Homocysteine is a toxic , amino acid not used in protein synthesis, but is part of methionine metabolism. The amount of homocysteine in your blood is one of the best indicators of how healthy you are. 38% of elderly persons, both male and female, have elevated homocysteine levels. Homocysteine occurs from the relative lack of Methionine and Vitamin B12 in the diets of vegetarians people and study shows 6% of vegetarians have elevated homocysteine level.
Toxic effects of Excess Homocysteine
that may increase
1- Cardiovascular disease
2- Atherosclrosis
3- Blood Clotting
4- Cholesterol deposition around the heart muscle
5- Progression of Aging Process
6- Aneurysm
7- Ischemic heart disease
8- Heart Attack; approximately 40% of all heart attacks are caused by elevated Homocysteine levels.
9- Stroke
10- Kidney stone
11- May increase many Cancer (Breast, Cervical)
12- Crohn’s disease
13- Ulcerative colitis
14- Cause Insulin resistance
15- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
16- Fibromyalgia
17- Stimulate the oxidation of LDL Cholesterol
18- Osteoporosis
19- Depression
20- Alzheimer
21- Dementia
22- Psoriasis
Substance may increase the production of Homocysteine
1- Fructose
2- Calcium-channel Blocker drug
3- Metformin
4- Methotrexate (causing the depletion of Folic acid)
5- Alcohol (Beer may not increase Homocysteine levels. This is due to the Vitamin B6 content of Beer inhibiting the usual alcohol (ethanol)-induced increase in Homocysteine levels.
6- Tabacco
7- Coffee
8- Vegetarian diet
9- Diabetic type 2
10- Hypothyroidism
11- Stress
Substances may lower Homocysteine levels
1- Amino acid (Arginine, Cystine, NAC, S-Adenosylmethionine, Serine, Taurine)
2- Dietary Fiber
3- Thyroxine may lower elevated Homocysteinelevels especially in Hypothyroidism patients.
4- Omega-3 Fatty acid
5- Selenium
6- Copper; by functioning as a cofactor for the methionine Synthase enzyme.
7- Aspirin
.
8- Folic acid; in form of Methyl Tetrahydrofolate (MTHF) form is required for the conversion of Homocysteine to methionine which prevents the accumulation of toxic levels of homocysteine):
9- Vitamin B12; may facilitate the conversion of Homocysteine back to methionine lowering elevated Homocysteine levels.
10- Vitamin B6, B2, and vitamin C
11- Vitamin E; may inhibit the ability of Homocysteine to stimulate the oxidation of LDL Cholesterol and inhibit the ability of Homocysteineto cause memory impairment.
12- Melatonin; inhibit the toxic effects associated with Homocyteine due to the antioxidant properties of Melatonin.
13- Curcumin
14- Exercise
15- Wine in moderation
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