How to reduce homocysteine levels to improve your health?
To reduce your homocysteine levels, you should eat more of the following foods:
- Spinach (great source of so many nutrients including folic acid, vitamin K, carotenoids, manganese, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin E, calcium, and vitamin C)
- Citrus fruits (great source of folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin B1, and potassium.)
- Whole grain products (abundant in the vitamins B1, B2, B3, folic acid, iron, magnesium, and selenium).
How to reduce homocysteine levels?
#8 Stress Management
- Omega 3 Fatty Acid. They can promote myelin regeneration, stimulate the vagus nerve, aid in the recovery of brain damage, and support the endocannabinoid system.
- Smoking. Smoking and second-hand cigarette smoke can raise homocysteine levels. ...
- Alcoholic Beverages. ...
- Limited Use of Medications. ...
- Regulation of Thyroid Hormone. ...
How to lower your homocysteine level?
- Low protein intake: need to make sure you are eating adequate protein. ...
- Low sulfur intake: if one does not consume enough sulfur-containing foods, homocysteine will break down in order to provide much needed cysteine for the body. ...
- Poor digestion and absorption of protein: eating protein is step one. ...
How to treat elevated homocysteine levels?
The following nutrients may help to lower homocysteine levels:
- betaine
- folic acid
- vitamin B2
- vitamin B6
- vitamin B12
- zinc
What are the symptoms of high homocysteine levels?
Elevated homocysteine symptomspale skin.weakness.fatigue.tingling sensations (like pins and needles) in the hands, arms, legs, or feet.dizziness.mouth sores.mood changes.
What causes homocysteine levels to elevate?
Most people who have a high homocysteine level don't get enough folate (also called folic acid), vitamin B6, or vitamin B12 in their diet. Replacing these vitamins often helps return the homocysteine level to normal. Other possible causes of a high homocysteine level include: Low levels of thyroid hormone.
How can I lower my homocysteine levels naturally?
Folic acid and vitamins B-6 and B-12 have been shown to have the greatest effect at breaking down harmful homocysteine from within the body. Foods rich in folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12 include: Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, savoy cabbage, curly kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and asparagus.
What food is high in homocysteine?
Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that the body produces from another amino acid, called methionine. Foods that are high in methionine include meat, egg whites, and seafood. Homocysteine is usually found in very small amounts in your body.
What is the treatment for high homocysteine?
If you have high homocysteine levels, your healthcare provider may recommend taking supplements of: Vitamin B6. Vitamin B12. Folic acid (the human-made form of folate).
What happens if homocysteine is high?
If your results show high homocysteine levels, it may mean: You are not getting enough vitamin B12, B6, or folic acid in your diet. You are at a higher risk of heart disease. Homocystinuria.
Does coffee raise homocysteine levels?
Coffee increased homocysteine concentrations in 24 of 26 individuals. Circulating concentrations of vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and folate were unaffected. Conclusion: Drinking large quantities of paper-filtered coffee raises fasting plasma concentrations of total homocysteine in healthy individuals.
Which vitamins reduce homocysteine?
Nutrients involved in the metabolism of homocysteine include folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, riboflavin, and choline. Although supplementation with folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 successfully lowers homocysteine concentration in the blood, no significant effect on CVD risk has been demonstrated.
Does fasting lower homocysteine?
Homocysteine levels, being still in reference ranges, were low during Ramadan (p < 0.05) and reached the pre-fasting levels after Ramadan. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that intermittent fasting led to some beneficial changes in serum HDL and plasma homocysteine levels, and the coagulation status.
Do eggs raise homocysteine?
Conclusions: Dietary intervention with egg protein prevented elevated circulating homocysteine concentrations in a rat model of hyperhomocysteinemia, due in part to upregulation of hepatic BHMT. These data may support the inclusion of egg protein for dietary recommendations targeting hyperhomocysteinemia prevention.
Does stress increase homocysteine levels?
