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Homocysteine Definition

Homocysteine is an amino acid found in the blood that is monitored to help determine the risk of cardiovascular disease. High plasma homocysteine is commonly associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. There are several fairly simple steps that can be taken towards lowering the homocysteine levels in the body, such as eating more fruits and vegetables, or taking a folate supplement prescribed by your doctor along with additional vitamin B-6 and vitamin B-12 supplements.

  1. The Facts

    • High homocysteine levels in the blood can cause many problems. It can damage the lining of the arteries, as well as increasing the chances of blood clots forming. A blood clot can travel through your bloodstream and get stuck in your lungs, heart or brain, which can lead to several potentially fatal results, such as embolism, heart attack or stroke.

    Identification

    • Homocysteine is measured using a simple blood test. The blood test can be administered at any time, and requires no previous preparation. If you are determined to have high amounts of homocysteine, then the next step will be determined by your doctor, who will take all of your risks of cardiovascular disease into account. If you have no other major risks, then your doctor mainly simply take a watchful, waiting approach and monitor the levels closely.

    Considerations

    • Although certain genetic factors influence homocysteine levels, the level of homocysteine in the blood is determined more so by a person's diet than anything else. Folic acid and most of the "B" vitamins, such as B-12 and B-6, work best for breaking down and lowering homocysteine in the body. Foods with a high amount of folic acid include lots of green vegetables, and many grain products, such as cereals and breads.

    Benefits

    • Homocysteine is produced and used naturally by the body in cellular metabolism and the manufacture of proteins. Recent studies show that laboratory testing for plasma homocysteine levels can improve the assessment of risk. This would seem to be especially useful in patients who are predisposed to, or have a personal or family history of, cardiovascular disease.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Eating more fruits and vegetables, as well as many breakfast cereals and other grain products is a great first step in lowering the body's homocysteine levels. Doctors may also suggest taking a folate supplement along with a vitamin B-6 and B-12 supplement. Good sources of vitamin B-6 include potatoes, bananas and chicken, while you can add extra vitamin B-12 to your diet by eating more dairy products, beef and certain types of fish.

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