Do you remember homocysteine? In past Health Alerts, you saw the evidence for using your homocysteine level in your blood as an indicator of heart disease.
Recently, there has been an effort by the big drug makers to play down the importance of this critical factor. They haven’t figured out a way to make any money from it, so they try to convince you that it doesn’t matter.
Yet, quite to the contrary, today, you’ll see why knowing your homocysteine level is even more useful than we thought. Homocysteine can foretell a host of other diseases as well. And here’s the good news: it’s easy to keep your level low.
The Proof is Overwhelming
Homocysteine is a naturally occurring amino acid. But too much of it irritates the lining of your blood vessels and prevents them from dilating. This increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.
A recent study found that levels of homocysteine were dramatically higher in men who died from heart attacks. They discovered that men with high levels were four times more likely to suffer a fatal heart attack than those with lower levels.[1]
In Norway, doctors studied men with heart disease for six years. Again, they found that those with high levels of homocysteine suffered the highest number of heart attacks. The higher their levels the lower their chances of surviving.[2]
But their most startling discovery is that homocysteine levels are the strongest predictor of death. More so than any other measured factor – including cholesterol.
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High levels of homocysteine can also alert you to other problems and potential diseases including:
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Diseases and Conditions Linked to High Levels of Homocysteine |
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Kidney Disease |
Psoriasis |
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Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia |
Hypothyroidism |
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Rheumatoid Arthritis |
Gout |
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Depression |
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, (SLE) |
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HIV/AIDS |
Cancer |
As you can see, many of these conditions don’t have a direct link to heart disease or stroke. Yet my own experience backs up the evidence.
The connection between high homocysteine and an under active thyroid is also critical. Many times doctors fail to recognize thyroid problems. The result can leave patients with fatigue, migraines and depression. (Stay tuned… an upcoming Health Alert will give you a new insight into thyroid problems.)
If you don’t know your homocysteine level, I recommend you have it checked. A simple blood test will give you an accurate reading.
A level above 10.4 mM/L is abnormally high. I generally shoot for a goal of below 7 with my patients.
The easiest way to lower your homocysteine is with a B vitamin supplement.
Here’s what I recommend:
- Vitamin B6 – 75 mg daily.
- Vitamin B12 – 400 mcg daily.
- Folic Acid – 800 mcg daily.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD
P.S. – Unlike drug therapy, lowering your homocysteine with B vitamins can have beneficial “side effects”. Some of my patients have reported improved mood and relief from dry skin and psoriasis.
[1] Wald NJ, et al. Homocysteine and ischemic heart disease: results of a prospective study with implications regarding prevention. Arch Intern Med. 1998; 158:862-7. [2] Nygard O, et al. Plasma homocysteine levels and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease. New Engl J Med, 1997, 337:230-6.