The study of 34 middle-aged women found that brief periods of stress increased blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine. Research over the past 20 years has found that an even moderately elevated level of homocysteine is a risk factor for heart disease in both men and women.
What is a normal homocysteine level?
The normal range of homocysteine levels are less than 15 micromoles per liter (mcmol/L). Higher levels are: Moderate (15 to 30 mcmol/L)
Is homocysteine an inflammatory marker?
Since inflammation promotes cell proliferation at the expense of excess vitamins leading to hyperhomocysteinemia, therefore, homocysteine can be used as a marker of inflammation to indicate the presence of inflammation.
Does coffee raise homocysteine levels?
Coffee increased homocysteine concentrations in 24 of 26 individuals. Circulating concentrations of vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and folate were unaffected. Conclusion: Drinking large quantities of paper-filtered coffee raises fasting plasma concentrations of total homocysteine in healthy individuals.
Does high homocysteine levels cause anxiety?
Researchers have also reported that increased homocysteine levels elevate the anxiety effects by direct neurotoxic effects (Bisschops et al., 2004; Kruman et al., 2000; Sachdev, 2004), reducing the synthesis of neurotransmitters due to decreased and nonrecycling of s-adenosyl methionine (Bottiglieri et al., 1992, 2000) ...
Why is homocysteine elevated?
Increased levels of homocysteine can have a negative impact on your health, but what causes elevated homocysteine levels? Most commonly, an inadequate intake of B vitamins in combination with genetic factors can affect the body’s absorption and use of folic acid, which causes homocysteine levels to spike.
How Are Elevated Homocysteine Levels Determined?
Homocysteine levels are commonly checked through blood tests, though doctors may also order urine samples for infants with a family history of the condition.
How to treat elevated homocysteine levels?
When patients are diagnosed with elevated levels of homocysteine, and it’s found to be the cause or irritant of these conditions, they can often be treated by simply consuming the right foods and taking supplements.
Does homocysteine cause preeclampsia?
Increased homocysteine has been more prevalent among women that have experienced pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, placental abruption, recurrent pregnancy loss, and giving birth to a small, low birthweight baby.
Is homocysteine elevated in Alzheimer's?
Those that experience elevated homocysteine may be at a higher risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism as well as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Does homocysteine cause heart attacks?
High concentrations of homocysteine have a connection with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. These increased levels can contribute to plaque formation by damaging arterial walls and affect blood platelets by increasing the risk of clot formation.
Is homocysteine a metabolic byproduct?
Homocysteine is a metabolic byproduct of an amino acid called methionine. It probably doesn’t sound serious, but elevated homocysteine levels can have quite an effect on your health. It’s associated with an increased risk of various chronic diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
What conditions and disorders affect homocysteine?
Typically, homocysteine breaks down into other substances, and only small amounts of homocysteine remain in your blood. Some conditions interfere with this process and leave you with high homocysteine levels.
What happens if I have too much homocysteine?
In a healthy person, homocysteine levels are around five to 15 micromoles per liter (mcmol/L). Nearly all that homocysteine converts to other proteins.
What is homocysteine?
Homocysteine is an amino acid. Amino acids are chemicals in your blood that help create proteins. Vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and vitamin B9 (folate) break down homocysteine to generate other chemicals your body needs.
What are the risks of high homocysteine levels?
Without treatment, elevated homocysteine levels can lead to severe health complications. Too much homocysteine increases your risk for:
What do the results of a homocysteine blood test mean?
Unusual homocysteine levels do not necessarily mean you have a medical condition. Other factors can affect your homocysteine blood levels, including:
Why do you need a homocysteine test?
You may need a homocysteine test if you have a high risk of heart disease. You may also need a homocysteine blood test if you have symptoms of a vitamin B deficiency. Common symptoms of vitamin B deficiencies include: Dizziness. Fatigue.
What vitamins break down homocysteine?
