worse. Homocysteine has also been shown to play a crucial role as a key marker for disease development determining longevity and health throughout a person’s life. Underachievement in adolescenceA recent unpublished study among Swedish school children aged between 9 and 15 suggested that elevated levels of homocysteine could have a direct impact on achievement at school and neuro-cognitive function. Both the total sum of school grades and the grades achieved on 10 core subjects were significantly and negatively associated with elevated levels of plasma homocysteine.The Middle YearsCoronary Heart Disease – Homocysteine is believed to be an influence on the development of cardiovascular disease and the subsequent likelihood of suffering heart attacks (myocardial infarctions - MI’s). Homocysteine has the ability to change cholesterol into a far more sinister version which attacks artery walls. As the arteries become damaged other cells stick until they become clogged, thickened and less flexible (atherosclerosis). Homocysteine also makes the blood clot more easily so it is more likely to form a blockage and cause a heart attack.Stroke – Like heart attacks, strokes are considered to be a type of cardiovascular disease and greatly influenced by high homocysteine levels. Strokes affect the arteries leading to and from the brain and can be caused by either a blood clot or a blood vessel rupturing. These both in turn, block vital oxygen and nutrients reaching the brain, starving cells and causing potentially irreparable damage. Diabetes – People with diabetes are at risk of having high homocysteine as abnormally raised body insulin levels (which control the sugar content of the blood) make it very difficult for the body to lower and maintain healthy levels of homocysteine. Additionally, homocysteine has been shown to have a far more powerful effect on diabetics than non-diabetics. Elevated homocysteine combined with diabetes results in a 90% increased risk of mortality within 5 years in comparison to non-diabetics with high homocysteine levels. Coronary Heart Disease – Homocysteine is believed to be a causal influence on the development of cardiovascular disease and the subsequent likelihood of suffering heart attacks (myocardial infarctions - MI’s). Homocysteine has the ability to change cholesterol into a far more sinister version which attacks artery walls. As the arteries become damaged other cells stick until they become clogged, thickened and less flexible (atherosclerosis). Homocysteine also makes the blood clot more easily so it is more likely to form a blockage and cause a heart attack. Osteoporosis - Osteoporosis, a condition where the density of bone-mass decreases leading to fragile, weakened bones, has been strongly linked to homocystinuria (elevated urinary homocysteine) and associated with high homocysteine levels. Postmenopausal women are particularly at risk from low estrogens levels. This in turn appears to raise homocysteine and increase the chance of developing osteoporosis later on in life. The later years.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia - After 80 years of age, 20% of people develop dementia, the most common form being Alzheimer’s disease.As homocysteine levels increase, DNA within the brain is attacked by oxygen, damaged and eventually killed off, with the body less able to repair damaged brain cells. Over time memory loss increases as more and more cells die. Alzheimer’s disease is responsible for 55% of all dementia cases. The link between homocysteine and Alzheimer’s was first hypothesized in 1992. Scientists at Oxford University have since discovered exceptionally high blood levels of homocysteine in patients who later had post-mortem confirmation of Alzheimer’s disease. How is the homocysteine level measured, and what do the results mean?Homocysteine is measured using a simple blood test. It can be measured at any time of day. You don't have to prepare in any special way for the blood test.A healthy homocysteine level is less than 12 µmol per L. A level greater than 12 µmol per L is considered high. How can I lower a high homocysteine level?Eating more fruits and vegetables (especially leafy green vegetables) can help lower your homocysteine level by increasing how much folate you get in your diet. Good sources of folate include many breakfast cereals, lentils, asparagus, spinach and most beans.If adjusting your diet is not enough to lower your homocysteine, your doctor may suggest that you take a folate supplement. You may also need to take a vitamin B-6 and vitamin B-12 supplement. A B-Complex should give you all the B vitamins in ample amounts. What happens next?If you start taking folate or vitamin B supplements, you should have your homocysteine level rechecked after 8 weeks. If your homocysteine level remains high, your doctor may have you try a higher dose. You may need to have some tests to see if you have a health condition that causes high homocysteine levels. If you have had a high homocysteine level, you will probably need to have your level checked regularly (2 or 3 times a year).Author: Steve Hartsfield I have been an avid bodybuilder for the past 15 years and have previously been a personal trainer. The information provided here, although researched, is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. | ||
