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Homocysteine Dangers

Homocysteine is an amino acid. Homocysteine levels become elevated in the blood when the body has significant deficiencies of folic acid (vitamin B9), vitamin B12 and vitamin B6. However, homocysteine levels can also become elevated by increasing age, pre-existing kidney impairment and other genetic factors. Elevated homocysteine levels in the blood have been linked to higher rates of disease.

  1. Testing Homocysteine Levels

    • A simple blood test from your doctor can measure homocysteine levels in the body. The Life Extension Foundation has published many articles stating that high levels of homocysteine are dangerous if you have a history of blood vessel blockage or cardiovascular disease, and action needs to be taken immediately to lower it. According to the American Heart Association, there is a link between high levels of homocysteine and an increased risk of heart attack.

    Increased Homocysteine Levels

    • According to Medicine.net, homocysteine levels are significantly increased when there are vitamin B deficiencies. More than 25 percent of the adult population in the United States does not get an adequate amount of B vitamins in their diet.

    Dangers

    • The National Library of medicine has a large number of scientific studies that show numerous dangers in having high homocysteine levels. The disease risks that have been shown to have a correlation with elevated levels of homocysteine are heart disease, stroke, blood clotting, early onset coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis and pediatric atherosclerosis, peripheral vascular disease, birth defects cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, cervical cancer, depression, complications during pregnancy, kidney disease, bone weakness and Alzheimer's disease.

    Vitamin B foods

    • Vitamin B can be found in foods such as eggs, scallops, beans, beef, lamb, poultry, venison, salmon and snapper. Vegetarians almost always do not get the recommended amount of vitamin B in their diet and should take vitamin B12 supplements to stay healthy. According to medlineplus.com, a person is more prone to vitamin B12 deficiencies if they are over the age of 50, use birth control pills, have exposure to nitrous oxide, have weight loss surgery, are being treated for cancer, and use antacids, metformin or anti-ulcer medications.

    Vitamin b deficiency

    • According to the American Heart Association, when a body lacks vitamin B, a person can develop pernicious anemia, which can ultimately increase the risk of having a heart attack and stroke, increase stomach cancer risk, cause brain shrinkage resulting in Alzheimer's and dementia, cause muscle weakness, headaches, and raise the risk of cervical and breast cancer. Increasing vitamin B intake is an important weapon you can use to lower high levels of homocysteine in the body.

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