Vitamins B12, B6 and folate break down homocysteine to create other chemicals your body needs. High homocysteine levels may mean you have a vitamin deficiency. Without treatment, elevated homocysteine increases your risks for dementia, heart disease and stroke. Appointments & Access.
What causes high homocysteine levels?
Many factors contribute to high homocysteine levels. If you have a folate or B vitamin deficiency, you may develop hyperhomocysteinemia.
What does high homocysteine levels mean?
High homocysteine levels usually indicate a deficiency in vitamin B-12 or folate. A normal level of homocysteine in the blood is less ...
What to do if your homocysteine is high?
If your homocysteine levels are still high after taking these supplements, your doctor may prescribe medications with higher levels of folic acid and vitamin B. If you have developed hyperhomocysteinemia as a symptom from other health conditions, treatment will focus on the underlying condition.
What is the normal level of homocysteine in blood?
A normal level of homocysteine in the blood is less than 15 micromoles per liter (mcmol/L) of blood. Higher levels of homocysteine are split into three main categories: Moderate: 15-30 mcmol/L. Intermediate: 30-100 mcmol/L. Severe: greater than 100 mcmol/L.
What happens if you test positive for homocysteine?
Complications. If you test positive for elevated homocysteine levels, you could be at an increased risk of developing a number of health issues. Some common conditions associated with high homocysteine are: osteoporosis, or bone thinning. atherosclerosis, or a buildup of fats and other substances in the arterial walls.
Can you lower homocysteine levels?
While it’s possible to lower high homocysteine levels, there’s not enough research to determine whether treatment can prevent associated diseases. If diagnosed with hyperhomocysteinemia, discuss your treatment options with your doctor. Proper treatment and some lifestyle changes can help to ensure a higher quality of life.
Can homocysteine be elevated in children?
Elevated homocysteine symptoms. Hyperhomocysteinemia itself usually does not cause any symptoms in adults, though it can in children. Symptoms can also vary from one person to the next and be subtle. Doctors may order a homocysteine test if they suspect you have a vitamin deficiency, and if you begin exhibiting symptoms of a vitamin deficiency.
What are the causes of high homocysteine levels?
Potential conditions associated with high homocysteine levels include: 1 osteoporosis, which occurs when bones become weaker 2 Parkinson’s disease, which is a disorder of the central nervous system 3 dementia 4 multiple sclerosis, which is an autoimmune disease that attacks the spinal cord and the brain 5 stroke 6 epilepsy 7 eclampsia, which is the onset of seizures caused due to high blood pressure 8 aortic aneurysm, which occurs when an abnormal bulge develops in the aorta 9 cardiovascular disease 10 heart attack 11 atherosclerosis, which is an arterial disease 12 cancer 13 end stage renal disease 14 hypothyroidism, which is when the body is unable to produce thyroid hormones
What does it mean when your homocysteine level is high?
High or elevated homocysteine levels could indicate a person has a vitamin deficiency or has an increased risk factor for cardiovascular disease and several other conditions. In rare cases, homocysteine could be due to homocystinuria, which is a genetic disease that doctors may test for in a newborn. Homocystinuria means that the body is not able ...
What does high homocysteine levels indicate?
High homocysteine levels may indicate deficiencies in vitamins B-6 and B-12 and folate. found that there is a correlation between higher levels of homocysteine levels and deficiencies in folate and developing cancer. But scientists are unable to predict what type of cancer a person may be at risk for.
Why do people have low homocysteine levels?
Abnormal homocysteine levels may indicate that a person has a deficiency in specific vitamins or a higher chance of developing certain medical conditions. Most people have low homocysteine levels because the body breaks down the amino acid into usable compounds.
Why do you need to have your homocysteine level checked?
A doctor may also recommend that a person has their homocysteine levels tested if they are at increased risk for heart disease or stroke or have a history of heart attacks and require monitoring. A homocysteine test involves drawing blood.
Why do they run a homocysteine test?
