High Homocysteine
Homocysteine, a normal breakdown product of the essential amino acid, methionine, is believed to exert several toxic effects. A growing body of evidence suggests that an elevated homocysteine level is a risk factor for heart disease, independent of other known risk factors, such as elevated serum cholesterol and hypertension. The evidence is not all one-sided, however. In some research the link has appeared only in women, and a few scientists still have doubts about the importance of elevations in homocysteine for anyone. The clear association between elevated homocysteine levels and heart disease reported in most studies does not conclusively prove that homocysteine causes heart disease. It might only be a marker for something else that is the real culprit. Nonetheless, many cardiologists take seriously the association between elevations in homocysteine and increased risk of heart disease.
Anger and hostility correlate with the risk of heart disease. A preliminary study found a link between high homocysteine levels and hostility and repressed anger. While anger, hostility, high homocysteine, and heart disease all appear to be tied together, which of these is cause and which is effect remains somewhat unclear.
Increased homocysteine levels may also be a risk factor for the development of many other conditions, including stroke, thromboembolism (blood clots that can dislodge and cause stroke, heart attack, and other complications), osteoporosis, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), Alzheimer’s disease, death from diabetes, miscarriage, other complications of pregnancy, and hypothyroidism.
What are the symptoms of high homocysteine?
Extremely high homocysteine can cause blood clots, rapid bone loss, and, in children, mental retardation. But in general, high homocysteine does not cause symptoms until and unless one of the diseases with which it is associated, appears.
How is it treated?
People with high homocysteine are typically advised to reduce their consumption of processed foods, meat, and saturated fats, because these dietary changes lower the risk of heart disease. In addition, many doctors recommend supplementation with B-complex vitamins containing vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid.
Dietary changes that may be helpful:
Since homocysteine is produced from methionine, intake of large amounts of methionine would presumably increase homocysteine levels. Indeed, ingestion of supplemental methionine is used experimentally as a way to increase homocysteine levels. Foods high in methionine that have also been linked with an increased risk of heart disease include meat and eggs. The extent to which consumption of these foods affects the risk of heart disease as a result of their methionine content remains unknown. |
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