They may also run the test if the person already has risk factors for heart disease. If a person’s test results come back with high levels of homocysteine, a doctor may need to run additional tests to determine the underlying cause. In some cases, it may be due to not getting enough nutrients.
How high is homocysteine?
They also consider homocysteine levels measuring between 13–60 μmol/L as moderately high, ...
What Are The Causes Of Elevated Homocysteine?
An inadequate intake of B vitamins, as well as genetic factors that affect the body’s absorption and use of folic acid, can lead to elevated homocysteine levels. If this is the case, your intake of folic acid has to be higher than the RDA of 400 mcg. Other contributors to elevated homocysteine levels include stress and coffee consumption: the more coffee you drink, the higher your homocysteine levels are likely to be. The stress-induced neurotransmitters epinephrine and norepinephrine are metabolized in the liver via a process that uses methyl groups. This can also increase the need for folic acid. In addition, elevated homocysteine levels may be due to low levels of thyroid hormone, kidney disease, psoriasis and some medications.
How Is Elevated Homocysteine Diagnosed?
Homocysteine levels are checked via blood tests. Physicians may order the test for patients who have a family history of heart disease but no other risk factors, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. These tests aren’t done routinely, are not widely available, and their cost (about $100) may not be covered by health insurance. A normal homocysteine level is between 4.4 and 10.8 micromoles per liter of blood.
What Is The Conventional Treatment Of Elevated Homocysteine?
There is no treatment for elevated homocysteine apart from efforts to lower your levels by increasing your intake of B vitamins through the eating of more green leafy vegetables, fruits and more grain-based foods fortified with folic acid. So far, studies to determine whether lowering homocysteine levels can reduce the risk of heart disease haven’t shown a benefit, but this may be because the studies were too small or because homocysteine levels weren’t lowered enough.
What Therapies Does Dr. Weil Recommend For Elevated Homocysteine?
To lower homocysteine levels, Dr. Weil recommends increasing your intake of B vitamins, particularly folate, and moderating stress. The richest food sources of folate (the form of folic acid found in food) are green vegetables, orange juice and beans. Dr. Weil also recommends taking a multivitamin that gives you 400 micrograms of folic acid in addition to what you might get from your diet. (Some people might absorb this vitamin better in supplement form, which Dr. Weil considers good insurance.) To reduce stress, Dr. Weil advises practicing breathing exercises, meditation and mind-body exercises such as yoga.
What is the role of homocysteine in blood?
Elevated homocysteine levels are thought to contribute to plaque formation by damaging arterial walls. High levels may also act on blood platelets and increase ...
What hormones are metabolized in the liver?
The stress-induced neurotransmitters epinephrine and norepinephrine are metabolized in the liver via a process that uses methyl groups. This can also increase the need for folic acid. In addition, elevated homocysteine levels may be due to low levels of thyroid hormone, kidney disease, psoriasis and some medications.
What is the function of homocysteine?
One of methionine’s main functions is to provide methyl groups for cellular reactions. A methyl group is a chemical fragment consisting of one carbon and three hydrogen atoms. When methionine donates a methyl group ...
What is the cause of hyperhomocysteinemia?
The main cause of hyperhomocysteinemia is a dysfunction of enzymes and cofactors associated with the process of homocysteine biosynthesis. Other causes include excessive methionine intake, certain diseases and side effects of some drugs.
Is hyperhomocysteinemia a trigger for Alzheimer's?
Hyperhomocystein emia is a trigger for many diseases, such as atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, age-related macular degeneration, Alzheimer's disease and hearing loss. There are many studies showing a positive relationship between homocysteine level and various symptoms. We speculate that a high level of homocysteine can be ...
Is homocysteine a risk factor for cardiovascular disease?
In the last 10 years, homocysteine has been regarded as a marker of cardiovascular disease and a definite risk factor for many other diseases. Homocysteine is biosynthesized from methionine through multiple steps and then goes through one of two major metabolic pathways: remethylation and transsulfuration. Hyperhomocysteinemia is a state in which too much homocysteine is present in the body. The main cause of hyperhomocysteinemia is a dysfunction of enzymes and cofactors associated with the process of homocysteine biosynthesis. Other causes include excessive methionine intake, certain diseases and side effects of some drugs. Hyperhomocysteinemia is a trigger for many diseases, such as atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, age-related macular degeneration, Alzheimer's disease and hearing loss. There are many studies showing a positive relationship between homocysteine level and various symptoms. We speculate that a high level of homocysteine can be the sole reason or an aggravating factor in numerous diseases for which causal links are not fully understood.
Why is homocysteine high?
When homocysteine is too high. In addition to the influence of genetic mutations, such as the MTHFR mutation, that can cause elevated homocysteine levels, (1) homocysteine can also rise too high due to lifestyle. Certain medications, a poor diet, toxin exposure, hormone imbalances, and stress can all influence homocysteine.
What are the causes of homocysteine?
Certain medications, a poor diet, toxin exposure, hormone imbalances, and stress can all influence homocysteine. Another major contributor is a deficiency in B vitamins. B vitamins from food and supplements act as methyl donors that help keep your body’s homocysteine at a healthy level and methylation working optimally.
What is the MTHFR mutation?
Methylation gene mutations , such as the MTHFR variation, are closely associated with autoimmune-inflammation spectrum issues, and keeping homocysteine at a healthy level (not too high). If you have one or two mutations at the MTHFR C677t gene, your body is not as efficient at managing homocysteine.
What does it mean when your homocysteine level is high?
Homocysteine Levels: What They Mean + Why They Matter. If you worry about heart disease, you may have heard of something called homocysteine. Even though we all need some level of this amino acid in our bodies, when homocysteine (what is homocysteine) goes too high, you could be at a greater risk of autoimmune conditions, heart disease, ...
How is homocysteine regulated?
Homocysteine is regulated during a biochemical process known as methylation. Methylation acts like a big biochemical superhighway, influencing and helping to regulate your immune system, brain, hormones, and gut. The methylation process occurs about a billion times every second in your body, and if it isn’t working as well as it should, chances are, you will feel it. Methylation gene mutations, such as the MTHFR variation, are closely associated with autoimmune-inflammation spectrum issues, and keeping homocysteine at a healthy level (not too high).
How to lower homocysteine levels?
If you want to start lowering your homocysteine levels right away, you can begin by ensuring that you’re consuming enough B vitamins. Activated forms of folate (methylfolate), B6 (oyridoxyl-5-phosphate), and B12 (methylcobalamine) are the best options to ensure healthy methylation pathways.
How does homocysteine affect the brain?
If you are like most people, you fear dementia, and high homocysteine levels can affect the brain because it can be toxic to neurons (4) and other cells. (5) Normally, old and damaged cells do get flushed out of our systems from the autophagy process (which is our cells’ way of self-cleaning) to keep our brains healthy and avoid the premature death of healthy cells associated with cognitive decline. But did you know that many diseases that cause cognitive decline also have an autoimmune component?
What is the recommended level of homocysteine?
Some doctors aren't waiting for the final word and are recommending vitamin therapy when people have homocysteine levels of 20 micromoles per liter (mol/L) or above , especially if those people have or are at risk for atherosclerosis.
Can you lower homocysteine fast?
Not so fast. Lowering homocysteine doesn't mean much unless those reduced levels translate into reduced risk for the problems that elevated levels are thought to cause. Otherwise, you're just treating a blood test.
Can homocysteine be lowered?
Homocysteine is an amino acid in the blood, and elevated levels have been linked to dementia, heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. The good news: Homocysteine can be lowered easily and inexpensively with a trio of B vitamins — B6, B12, and folic acid.
Does B12 lower homocysteine?
In 2004, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study of 3,680 people who had suffered mild strokes that concluded a high-dose formulation of the B vitamins (25 milligrams of B6, 400 micrograms of B12, and 2.5 milligrams of folic acid) lowered homocysteine levels as expected, but had no effect on vascular outcomes. A Swed-ish study published in the May 2005 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition was similarly disappointing. Four months of B vitamins lowered the homocysteine levels of the 209 elderly (median age: 76) people in the study by almost a third, but didn't affect performance on a battery of tests designed to measure movement and cognitive abilities.
Is plasma homocysteine an independent risk factor?
Elevated total plasma homocysteine has been established as an independent risk factor for thrombosis and cardiovascular disease. A strong relationship between plasma homocysteine levels and mortality has been reported in patients with angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease. Homocysteine …
Is homocysteine a thiol?
A strong relationship between plasma homocysteine levels and mortality has been reported in patients with angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease. Homocysteine is a thiol containing amino acid. It can be metabolised by different pathways, requiring various enzymes such as cystathionine beta-synthase and methylenetetrahydrofolate ...
Can a drug affect homocysteine levels?
Medications may interfere with these pathways leading to an alteration of plasma homocysteine levels. Several drugs have been shown to effect homocysteine levels. Some drugs frequently used in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease, such as the fibric acid derivatives used in certain dyslipidaemias and metformin in type 2 ...
Does methotrexate increase homocysteine?
Interference with folate and homocysteine metabolism by methotrexate, nicotinic acid (niacin) and fibric acid derivatives, may lead to increased plasma homocysteine levels. Treatment with folate or vitamins B6 and B12 lowers plasma homocysteine levels effectively and is relatively inexpensive.
Overview
Diagnosis
- Homocysteine levels are commonly checked through blood tests, though doctors may also order urine samples for infants with a family history of the condition. Normal levels of homocysteine are between five and nine micromoles per liter (μmol/L). Individuals are diagnosed with elevated homocysteine, or hyperhomocysteinemia, when their levels reach between 10 and 100 μmol/L. B…
Toxicity
- High concentrations of homocysteine have a connection with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. These increased levels can contribute to plaque formation by damaging arterial walls and affect blood platelets by increasing the risk of clot formation.
Research
- While high homocysteine has negative effects on your heart, more research is required to confirm if it can actually cause cardiovascular disease. However, there is evidence to support the claim that individuals with elevated levels of homocysteine have double the risk of developing Alzheimers disease at some point in their lifetime.
Causes
- Increased levels of homocysteine can have a negative impact on your health, but what causes elevated homocysteine levels? Most commonly, an inadequate intake of B vitamins in combination with genetic factors can affect the bodys absorption and use of folic acid, which causes homocysteine levels to spike. Some other causes of elevated homocysteine l...
Prevention
- In addition to not eating foods with the right nutrients, the chances for developing a homocysteine deficiency increase as you age. Men tend to have a higher risk, especially those who smoke.
Prognosis
- Those that experience elevated homocysteine may be at a higher risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism as well as Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia.
Symptoms
- Infants who have inherited abnormalities that affect their levels of homocysteine can experience dislocation of the lens in their eye, a sunken chest, Marfan-like appearance (long, thin body type), mental retardation, seizures, and neonatal strokes. For these reasons, its important for infants to get tested early on for the disease, especially if they have a family history of elevated homocyste…
Effects
- While high levels of homocysteine can affect everyone, there are certain implications for women. Increased homocysteine has been more prevalent among women that have experienced pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, placental abruption, recurrent pregnancy loss, and giving birth to a small, low birthweight baby.
Risks
- Elevated levels of homocysteine can take its toll and cause lasting damage, even though there often arent many apparent symptoms. If you can identify with any of the risk factors, or if you have a family history of increased levels of homocysteine, be sure to check with your doctor and get you and you children tested.
Treatment
- This condition can be treated with vitamin supplementation and controlled by routine blood tests. So, if you are diagnosed with this condition, be sure to visit your doctor frequently and follow their recommendations.